HOMEGROWN

EXPLORING ENGLAND’S SKI RESORTS FROM

THE PENNINES TO THE LAKE DISTRICT

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RAISE YOUR ON-PISTE GAME WITH OUR
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YOUR SKI CLUB MAGAZINE

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CHEMMY ALCOTT, JOHN FALKINER, BRUCE GOODLAD + MEMBERS

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1 Cover ni2.indd 1 28/11/2018 17:32

 #U N I T E DBYAT T I T U DE
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We’re all about innovation. Since 1982, we’ve been seeking out new and
exciting technologies, brands and products, striving for excellence in
everything we do. Find stand out gifts for everyone and aim higher this
season. The mountains are calling. See you out there.
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sunweb.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:38
sunweb.indd 85 29/11/2018 10:38
 CONTENTSDECEMBER2018

In this issue…
18
A La Grave classic, one of David Baker’s Top Five
38
Border-hopping past and present in the PDS
54
Bikes and bites at piste-side stop in Hochgurgl

CLUBTALK ACTIONZONE INSIDEEDGE

11 Snowmail 30 Exposure 50 Fitness

14 News
18 My top five
With seasoned Leader David Baker
20 Mrs President
Chemmy Alcott’s brand new column
22 In the Stübli with…
Scottish supremo Blair Aitken
24 Guided by Goodlad
Our in-house mountain man’s tips
26 Departures
Escape on these small resort holidays
“We plunged into the deep, frolicking in
untracked terrain like playful children”
ANDREAS HOFER, PAGE 42
Michelle Parker gets steep and deep in
the Sierra Nevada backcountry
36 Home hills
England’s white and wonderful land,
complete with button lifts and huts
38 Smugglers’ tales
Franco-Swiss-border action, past
and present, in the Portes du Soleil
42 Backcountry Bulgaria
Andreas Hofer explores beyond
Bansko’s boundaries
Exercises to help you get ski fit
52 Technique
Mark Jones reveals the secrets to
smooth, precise, speedy carving
54 Perfect pitstop
Hochgurgl’s finest restaurant, plus
how to make white vin chaud
56 Book reviews
58 Resort report
Full details of this winter’s Leading
and Instructor-led Guiding
62 Gear
Outerwear, goggles, piste skis and
boots, plus beginner snowboards
88 Out and about
Click! Photos from the inaugural
White Haus gathering and the Ski Club
Industry Awards
94 Ski Club discounts
98 From the archive

From the co-editors

W
elcome! We’re pleased to bring you your new-look
Ski+board. We want this magazine to be your source
for everything Ski Club, while also bringing you
stories, gear reviews, interviews and photos to feed, nurture
and inspire your snow habit.
All your favourite pages are still here: Technique with
Mark Jones, Fitness with Craig McLean, off-the-beaten-track
adventuring with Andreas Hofer, a belter of a book review by
Arnie Wilson, Bruce Goodlad’s off-piste wisdom, the ever-
appealing Snow Wear pages, essential ski, boot and snowboard
reviews and a peek into the Ski Club archives.
You’ll also find pages that won’t look so familiar. More space
for your letters. Two new interview spots. Chemmy Alcott’s
column. Holiday inspiration. A series about mountain food.
A guide to Leading and Instructor-led Guiding, and to your
member discounts. Plus Out & About – which we’d love you
to contribute to (we’ve kicked them off with two autumn
Club events).
We have one quick favour to ask of you: could you help us
with a dilemma? The hot topic here at S+B magazine HQ right
now is: should we, or should we not, change our longstanding
name? For example, snowboarders, you might prefer we ditch
the ‘board’ and go with ‘ride’ (‘boarding’ is, after all, an out-of-
date term); or perhaps we should change the name entirely?
What would you call it instead? Email snowmail@skiclub.
co.uk with your suggestions, please! You might just be the one
who names it...
YOLANDA CARSLAW & NICOLA ISEARD, CO-EDITORS

6 skiclub.co.uk

06 Contents SB203 yc nl ni hm nl2 yc2 yc3 hj.indd 6 28/11/2018 21:29

bolie.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:40
 CLUBTALK

Welcome!
From Darren Neylon, Ski Club CEO
It’s an exciting time of year as I look forward to my first full
winter season with Ski Club. The nights are drawing in, I’m
seeing early photos of snow in resort on social media and
I’m turning my mind to who in my family I will politely nudge
to buy me a new pair of ski socks for Christmas… making
sure to observe the family rule of wearing all wearable ski gifts
through Christmas Day.
It has been a pleasure to get to know some of the members
and Leaders in recent months and I’ve enjoyed seeing so much
passion and enthusiasm for the Club. We introduced a new interactive approach
to our Leader Training Days and were pleased to tap into our Leaders’ experience DECEMBER 2018
and gather their valuable feedback. Cover photo by Oskar Enander
Who & where: Henrik Windstedt in Engelberg
The release of our 2018 Consumer Research Report was well received by the
snowsports industry. A record 66 companies took part, generating more than 23,000 CO-EDITORS
survey responses, also a record. The Industry Awards evening was also great fun Yolanda Carslaw & Nicola Iseard
with our energetic Honorary President, Chemmy Alcott, hurrying back from abroad MANAGING EDITOR
to present the awards and recognise the excellence of our industry partners. Harriet Johnston
harriet.johnston@skiclub.co.uk

I enjoyed watching young snowsports ART DIRECTOR

Amanda Barks Chapman
fans having fun at Bruce Goodlad’s DESIGN CONSULTANT

transceiver training sessions

Nicola Lang
ADVERTISING
Rich Evans
MEDIA SALES
Our presence at the Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Festival was a great success, Madison Bell
with many new members joining our Club. It was incredible to see festival revellers madisonbell.com
jack.daly@madisonbell.com
queuing around the corner to try their luck at the Ski Club’s spinning wheel
020 7389 0859
competition. I also enjoyed watching young snowsports fans having fun at Bruce
Goodlad’s transceiver training sessions, and of course the show was capped off by  PUBLISHER
Fall-Line Media Ltd, 4 Milnyard Square
a brilliant performance from Sunset Sons on the Ski Club main stage. Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate
Many months of hard work alongside our partner, Hippo Inns, culminated in the Peterborough PE2 6GX
recent launch of the Alpine-themed pub, the White Haus, in London. The launch
DISTRIBUTION
events were enjoyed by all and, with the Club’s memorabilia on display, the White Jellyfish Print Solutions
Haus will prove to be a terrific venue for future Ski Club social events. We plan to
Member of the Audit Bureau
pursue similar venue partnerships across the UK to accommodate all our members. of Circulations. Independently
We outlined our ambitious future strategy at the recent AGM, focusing on audited circulation of 20,787
expanding the services available to existing members and also attracting new (January to December 2017)
members, particularly younger members and families. We will need to be bold Issue 203 © Ski Club of Great Britain 2018
and innovative in our quest, and no doubt some reinvention will be required. Your ISSN 139-8826
future support would be most appreciated as we embark on a journey to reignite Ski+board is printed by Precision Colour
the pioneering spirit of the Club’s founders. Printing, Telford TF7 4QQ
As the festive season approaches, I wish everyone at Ski Club many happy ‘turns’
All material is strictly copyright and all rights
of the season and that your snowsport experiences are both safe and enjoyable. are reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced in whole or in part without the
prior written permission of the publisher. All
REASONS TO BE A SKI CLUB MEMBER prices are based on information available at the
time of going to press. Opinions expressed in
Ski with Leaders and use our Save money with hundreds of Ski+board are not necessarily those of the
Ski Club of Great Britain, nor does the publisher
Instructor-led Guiding service in year-round discounts (see page 94)
accept responsibility for advertising content.
many resorts (see pages 58-61) Access nine-day weather forecasts
Experience fantastic group holidays and historical snow reports for
with Ski Club Freshtracks and Mountain hundreds of resorts
Tracks – many of which have no single Get 15% off your Ski Club
supplement charges wintersports insurance policy

8 skiclub.co.uk

08 CEO page SB203 nl hm yc yc2 hj.indd 8 29/11/2018 14:09

serre chevaler.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:41
Untitled-1 1 12/11/2018 10:27:47
 SKI-IN & SKI-OUT +
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edelweiss.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:43


Email: snowmail@skiclub.co.uk Mail: The editors, Ski Club of Great Britain,
Connect House, 133-137 Alexandra Road, London SW19 7JY
WIN ! SWEDISH SLED
We’ve bagged a fantastic
bag worth £55
do le padded ski
ub
gh am , wi th two-way zips
from Ellis Bri to
ap to give away
s,
and compression str issue of S+B.
riter in ev ery
our star letter-w
skiclub.co.uk
Write to snowmail@
Star letter
Another Ziller Zimmer
In the last issue my eye was caught by
the item on an older member’s ski trip
to Zell am Ziller and the ‘invention’ of
the Ziller Zimmer (Nov 2018, p49).
I was sure I had seen one of these
devices before. A quick revision of one
of my American adaptive ski manuals
confirmed that I had.
The Zimmer-ski described by Penny
Dixon’s poem is known in America as a
Slider. It is, indeed, a ski-mounted
modification of the well known
walking aid and is used in adaptive ski
sessions for people with significant
balance challenges, who might use a
slider before graduating to hand-held
outriggers.
I should own up to being a Ski Club
Leader and adaptive instructor
working for Disability Snowsport UK.
As far as I know, sliders are not used
in the UK. So, although they’re made in
the US, there may be a chance for
Penny Dixon and friends to tweak the
design to avoid patent infringement
and, as in the poem, make their
fortunes from sales in Europe!
DUNCAN SPINK
Thank you for the brilliant idea and fascinating
feedback, Duncan. And congratulations – you’ve
won our Star Letter prize, a double padded ski bag
from Ellis Brigham, worth £55. Happy travels!
11 Letters SB203 yc nl hj yc2.indd 11
CLUBTALK
YOURLETTERS
excellent information. Any chance
I was intrigued by the article in of also showing the two countries
the November issue regarding the I’m planning to ski in: Austria and
Zeller Zimmer. Switzerland? Thank you.
As a result I thought I would send STEVEN HELLER, TORONTO, CANADA
you this photo (below) which we took Good point. Turn to page 16 to
a few years ago whilst staying at  the read how it works in those two
Ice Hotel in Sweden. rather vital ski nations.
This is obviously the next stage
on from the Zeller Zimmer as it is PLASTIC FANTASTIC
more akin to a push chair than I was disappointed to read your reply
a Zimmer frame. in the November 2018 magazine to
PETER WALKER the member asking whether the Ski
Thanks Peter, great picture. We’ve Club might consider using
seen something similar in the biodegradable wrapping when
Lofoten Islands in Norway, too, minus
the seat. Anyone else spotted this
sending out its magazines.
Even your comment at the end
kind of conveyance? Send us your indicates you have little faith in
photos and we’ll print the best! members recycling wrappers in
supermarket recycling facilities for
TIME FOR TERMS plastic bags. I find that the corn
I’ve just received the November issue starch wrapping used by other
of Ski+board (my first as a new organisations, such as the National
member). Great read! The ‘Principal Trust and RSPB, breaks down in my
school holidays’ chart on page 14 is home composter with no problem. 
 Peter Walker in
Sweden. Above,
the drawing
from p49 of our
November issue
WE’D LOVEBOXHEAD
TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Tell us what you’re planning, whether it’s an off-piste adventure
or a trip with the toddlers. Have you had a standout moment in the
mountains lately, or indeed a shocker? Or has something in the
magazine jogged a memory you want to share? Or maybe there’s
someone you want to praise or thank. Get in touch!
snowmail@skiclub.co.uk
December 2018 11
28/11/2018 21:34
 CLUBTALK

Carol The additional cost your supplier
quotes seems high. Have you sought
other quotes?
For example, a story on the
Mike
Printweek website (see tinyurl.com/
ydy5gbjq) relates how the
Birmingham-based company
Bakergoodchild offers a
Adam Kim Stephen starch-based 100%
compostable wrap.
A spokesman for the
We ask you... company told Printweek:
How do you celebrate “It does cost a little more
Christmas Day in the than regular wrap, but
as we see it this product
mountains? comes with a number
I had Wiener Schnitzel when I was last in of benefits and no
Austria for Christmas. Yum! disadvantages. On top of
PETER being eco-friendly, it has
a softer feel than plastic as
Take dog and picnic up the mountain. Bury well as a frosty finish that
champagne in snow then ski for a few hours …makes it appear like a
until dog is tired and champagne chilled. more premium product
CAROL than before.
“We have experienced
Ski! And sing carols in the cable car.
no disruption whatsoever
SIMON
in introducing this
We once took a Christmas cake out in a tin, product to our portfolio, as
and shared it with new friends from the ski there has been no need to
school in the pub. install new equipment or
ELIZABETH to augment our existing
kit. We will now look to
We used to take turkey and all the trimmings phase out plastic entirely
with us in a suitcase. More recently, it’s lunch as we move forward.”
in the Hospiz Alm in St Christoph and a Surely an organisation
seven-course dinner at the hotel. like the Ski Club should be
KIM leading the way in
environmental issues,
Listening to music over lunch at Les rather than making
Houches, with Mont Blanc in view. excuses? I hope you
STEPHEN change your mind!
LYNNE HARRIS
In Austria the big gig is Christmas eve. I take Thanks for the tip
a big bag of chocolates and drop a handful at Lynne. We’ll check
each lift station. Frohe Weihnacht! Then après. it out.
ALASTAIR
Shots in Cocorico, Val d’Isère! WHY NO WEIGHTS?
Reading the ski test (men’s all
MIKE
mountain, November issue) I simply
Answers from our Facebook groups – could not believe weight information
to join in, go to facebook.com/theskiclub is ‘not available’.
On a rainy day I looked the missing
weights up on internet. It took less
than one hour and Nordica/Tecnica
answered a mail within 48 hours.
As an alternative, I took a luggage
scale (it fits in a pocket and costs �20)
and checked my Dynastars,
deducted the weight of
the binding and voilà.
Here’s what I found:
Rossignol Experience
84: 3300g per pair
@ 176cm
Head Monster 88Ti:
2113g per ski @ 177cm
Völkl RTM 81 Carbon:
2875g per ski, including
binding, @ 177cm
Völkl RTM 81: 3122g per
ski, including binding,
@ 177cm
Armada Invictus 89:
1780g per ski @ 179cm
Nordica Navigator 85
(left): 3800kg per pair
@ 179cm
Now I am looking for
a light piste ski with
good grip on ice – that’s
a challenge.
If you have a spot free
for a tester, next season,
I’d be happy to join.
MICHAEL NOVOSAD
Point taken! We’re
afraid you’ll find
quite a few ‘not availables’
in this issue too. However,
the new magazine team’s
policy from the spring
issue onwards will be to
include all the weights we
can humanly gather. And
talking of testing, should
‘ordinary skiers’ be in the mix with our
Ski Club test team at the annual trial
of new equipment? Or do you like the
current system of only using highly
qualified instructors? We’re listening
– please tell us what you think!

CONTACT THE CLUB

Want to get in touch with the Ski Club? Call us at our Wimbledon HQ on the following direct-dial numbers:

Membership: 020 8410 2015 Ski Club Insurance: 0300 303 2610
Freshtracks holidays: 020 8410 2022 Mountain Tracks holidays: 020 8123 2978
General Enquiries: 020 8410 2000
To find out more about all of the above, plus for info on Leaders, Instructor-Led Guiding and discounts, go to… skiclub.co.uk
Got something to say? Share it with us… @TheSkiClub /theskiclub

12 skiclub.co.uk

11 Letters SB203 yc nl hj yc2.indd 12 28/11/2018 21:34

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elan/julbo.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:52

 CLUBTALK
CLUB NEWS
Club unveils
plans to
double
membership
by 2021
D
oubling membership,
revenue and
holidaymaker numbers
were among the ambitious plans
unveiled at the Ski Club AGM
last month. Ski Club staff,
council officers and members
gathered at 58 Victoria
Embankment to hear the year’s
reports and accounts, and chief
executive Darren Neylon,
chairman Malcolm Bentley
and treasurer Ian Holt outlined
the strategic plan for the next
three years.
Malcolm told the gathering:
“Darren has reorganised the
management of the club,
putting the emphasis on sales
and marketing and digital
marketing. Up to 30 people are
working at the Wimbledon office
during the winter season.”
Having joined in March this
year, it was Darren Neylon’s first
AGM and for some members,
their first interaction with
the senior figure. After a brief
introduction Darren unveiled a
vision in film format of how the
Ski Club will look in 2021, using
stills, video and his own real-
time voice-over.
In the mix are monthly
networking events at the White
Haus (which start this month,
see What’s On), mountain
safety roadshows, transceiver
14 skiclub.co.uk
14-16 News SB203_V2 ni yc.indd 14
u 58 Victoria
Embankment,
where the 'new
vision' film was
greeted with
enthusiasm
training, young people’s
activities, a Ski Club Inferno
team and partnerships with
universities. The watchwords
are ‘challenging’, ‘fun’ and
‘safe’. The club will appeal
to skiers and riders of all
ages, from grandchildren to
grandparents, in the mountains
and in the UK.
Darren said: “[By 2021] it’s a
12-month club rather than a
four-month club. It has become
a powerful voice. It’s involved in
athlete funding programmes.
There’s a new all-terrain
award. We need to be bold and
innovative to grow the club
across ages and demographics.
We will build something
upwardly mobile and inclusive,
which people are proud to be
part of. Most important is that
members are there because
they want to have fun.”
The film was received with
applause and enthusiasm in the
London venue. Fritz Janssen, a
long-time member, said: “You
have put together a vision. I
think it’s fantastic. We are small
in relation to that. Thank you for
helping deliver it.”
Another member commented:
“The timescale seems a bit
optimistic – though I do think
it’s the right idea.” Darren
replied: “We need a goal,
We need to be bold and innovative,
and build something upwardly mobile
that people are proud to be part of
otherwise we’ll never get
there. We’ve been engaging at
university level now for three
years, and we’re building an
offering. I haven’t had a closed
door yet. It’s like people have
been waiting for us to turn up.”
The Ski Club’s average
member age is 53; part of
the plan to widen its appeal
involves reaching out to
the offspring of members.
“[Within members’ families]
there’s a whole generation
of twentysomethings,” said
Darren. “You have to build that
product set where they say, ‘I
want to be a part of that.’ We
should be having engagement
points through key milestones
in skiers’ lives.
“We get in people’s heads and
they have a fond memory... and
we have to get the culture right
for each age group. There are
shining light opportunities.
We’ll start this ball rolling and
we’ll do it robustly.”
The Australian-born CEO
went on to explain that the travel
sector is heading towards the
‘immersive holiday experience’
– bringing together people with
similar abilities and ambitions,
and added: “What do we do well
and where do we take that? We
don’t want to be a Crystal or an
Inghams.
“We are about what fun you
can have on snow and we are
so set up to create that unique
experience.”
Malcolm Bentley added:
“We need to grow in size and
become relevant to many more
skiers and snowboarders. We
wish to see far more people
skiing, snowboarding and
socialising together through
a Ski Club connection.
“This is entirely consistent
with the guiding purpose of
the Club, established at its
foundation; indeed it will take
us back into some areas where
we were much more active in the
past, as well as [forward with]
new initiatives.”
Darren Neylon’s AGM
presentation is available
to view at skiclub.co.uk
28/11/2018 20:14
 The council
wants YOU!
T
he Ski Club is launching a drive to recruit dynamic
new officers to its 10-strong council. Kim Moss
and Mark Borland had been due to retire at the
AGM last month, but as there were no candidates for
election, both have agreed to stay on until replacements
are found.
The Club hopes to find new candidates in the first half
of 2019, and council are seeking ongoing applications. The
role of council is to provide support for the Ski Club and
ensure its long-term survival, stability and growth.
Calls this year have been seeking proposals from those
with business experience, skills and commitment, and
industry or business contacts to contribute towards good
stewardship and growth of the Club.
Elected council members generally volunteer one or
two days a month, meeting most months at the Ski Club
headquarters in Wimbledon.
Alongside Kim and Mark, the current council officers are
Malcolm Bentley (chairman), Ian Holt (treasurer), Chris
Radford, Andrew Poodle, Bob West, Bridget Cassey, Dave
Davenport and Joanna Milner-Percy.
Ski Club Leader Bridget Cassey, who was elected to
the council in 2015, told Ski+board: “Joining the council
is a great way to have your finger on the pulse of the ski
industry, and get really involved with the Club. You have
the opportunity to make a real difference and there are a
lot of exciting things going on at the moment. With the new
chief executive and a new clear strategy for the future it’s
an exceptionally exciting time to be involved.”
Your application should include:
Your name, address, telephone number and email address.
The names of your proposer(s). You must be proposed by either one
current council member, or any two current members of the Ski Club.  store at 8.15pm on 9 January. The event is an essential for anyone
A summary (maximum 200 words) of the skills and experience you are
able to bring to the council if elected, and what you would want the Club
to achieve during your time in office.
A high-resolution photo of yourself attached to your application email,
for use alongside your election summary.
Please email your application to nominations@skiclub.co.uk
or post it to Council Nominations, Ski Club of Great Britain,
Connect House, 133-137 Alexandra Road, Wimbledon SW19 7JY.
Go to skiclub.co.uk for more details.
PHOTO TEKLA SZOCS
 This could be you, talking business with Mr Holt (centre)…
14-16 News SB203_V2 ni yc.indd 15
WHAT’S ON
Want to keep up with fellow skiers and
snowboarders? Or just want to know what’s
going on at home and abroad? Here are just
some of the events coming up in the next
few months. For more keep an eye on
skiclub.co.uk/events
2-15 December SKI CLUB LEADERS’ COURSE
In full swing in Tignes as this drops through your postbox,
with 24 keen new candidates being put through their paces.
2-29 December JANET JOHNSON ART ON SHOW
Ski Club member and Alpine artist Janet Johnson is showing some
of her works at Fosse Gallery’s Christmas Exhibition in
Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
9 December PHOTO EXHIBITION CLOSES
Last chance to see GB downhill legend Konrad Bartelski’s incredible
backcountry photos at Wimbledon Fine Art gallery.
12 December & 9 January MEMBER MEET-UPS
Ski Club council officer Joanna Percy-Milner will be hosting drinks at
the White Haus for members every second Wednesday of the month.
The first gathering will be on 12 December, before events in the new
year on 9 January and 13 February. From 6.30pm in the Pery Room at
the White Haus, 17 Farringdon St.
16 December SKI SUNDAY STARTS
Can we wait? No! But we’ll be switching to Eurosport well before then
for Alpine World Cup action…
9 January OFF-PISTE AWARENESS TOUR
Henry’s ever-popular Off-piste Awareness Tour rounds off its annual
series of UK talks with a final event in Ellis Brigham’s Covent Garden
who’s hoping to ride off-piste this season, and covers mountain
awareness and building knowledge and confidence in off-piste
terrain. Book tickets online through the Ski Club website to get
a 20% discount.
December & January WARREN MILLER FILM TOUR
Grab some friends and get to the latest Warren Miller film, Face of
Winter. The UK-wide tour runs into the New Year with screenings from
11 December in Aberdeen, right through to 24 January in Sheffield.
Head to skiclub.co.uk to get 10% off tickets.
19 January LAUBERHORN DOWNHILL RACE
Catch it live on Eurosport or on Ski Sunday the following day!
19-26 January FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BEGINS
Hakuba, Japan, is the first venue for this challenging freeride series.
In February it moves to Kicking Horse (Canada) and Fieberbrunn
(Austria).
26 January INFERNO DOWNHILL RACE, MÜRREN
There’s always a Club contingent at this superb annual Swiss meeting
of 1,800 catsuit- and fancy-dress-clad amateur racing hopefuls. Held
on the same day as Kitzbühel’s Hahnenkamm downhill... and just
as exciting.
27-29 January BRITISH SCHOOLGIRLS’ RACES, FLAINE
We mention this because it’s their 60th birthday this year.
Many happy returns!
December 2018 15
28/11/2018 20:14
 CLUBTALK

Alpine pub hosts

CLUB SETS UP FRENCH ARM
A new ‘branch’ of the club has been registered in France.
Ski Club of Great Britain – France is to provide a formal

après-AGM party
presence for the Club there. The entity will provide a
‘home’ for the Ski Club there and a focus for members, as
well as protecting the Club’s operations against potential
Brexit impact. More information to come!

GOING UP...
At the AGM Malcolm Bentley presented some facts and
figures for the year; he acknowledged growth in holiday
numbers for both Freshtracks and Mountain Tracks, as
well as an increase in members buying insurance policies.
Leader and Instructor-led Guiding days have risen, too.
PHOTO TEKLA SZOCS

 Malcolm
Bentley (left),
Fritz Janssen and
Darren Neylon at
The White Haus
Dozens of members gathered at London’s new Alpine-themed pub for the
inaugural Ski Club gathering there following last month’s AGM. The White
Haus, on Farringdon Street, whose walls and windows are decorated with
Club memorabilia, has been set up by Hippo Inns and is a partner venue for
the Ski Club.
The get-together took place in its cellar bar, known as the Pery Room
(named after former Ski Club president the Hon EC Pery, Earl of Limerick).
Decoration includes vintage skis, trophies, vintage photos and Alpine
artworks. The Club plans to host regular gatherings there, starting on 12
December (see What’s On, p15).
Beers brewed in the Alps are available on tap, there’s vin chaud on the
menu and the food has an Alpine twist, with tartiflette, schnitzel and tarte
aux myrtilles among the à la carte offerings.
Malcolm Bentley, council chairman, said: “The White Haus has the look
and feel of the Ski Club. It’s full of great history and memorabilia and will
become a really good meeting point for members.”
For photographs from the gathering, see p88.
SWISS AND AUSTRIAN TERMS
Absent from last issue’s table of school holidays were
Switzerland and Austria. Both have holidays from 22 Dec
until 5 Jan, then it gets complex. Five of Austria’s nine
regions have a break from 9-16 Feb; the other four are
split equally between the preceding and following week.
All Austrian areas then break from 16-23 March.
In Switzerland, cantonal holidays are spread from 26
Jan to 16 March (yes, really), with a concentration from
23 Feb to 9 March, followed by a similarly scattered set
of holiday weeks from 6 April till the season end. Only
5-26 Jan and 23 March to 6 April are holiday-free.
Happy trip-hunting!
EXPLORE AUSTRIA’S LARGEST
SKI AREA
Season Two of the Ski Club’s ‘The Locals’ Project’ (TLP)
film series reveals our local’s guide to the SkiWelt Wilder
Kaiser (which includes resorts such as Ellmau, Söll and
Westendorf). From fairytales involving witches to skiing
at night, our video team find there’s much more to the

Take the trinity
In a new policy introduced by the Ski Club’s
Alpine safety advisor Bruce Goodlad, members
who ski off-piste with the club will have to carry
the trinity of safety kit; a transceiver, shovel and
probe. Members can continue to rent
transceivers from the Club, but need to supply
their own shovel and probe, either by buying or
hiring. The Club recommends a shovel with a
metal blade, and a probe with a minimum length
of 240cm. Models with a wire core and self-lock-
ing mechanism are best.  Heading off-piste? Make
Lockwoods and many other retailers offer member sure you take the trinity of
discounts – see skiclub.co.uk/discounts or turn to p94. safety kit with you
SkiWelt than meets the eye. Kev Harris is our guide as
the team explores the 280km of pistes and some of the 77
mountain restaurants in this fantastic Tyrolean favourite.
youtube.co.uk/thesnowcast
AWARDS NIGHT REVELRY
Banff, Ski Safari and Lockwoods were among the winners
at the Ski Club’s Industry Awards in Chelsea. Prizes were
presented to the tour operators, airlines, resorts and
retailers who ranked highest in the Ski Club’s consumer
research survey, which was completed by more than
23,000 snowsports fans across the UK. Ski Club CEO
Darren Neylon said: “It’s fantastic that the information
gathered allows us to recognise those resorts and
companies that do an outstanding job.”
See p88 for snaps of the event

 Revellers enjoyed après-ski

hosted by the Ski Club at the
Telegraph’s Ski and Snowboard GO SNOW CRAZY AGAIN
Festival in Battersea Park in late Former Ski+board editor and veteran ski journalist Arnie
October. The 500 tickets for the Wilson has had his classic Ski Club book re-published
Sunset Sons gig sold out swiftly.
– just in time for Christmas. Snow Crazy, originally
More than 1,000 people stopped
in at the Ski Club’s stand, and the published in 2003 for the club’s 100th anniversary,
festival featured a Ferris wheel revolves around tales of derring-do from the early
and even the chance to ski – on pioneers, from the club’s inception in 1903 onwards.
an artificial revolving slope. This cracking read is available from TSL Books
(tslbooks.uk/product-tag/snow-crazy) at £9.86. Look
out for a re-review in a future issue of S+B.

16 skiclub.co.uk

14-16 News SB203_V2 ni yc.indd 16 28/11/2018 20:15


NEWS
Chalets hit
by raft of
EU laws
Whatever course Brexit takes, new
EU laws mean holidaymakers will
notice some changes in the chalet
world, says Ben Clatworthy
D Ultimately more self-catering holidays
eal or no deal, chalet
companies are getting a
taste of how the travel
industry might have to operate
in the post-Brexit world, with
tough new rules regarding
staffing already tearing apart
the traditional chalet model.
Legislative changes in the EU
dictate that so-called ‘posted
workers’ – temporary staff hired
by companies to work in other
EU countries – are entitled to the
same minimum pay as native
workers and must be provided
with accommodation that meets
local standards. The new
regulations were adopted by the
European parliament in May.
Seasonnaires will also be
subject to the EU working time
directive, which limits the
working week to 35 hours. Any
overtime must be paid at a
higher rate and workers are
entitled to two days off a week.
Many Britons will arrive at
chalets this year to find the
traditional model of six catered
evenings is no more. Many
companies have quietly cut their
offering to five nights, meaning
u The chalet
host: a job that
doomsayers
predict could
die out
17 PIX TO RELINK News SB203 yc nl hm yc2 nl2 .indd 17
holidaymakers will be required
to eat out on two evenings.
On the record, operators say
they welcome the ‘clarity’ the
ruling provides on posted
workers; although there may
be bigger storm clouds on the
horizon once the Brexit
transition period ends.
FROM SIX TO FIVE MEALS
Hotelplan, which owns
Inghams, Esprit and Ski Total,
has cut its catered chalet
holidays by more than 11,000
this season, although the
company says these will be
replaced with apartments and
hotels, so overall capacity
remains largely the same.
A spokeswoman for Hotelplan
said: “In line with other tour
operators, we will offer breakfast
daily and five afternoon teas and
dinners. On two evenings guests
will be free to enjoy local cuisine,
something which received a
favourable response during
recent research with loyal Esprit
guests. Chalet staff pay is
increasing due to regulatory
changes, and as a result, rather
are likely to come to the market as
operators look to cut their wage bill
than simply continue to increase
prices guests pay, which are
already under pressure due to
currency fluctuations, the
operators will offer this new
catering arrangement.”
Off the record, some tour
operators say complying with
the new regulations will
increase their wage bill by 300
per cent. Seasonnaires in the
past were typically paid up to
£100 a week and given one day
off. This was accepted practice
as workers were given bed,
board, lift pass and insurance.
Doomsayers predict the
catered chalet holiday could be
all but wiped out post-Brexit,
especially in a scenario where
the UK is unable to post workers
overseas. Others believe it will
be possible to staff chalets using
workers from other EU
countries, such as Ireland.
According to Seasonal
Businesses in Travel, a lobby
group that represents more than
200 outbound British tour
companies, more than 25,000
seasonal jobs (comprising winter
and summer) could be at risk in
the event of a no-deal.
Ultimately, more self-catering
holidays are likely to come to the
market as operators – especially
ßNext issue of S+B: how are ski instructors
preparing for Brexit? Chris Exall reports
CLUBTALK
those with long property rental
contracts on chalets – look to cut
their wage bill without
drastically cutting supply.
OUT ON THE SLOPES
What about ski hosting, that
other cherished tradition of
British tour operators? S+B has
reported throughout the Le Ski
saga, which began in 2012 when
a rep was arrested in Méribel for
allegedly teaching. French law
dictates that only qualified ski
instructors can be paid for
teaching, leading or guiding.
Le Ski said its rep was simply
showing guests around, but
in 2013 a French court concluded
the law had been broken. Last
year the Supreme Court in Paris
upheld the ruling against Le Ski.
“All along we have argued on
the grounds of EU laws,” said
Le Ski’s managing director Nick
Morgan, “but there is now
no point taking this to the
European Commission with
Brexit looming.”
Related to this is the Ski Club’s
move three years ago to
PHOTOS INGHAMS/DON WALES
Instructor-Led Guiding in
France, and also now in St
Anton, which has developed into
a highly successful programme
on and off piste (see page 60).
December 2018 17
28/11/2018 20:26
 CLUBTALK
My top five
David Baker, who has been leading for the Ski Club since 1969, names
his favourite runs of all time – on piste, off-piste and… from an Alaska heli
RFS, VALDEZ In spring 1989 I went to Alaska with
1 three other Leaders. We stayed in Valdez, 40
minutes from the heli pick-up at Thompson Pass.
It was a small operation: five to a helicopter. You’ll
understand what RFS stands for if I say it’s really quite
steep. We did it on day three and for me it encapsulated the
week – amazing, and never to be repeated. As we arrived a
group of instructors from La Plagne were going home with
long faces as they’d only had half a day’s skiing in six. We
had glorious weather and got five-and-a-half. Our guide
had once won the world extreme skiing title and he took
us, on a snowboard, into extraordinary terrain, some of it
over 50°, and not a tree in sight. It was the first time I’d
skied sluff, and they showed us how you do half a dozen
turns, then cut right or left as it trundles gently down.
VENTINA, CERVINIA I always look forward to
2 this classic from the Swiss-Italian border to
Cervinia. It follows the glacier then drops to the
right near the Valtournenche turn-off. It’s bluey-red, wide,
cruisey and flattering, and you can put in massive great
turns, especially towards the bottom. I love doing it with
a group when you know how they ski; you can also take
people who aren’t that confident as there are no drop-offs
or sudden changes of direction. Very occasionally I’ve
done the full 11km with a group without stopping.  the six-man chair, towards Rotenboden. You duck under
COIRE NA CISTE, AVIEMORE The main section
3 at Cairngorm now is the funicular then you’re up
onto Ptarmigan. The next coire goes down to
a car park where there used to be a chair up the West Wall.
Depending on the snow conditions, you can go down a
huge gunbarrel with 30-40ft sides. A number of us from
PHOTO RED BULLCONTENT POOL / NIC ALEGRE
18 skiclub.co.uk
18 Top five SB203 yc nl hm yc hj.indd 18
 Steeps and blue Edinburgh Ski Club used to rent cottages at Aviemore for
skies: David timed the season. Once a month, we’d ski with an instructor who
his visit to Valdez, loved to push us, and do what we called ‘line astern’. Six or
Alaska, just right eight of us would follow him down within a ski’s length of
each other. We’d drop down one side and up the other,
turning 180 degrees. Fast. Those were fantastic days. The
food wasn’t great but the company and the views were.
ST CHRISTOPHE RUN, LA GRAVE From the top
4 of the drag-lift at La Grave you head towards Les
Deux Alpes, then dive to the left. The first time
I did it in amazing snow, grinning all the way down the
1000m of wonderful even pitches to the valley floor. It
flattens, then it’s a couple of miles’ push down the valley.
Towards the end on the left are ice-cliffs and you see
people climbing there. At the restaurant at the bottom
there’s no menu: you get what you get, which is fantastic
rustic food. A bus takes you to Les Deux Alpes and you
take a chair right back up, then drop back into La Grave.
The second time I did the run, the snow turned to
breakable crust 100ft down and we had to work very hard. 
ROTENBODEN, ZERMATT I do this at the end of
5 the day, taking the last train up the Gornergrat.
On the blue run down, you turn left after the top of
the railway and there’s a walking and sledging track. It’s a
wide rolling piste that’s a joy to meander down: anyone
can do it, but not many do. As the lifts are closing and the
sun is setting behind the Matterhorn it’s a fantastic way
to finish a day. Once, my now dear wife and I were skiing
down gently and having a cuddle. She said, “Why is this
guy behind us?” The pisteur was trying to go home!
DAVID BAKER FACTFILE
David did the Leaders’ Course... in 1969 in Davos,
aged 17. “My month there, including the course fee, cost
£150,” he says.
His first Leading slot... was Seefeld. “Then Champéry
and Wengen, then I was the first Ischgl rep in 1976.”
Most recent slot? A Freshtracks trip to Ponte di Legno.
“It was bucketing with rain in Milan, but the next morning
we had mid-thigh deep powder.”
Fave mountain meal? “Bündnerfleisch/viande séchée
– preferably with cheese, gherkins and walnuts.“ 
Top tipple? “After skiing I’ll down a large panaché
(lager shandy). At the social hour I’ll have a Fendant.“
28/11/2018 21:10
 Descent to the Vallée Blanche, oil on canvas 30 x 30 cm

JANET JOHNSON
ALPINE ARTIST
www.janetjohnsonart.co.uk

View Janet Johnson’s work at the Fosse Gallery Artists Christmas Exhibition.
Preview on December 2 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and continuing to December 29.
Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds.
www.fossegallery.com

JJohnson_Fall Line_2018_page_ad_final6.indd
janet jonson.indd 84 1 23/10/2018
29/11/2018 20:46
10:54
 CLUBTALK

MRS PRESIDENT SAYS…

Just let it snow!

Chemmy Alcott confesses to an obsession with pre-season snowfall,
wherever in the world it might be coming down – even though family
expansion means her Christmas will be spent in probably rainy London

E
veryone visualises a snowy Christmas. Cards u Here’s to
show idyllic scenes of snow gently falling believing in a
outside windows as children hurry downstairs proper solid base
to see if Santa has nibbled his mince pie and left them beneath the
powder this
goodies. Sometimes you can even find images or paintings
winter – it might
of local snowy scenes – my favourite is of Richmond Park
even happen
covered in sparkling snow – because this was the only
place I’ve skied outdoors in the UK…
I struggle to remember the last time my home had a
snowflake fall on Christmas day. As I write, though, the
odds for a London white Christmas are higher than for
a long time at 4-1. (The best odds in the UK for cities is
Glasgow at 2-1.) Surely this is fantasy? Evidence of the past

PHOTO MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN

few winters shows a trend for delayed winters – we used
to expect the cold to set in from November to March.
Now it’s more likely we’ll start reaching for extra layers
around January and keep the winter wardrobe at the
ready until mid-April. 
So why is this year different? Am I another ridiculously
over-positive British wintersports fan making optimistic
predictions… Is this the year, the winter we have been
waiting for? Possibly, but actually there is a little science
out there backing up my beliefs.  and putting out into the universe what you want to
Forecasters this autumn broke the news that El Niño
could trigger ice storms and Arctic blasts at the start of
December. So what is El Niño? Well, for a skier or a
snowboarder it is very much our friend – the biggest
fluctuation in the earth’s climate system and known to
trigger extreme weather patterns in Britain and around
the rest of the globe – essentially a weather system that
it is linked to colder than average winter weather.
ASK THE BOOKIES
Bookmaker Coral has current odds at 6-4 for the coldest
winter since records began  and forecaster James Madden
has said: “The period between Christmas and New Year is
likely to bring some major low-pressure systems … from
the Atlantic. These will clash with cold air … bringing
crippling snowfall. Although we must allow for some
deviation as it is still some time away, we are earmarking
the Christmas period as bringing some potentially
hazardous weather conditions and widespread snow.”
Turning to what this might mean for skiing, for the last
few winters we have all been excited by autumn dumps of
snow across the Alps and beyond. With the exception of
last year, the temperatures then rose, so the new snow
merely came and went. This year the forecast is for
consistently dropping temperatures.
So, I reckon, any snow that arrives is likely to stay, pack
down and make a base. Not only is this great for the
potential of Christmas skiing and snowboarding but it also
means that mountain experiences should be safer because
new snow will have a base to stick to making a tough
surface, and further new snow less likely to slip or crack.
Of course, who knows? I am a big fan of a phenomena
known as ‘the Secret’, which is all about laws of attraction
happen. Believing it so much that it is bound to happen.
So even though this Christmas I will be in probably
drizzly London waddling around trying to induce labour
so that I can get back to where I belong (the mountains!) I
won’t be bitter. I will be a bigger person and visualise all of
you waking up to a glimmering white Christmas with an
abundance of powder so that everyone (even those
suffering from overindulgence on Christmas Eve) has the
opportunity to make fresh tracks!
ßChemmy Alcott is the Ski Club’s honorary president
What Christmas skipowder,
holidays look like…
Face shots from fresh perfectly groomed pistes
Ice skating on real outdoor mountain lakes
Hot tubs and Glühwein as the snow falls gently around you
Opening amazingly thoughtful exquisite presents around a roaring fire
How those staying in the UK can get the Christmas
Face shots from fresh powder, perfectly groomed pistes buzz…
Snow-dome action or continuous skiing in an urban hill (like Chelski)
Pop-up ice skating (resembling the M25 at rush hour)
Outdoor swims in a heated lido, capturing the perfect Instagram shot
without including hundreds of people
Opening amazingly thoughtful exquisite presents around a roaring fire
My
Faceuber-pregnant
shots from freshChristmas 2018…groomed pistes
powder, perfectly
Obsessively watching you all on social media 
Rewatching Dancing on Ice vids
Sneaking a quick bath with a raspberry leaf tea between toddler naps
Luxurious presents replaced by practical new-mum saviours

20 skiclub.co.uk

22 Mrs president yc.indd 20 28/11/2018 21:41

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skitees mojo.indd 84 29/11/2018 10:56

 CLUBTALK

IN THE STÜBLI WITH...

John Falkiner
Steep skiing legend, IFMGA mountain guide, stunt skier – the Aussie has spent 50 years
exploring all corners of the globe from Iran to Iceland. Here he talks about how it all began

MY JOB IN A NUTSHELL
Essentially my job as a mountain guide is to create
interesting journeys to mountainous regions, and deliver
challenging yet achievable adventures, operating within
acceptable safety margins.
guy; I was apparently very good at falling!). Over time my
inquisitive nature led me further from the resorts and into
the mountains, and I found myself skiing and telemarking
in the Himalayas, the Tian Shan mountains, and bagging
many first descents in the European Alps, too.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB

I must surely put the blame on my father who, while at
school in England pre-WWII, was invited to go ‘sheeing’
in Austria. He fell in love with the sport, but unfortunately
the war got in the way of him pursuing this new found
passion. On returning to Australia after being a RAAF
Spitfire pilot and four years as a prisoner of war, he was
ready to have some fun. My father introduced me to the
mountains when I was five years old, not realising that for
this child of the Australian bush, coming from the flattest
country on the planet, he was planting a seed of adventure
that has kept me fascinated for over 50 years.
My biggest satisfaction is to take people ‘outside of their
 What to do box’, introducing them to the mountains and cultures that
when you’re surround them. It is not always about the summit or the
brought up in difficulty, but the journey through the mountains and just
the bush? Head being there with very few distractions, and to watch their
to the hills… stresses dissolve as the journey progresses.
THE HARDEST PART IS...
Dealing with peoples’ expectations and inflexibility of
their goals, realistic or unrealistic, and the responsibility
of getting there and back safely.

MY TYPICAL DAY IF I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE PLACE

I am spoilt living in the heart of the European Alps, at the TO SKI FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE
junction of the borders of Switzerland, Italy and France. The uncrowded mountainous regions of our planet. That’s
Within 15 minutes of my house, in a small farming village if I’m not ski touring out of my back door...
called Chamoille, I can be rock climbing, walking,
mountaineering or – if snow is on the ground – even ski FUTURE PLANS
touring from my front door. Depending on the time of the I have many, however I’m reluctant to share too much, so
year all of these activities are definitely part of my day. I don’t find too many others planning trips to the same
When guiding in my home region, my philosophy is destinations before I have a chance to get there! However,
to avoid crowds and the major resorts such as Verbier or  The name’s the regions of the world where there is cultural interest but
Chamonix. I meet my clients (mostly private groups or Bond: 1970s bad little ski culture (few lifts) and beautiful mountains are
individuals of Swiss, French, Italian and British origin) guy to be precise always being sought.
and we drive to smaller resorts or through the tunnel to
Italy, where we might get a single ride to the top of the
local lifts and use it as a jumping off point for ski touring.
Other times my guiding takes me further afield – this
winter I will be working in Japan, Greece and Iceland.
My days often also involve music. Another guide friend
and I have formed a duo called The Lost Guides and
we play at local restaurants and functions; it’s a great
contrast to the responsibilities of ski guiding and provides
a different type of challenge.

HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER SO FAR

PHOTOS KONRAD BARTELSKI

Over 45 years as a professional in the mountains there

have been many phases and highlights. For example,
competing in the ’70s during the early development
of freestyle, when I was a part of the European K2
Demonstration Team. This lead to ski instruction,
coaching, and working as a stunt man on a number of
films, including two Bond movies (mostly as the bad

22 skiclub.co.uk

22 Stuebli column SB203 hm ni hj final.indd 22 28/11/2018 21:45

23.indd 84 29/11/2018 11:07
 CLUBTALK
GUIDED BY GOODLAD
Mountain guide Bruce Goodlad
on all things off-piste
First steps to freedom
Know somebody who yearns for powder turns but isn’t sure where to start? Or are you
that somebody? Follow these tips for a smooth transition to the soft stuff
T
here is a common evolution in snowsports. We
start with tentative slides on a groomed piste. As If it goes wrong just stop, regain
we develop we gain skills and confidence to travel
to different resorts and become immersed in the mountain
your composure and start again
and ski culture that can easily take over your life. Many
people are happy to keep their riding to the prepared and
controlled piste, but some are tempted into the sidecountry,
seduced by the idea of floating through powder or making
fresh tracks in a pristine landscape far from lifts and
crowds. If you take this to its conclusion you discover
touring and need never ride a lift again.
While there may be more aspiration than action for
some, everyone needs to start somewhere. Pistes are
predictable, even if they vary. Freshly groomed new
snow makes you feel like a hero. End-of-day chop is more
challenging. Hard snow is another challenge, but if you
can hold an edge using stiff piste skis it’s exhilarating.
With the right kit, off-piste feels natural, and before
you know it you’ll be flying. A wider ski with a large soft
BRUCE’S TIPS FOR OFF-PISTE IMPROVERS
How to I get up from a fall?
Falling is physically one of the most limiting factors in learning to ski
off-piste. When you stop falling you have more energy for skiing and
your improvement becomes exponential. Try and fall uphill, but if you end up
with your skis above you, roll over and get your skis below you. It may feel
undignified but it’s effective. Assuming you have all your kit, make a cross
with your poles on your uphill side to push off. If the snow is really deep
plunge the tail of your downhill ski into the snow to make a platform.
Now I’m up, how do I find my lost ski?
Modern wide skis are easier to find than old-school narrow ones as they
dive less. When you crash, look uphill. If you have travelled during the
fall start your search where the crash initiated, which may be further up than
you think. Take your remaining ski off and use the tail to slice horizontally
GRAPHIC SHUTTERSHOCK.COM
across the snow. If you can’t find it, imagine what trajectory it took when it
came off: a ski can travel a long way under the snow. Often a person behind
can spot a ski as they have more perspective.
I’ve found my skis. How do I put them back on?
Sink the tails of the skis into the snow and stamp them down. Put the
downhill ski on first. You may want to step this ski downhill once it is on
and use the platform you have created for the uphill ski.
24 skiclub.co.uk
26 Goodlad column SB203 yc nl hm yc2.indd 24
tip makes soft snow easier and more fun than a piste ski,
whose narrow waist will sink while its stiff tip struggles to
rise back to the surface.
Off-piste you’re exposed to increased hazard. On the
piste, ski patrol is responsible for avalanche safety and
control. Off-piste (at least in Europe) they don’t have
responsibility so be aware of this – even if you’re just
popping off an innocuous-looking pitch off the side. Learn
to read and interpret the avalanche forecast and ski with
someone who understands how to manage the hazard (an
instructor, mountain guide or very experienced friend).
You also need avalanche safety equipment – a transceiver,
shovel and probe – and must learn how to use them.
When making your first off-piste turns, stack the
conditions in your favour by choosing days with fresh
snow and blue skies. Crusty snow and poor visibility
makes off-piste much harder and may put you off (and
with this in mind use decent goggles so you can read the
snow and choose where to turn).
First forays can be off the side of the piste, then a little
further away, then a bit further. Early on, don’t venture
more than a short traverse from the piste so if it goes wrong
you can easily return to the piste.
The hardest things to get the hang of are linking turns,
not building up too much speed and regaining control
when your weight tips back. If it goes wrong just stop,
regain your composure and start again. Most people aren’t
strong enough to get back on the middle of the ski once
their weight has gone back, but keeping your arms well
forward helps position your weight over the ski in the first
place. If you are gaining speed, focus on finishing each
turn properly before starting the next.
And finally, off-piste is more tiring both mentally and
physically than piste, so when you’re losing it just stop.
Get back on the piste and reset, ready for the next day.
ßBruce is Alpine Safety Advisor to the
Club and an IFMGA Mountain Guide
28/11/2018 21:12
26 Goodlad column SB203 yc nl hm yc2.indd 25 28/11/2018 21:12
 SKI • TREK • CLIMB
#CHOOSEYOURCHALLENGE
Contact us to find out
about our latest availability
on 020 8123 2978
or visit mountaintracks.co.uk

house adst.indd 77 29/11/2018 11:01

 CLUBTALK

DEPARTURES

Smaller is
beautiful
Who needs 400km of motorway
pistes? We round up the best trips
to the off-radar little places that
offer cosiness and charm – as well HEILIGENBLUT
as fantastic peaceful skiing BEST FOR DAY TOURS
Heiligenblut (above) is a powder-lover’s paradise, with 1,500
acres of epic freeride terrain and fantastic high-Alpine tours
to 3,000m summits, many with Austria’s highest
ZELL AM ZILLER mountain, the Grossglockner, as a backdrop. The village
is picturesque, and with 55km of pistes and 12 lifts it’s far
BEST FOR CRUISEY OLDER SKIERS removed from the humdrum of a big resort. Heiligenblut is
OK, so this ski area is not exactly petite at 143km, new to the club’s Freshtracks programme: the group will use
but you get a real dose of cosiness – or to give it the lifts to gain height then will set out on day tours most days.
proper Austrian term, Gemütlichkeit – in the
Who with? Freshtracks (skiclub.co.uk/ski-club-holidays)
Zillertal. Staying in the four-star Posthotel in
When? 19-26 January, 26 January-2 February 2019
picturesque Zell am Ziller, a valley town with a
Who for? Advanced and expert off piste skiers
cobbled square, rather than in more mainstream
How much? £1,499, incl six days with a mountain guide
Mayrhofen, this trip is in the Freshtracks Peak
Experience portfolio. A Ski Club Leader will take
the group exploring each day, with the emphasis
on gentle and confidence-boosting action.
Who with? Freshtracks (skiclub.co.uk/ski-club-holidays)
When? 17-24 March 2019
Who for? Over 60s, intermediate level
How much? £1,450, incl spacious ensuite twin bedroom
for single occupancy

SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA

BEST HIDDEN GEM
The Dolomites are renowned for staggering scenery – but
where best to explore them from? San Martino di Castrozza is
a village near the top of Passo Rolle with fantastic skiing as
well as a rich history. The Irish naturalist John Ball, first
president of the Alpine Club, helped put the resort on the map
by setting up a hotel for mountaineers in 1873. Marked runs
extend to 60km but the highlight is the off-piste, which is
easily accessible and offers everything from tree runs to
couloirs. The area hosts the annual Arc’teryx King of the
Dolomites contest that challenges athletes and photographers
PHOTO ARC’TERYX/STEFAN SCHLUMPF

to deliver the best freeride photo over a weekend. San Martino

runs on renewable energy, with excess fed into the national
grid and all hotels and apartments using biomass heating.
Who with? Freshtracks (skiclub.co.uk/ski-club-holidays)
When? 12-19 January 2019
Who for? Intermediate and advanced off piste skiers
How much? £1,299, incl six full days with a mountain guide

26 skiclub.co.uk

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DAMÜLS/MELLAU
BEST FOR OLDER OFF-PISTERS
One of the snowiest spots in the Alps and with 105km of runs,
this is well off most British skier’s radar. As well as getting an
average snowfall of 10m each season, it has a superb setting in
Bregenzerwald, with wood-tile-hung traditional dwellings
sitting alongside cutting-edge modern wood-clad designs in
the undulating landscape. The terrain is not too challenging,
and the week will be spent both on and off piste.
Who with? Freshtracks (skiclub.co.uk/ski-club-holidays)
When? 24-31 March 2019
Who for? Over-60s, intermediate to advanced off-piste skiers
How much? £1,299, incl instruction and skiing with a Leader
ROCCARASO
BEST FOR WEEKEND ADVENTURE
East of Rome, in the Abruzzo region’s Apennine
Mountains, lies this hidden gem of a spot. Although
there’s extensive terrain (and 110km of pistes)
Roccaraso is certainly well off the usual British
piste map. On this mid-season Mountain Tracks
adventure, the group will spend four days exploring
off piste with mountain guides, using lifts as well as
doing some skinning.
Who with? Mountain Tracks (mountaintracks.co.uk)
When? 7-11 February 2019
Who for? Advanced and expert off piste skiers
How much? £1,195, including four days with a guide
VALFRÉJUS
BEST FOR SELF-CATERING
Valfréjus lies at 1,550m altitude among the trees, just
above Modane in the Haute Maurienne. It’s perfect
for families looking for a place with easy access to
the slopes, with a charming village centre – missing
from some of the larger French resorts. The ski-in,
ski-out apartments at Les Chalets de la Ramoure are
spread over several traditional French chalets. The
price includes a six-day lift pass, but not travel.
Who with? Sunweb (sunweb.co.uk)
When? 5-12 January 2019
Who for? Everyone! Especially those with a tight budget
How much? £174, based on four sharing an apartment
26-27 Departures redone yc ni yc2.indd 27
LILLEHAMMER
BEST FOR EASY PISTE
A collection of great little hills, Lillehammer has
116km of pistes across five areas, all within an hour’s
drive. The largest, at 44km, is Hafjell, with
satisfying reds and blues and 830m of vertical, amid
rolling wooded hills. Perfect for a piste escape with
lashings of langlauf, the area has an almighty
1,500km of cross-country trails. There’s a terrain
park and that Scandi staple, night skiing.
Who with? Freshtracks (skiclub.co.uk/ski-club-holidays)
When? 21-25 March 2019
Who for? Intermediate and advanced-intemediate skiers
How much? £799, incl four nights’ full board
PUY ST VINCENT
BEST FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
Family-run Snowbizz specialise in family holidays to pretty
Puy St Vincent. Known for award-winning childcare, they
run their own Junior Ski School for children from three
through to race-training teens. In the Écrins National Park
and often referred to as ‘skiing’s best-kept secret’, the resort
offers ski-in, ski-out convenience making it ideal for families.
The price, based on four sharing, includes flights, transfers
and accommodation in the Sun Vallée Residence.
Who with? Snowbizz (snowbizz.co.uk)
When? 13-20 January 2019
Who for? A family of four… outside term dates!
How much? £345 (children £245)
TRYSIL
p Chilling out BEST FOR FAMILIES
up above Trysil,
Norway’s oldest ski resort, Trysil has 70km of mostly
PHOTOS DAMÜLS-FASCHINA TOURISMUS; SKI SOLUTIONS
which has wide,
confidence- wide and not-too-challenging pistes, making it a
boosting runs great option for families or mixed-ability groups. At
piste-side huts in the woods you might find elk and
the local version of vin chaud on the menu. Trysil
village is compact and convenient, with modern
wood-clad houses. Accommodation is in the
Radisson Blu Mountain Resort, with skiing from the
door and restaurants, bars and a spa within.
Who with? Ski Solutions (skisolutions.com)
When? March 2019
Who for? Families and mixed-ability groups
How much? £760 incl flights (10% off for club members)
December 2018 27
29/11/2018 11:35
 Check out the
Swiss slopes.

Before you
even land there.
More than 160 weekly
ights to Switzerland.

swiss.com 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard, 1 pair of ski poles, 1 pair of ski boots or 1 pair of snowboard boots travel free of charge, in addition to standard baggage allowance (excluding h

023_300_Eco_Man_594x420_Ski_Club_en 1
swiss.indd 84 29/11/2018 11:08
 Free ski
transport

baggage allowance (excluding hand luggage only fares), subject to availability. Made of Switzerland.

31.10.18 08:35
swiss.indd 85 29/11/2018 11:09
 ACTIONZONE

Exp sure
Mont Blanc, France
PHOTOGRAPHER MATHIS DUMAS
SKIERS VIVIAN BRUCHEZ, SOPHIE
LECHASSEUR, REINE BARKERED AND
JEAN-FRÉDÉRIC CHAPUIS

E
ver wondered what Dynastar
does for a team day out? They
go to the top of Europe (well,
western Europe) – to the 4,810m
summit of Mont Blanc.
Following the Trois Monts route,
it took the dream team seven hours
to reach the top. “They arrived at
sunset,” says Chamonix-based
photographer Mathis Dumas. “It
was an incredible day, the light was
crazy.” ‘Celestial’ is the word that
comes to mind when we look at this
photo, snapped by Mathis’ drone.
We’re glad to hear the quartet had a
breather to take in the view before the
descent. “They took time to enjoy the
landscape, take some photos, before
skiing down the north face with the
golden light...” says Mathis.
Fancy skiing with views like this in
the Mont Blanc massif this winter?
Head to skiclub.co.uk to check out
the Club’s range of trips to Chamonix,
including several off piste and ski touring
holidays.

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 December 2018 31

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 ACTIONZONE

Sierra Nevada
Mountains, USA
PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN PONDELLA
SKIER MICHELLE PARKER

B
ig mountains, big views: that’s
the caption we’d give this
shot, taken by California-
based snapper Christian Pondella of
Michelle Parker, doing what she does
best in the Sierra Nevada
backcountry.
There is a saying about backcountry
skiing in the Sierras: you can’t just ski
one line. Because once you’re atop
that mountain, about to drop into
that powder bowl or couloir, you’ll
glance out to the horizon and spot
a dozen more lines that are equally
as alluring, just as accessible, and at
least as challenging.
We are wondering how many
lines Ms. Parker skied on this mid-
February day...
We like that idea, that once you
get up there, you see how much
more there is to explore. It’s in a
backcountry skier’s handbook, the
philosophy that when you go looking
for something, you tend to find
even more.
Where will your explorations take
you this winter?

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 PHOTO RED BULL CONTENT POOL

December 2018 33

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 ACTIONZONE

Homegrown
With small, well-run resorts boasting infrastructure comparable to the micro
resorts of Europe and North America, the English ski scene is on the up
WORDS CHRIS EXALL

L
ike my father, Harwood ski club is no longer with
us. The club was a casualty of warmer winters and
a declining membership. Fewer than 50 miles from
Newcastle, Harwood had a rope lift that serviced runs up
to 500m long. We would regularly dig out a parking space
and take the short walk to the club hut, my father carrying
my skis when I was too small to manage them. Though
Harwood no longer operates, skiers in the north of England
can still find plenty of ski clubs that operate permanent ski
lifts, groom their runs with piste bashers, and – if the snow
gods smile – enjoy as many as 12 weeks’ skiing in a season.

FOR THE LOVE OF PENNINE SKIING

English ski resorts are on high moorland and, as with their
Scottish counterparts, they rely to a degree on snowfencing
to capture and retain snow. This means runs can be
narrower and less groomed than you might expect to find
in an alpine resort. However, English ski
resorts aren’t like Dr Johnson’s dog,
remarkable purely because they exist.
They are small ski resorts, well run and
with infrastructure comparable to micro
ski resorts in Europe and America.
ENGLISH RESORTS
1 Yad Moss
2 Harwood (50 miles from
Newcastle)
3 Ski Allenheads
4 Raise
5 Weardale
6 Newcastle
6 northern England who have been able to assemble some
4 3
5
12
With England’s longest ski lift, Yad Moss is seven miles
south of Alston, high on the Cumbrian border with County
Durham. After several years of operating portable ski
tows at various locations in the Lake District and on the
western side of the Pennines, members of Carlisle Ski Club
made their home here.
The area had a history of good snow holding and,
significantly, it is also close to a road. After graduating
to a tractor powered rope lift, in 1987 the decision was
made to buy a secondhand Poma from a French ski resort,
Le Collet d’Allevard near Chambery.
Yad Moss is large enough to not only have a piste map
but also a piste basher, which helps the club manage and
retain their snow. Save for Raise in the Lake District, it’s
the furthest ski resort from my Newcastle base, but the
February’s ‘Beast from the East’ meant that during my
last visit the snow was plentiful and the sun shining.
Club chairman Peter Stockton told me: “We run
Yad Moss just for the love of Pennine skiing. We are
all enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders from across
impressive facilities up on the Cumbria/Durham border,
including England’s longest ski tow and a modern Leitner
Piste grooming machine. Today Yad Moss has just about
everything that an English ski area could ever hope for...
except reliable snow cover!”
Skiable conditions, even in the high Pennines, are a bit
of a lottery. “We have to grab them when they arrive and
they don’t hang around for long,” says Peter. “Quite a few
things need to come together. We need snow, wind below
40mph, a passable access road and
operators who are available to run the tow.
Happily, because of the short grass and
absence of rocks, we don’t need much
depth and always seem to get some good
skiing each year.”

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 Yad Moss is large
enough to not only have
a piste map, but also
a piste basher
pOn the Cumbria-
Peter explained that in very good years, such as 2009/10,
Durham border,
the resort has run the tow for over 40 days (mainly on
Yad Moss has had
a bumper 2018 weekends) and enjoyed some excellent conditions. On
thanks to the the busiest days they have welcomed over 200 skiers and
nippy Beast from snowboarders at Yad Moss.
the East “On a more normal day however, our skiers and snow-
boarders arrive with their sense of humour intact and an
expectation of something rather less than alpine condi-
tions,” Peter says.
CORNICES AND POW-FILLED BOWLS
A little closer to Newcastle and with two button lifts,
Weardale ski club feels like a Scottish ski area. The club
runs two permanent Doppelmayr button tows, which
transport skiers to a summit at 650m where you stand at
the top of a vast north-facing bowl and look down at an
expanse of ungroomed terrain, with around 34 routes and
even a natural snow park. The prevailing wind means it’s
not unusual to see cornices forming on the summit ridge.
34 Action zone England hm ni3.indd 35
Where Yad Moss claims the longest ski lift in England,
Weardale, 30 miles west of Durham, can offer the longest
lift served ski run in England. That’s an uninterrupted
1km descent. If you want more prepared terrain there are
typically six or seven marked routes.
Skiing at Weardale does require a little more commitment
than, say, a day in Les Arcs. Park the car at the edge of the
road and you have to decide whether the 20-30 minute
walk uphill to the lift is better done wearing ski boots or
carrying them. The walk was worth it during my visit in
early March – with 2018’s Beast from the East plastering
the entire north-facing bowl with snow, it was possible
to ski almost anywhere from the ridge above upper lift. I
was lucky, as earlier in the week the road was blocked with
members left skinning up three-and-a-half miles from the
valley floor; Weardale attracts committed skiers.
As for how often members are able to ski, historically
this has been between five and 45 days in a season. “Snow
can come anytime between November and April. We aim
q
December 2018 35
29/11/2018 09:09
 ACTIONZONE
to open at the weekend and on
Wednesdays, but if the snow cover Raise is positioned for
is good, we open on other days too,
when we have volunteers available,”
the best snowpack in the
explained Club Chairman Steve Lumb.
Weardale is a not for profit club and all
Lake District
tows are run by volunteers. The club
also has a heated club lodge, which is
ideal for a mid-ski pitstop to refuel on your picnic lunch.
While Weardale and many other English ski areas
are very much the province of the packed lunch and the
Thermos flask, Ski Allenheads is an altogether more benign
proposition; its ski lifts sit right at the edge of the village,
only two minutes’ walk from the Allenheads Inn, meaning
you can leave the sandwiches behind.
The trade off is that rather than fixed ski lifts, removable
rope tows are the order of the day – so this isn’t the place
for those lightweight designer leather gloves. The two
lower tows are each about 100 metres in length, serving a
wide easy run, which is almost as wide as it is long. Higher
up, with snow fencing in place, portable tows on steeper
terrain running up to the moor have a length of about
120 metres and can keep more expert skiers occupied.
36 skiclub.co.uk
34 Action zone England hm ni3.indd 36
Allenheads had changed little since I
skied there as a small child in the 1970s:
it is a place where you can expect to see
families skiing together, small children
sledging and making snowmen, and
parents teaching them the basics of
skiing. If it all gets too much daddy can
carry you back to the car.
Mike Horrocks, club chairman said: “During the late ’70s
and early ’80s, we regularly had four to five months’ skiing
each winter, a season almost matched in 2010 with skiing
every day for three months. Most years won’t match those
times, but we can expect a few weeks of suitable snow
most winters. The position of the slope and its situation in
the upper Allen valley means it captures any snow that is
going and can support skiing with barely 5-10cm of snow.”
MILE-LONG DESCENTS
Further to the west and founded way back in 1936, the
Lake District Ski Club runs a 360-metre long button tow
on Raise, next to Helvellyn in the Lake District National
Park. It’s an hour’s walk from the mines at Glenridding
before you get to the lift loading station so you’d better be
29/11/2018 09:10
 fit and wear comfortable footwear. Raise is positioned for pClockwise from
probably the best snowpack in the Lake district, and the top: family days PRICE IT UP
lift gives access to a substantial part of the mountain. at Ski Allenheads,
There are several runs available, depending on the where removable
prevailing conditions, the longest of which is almost a mile rope tows are the Spend a couple of hours Yad Moss will let you
order of the day; a at an indoor ski centre use their 600m Poma for
long, though you’ll need to hike from the top of the lift to
gaping glacier at and you’ll find your wallet £55 a year (£20 per day).
the summit to access it. Most people will be happy with Raise around £30 lighter. For Allenheads offers its
the nine lift-served runs. In a good year you can clock up
£48 you can join Weardale season’s pass for £35, or
almost 60 days of skiing there.
ski club and with your £10 for a day. Meanwhile,
Now you might consider these clubs to be a throwback season pass, weather a season’s pass at
to a time before Ryanair, but they actually represent the permitting, you’ll enjoy Weardale costs just £48
heart of English skiing today, professionally run by a winter of runs that are for an adult season ticket,
volunteers who maintain lifts, drive groomers and keep more than 700m long, with day tickets costing
the heating running in the warming huts; the sort of jobs served by two button £20. It’s worth a call ahead
paid staff do in small ski fields in the USA and Canada. lifts, outdoors! If you’re to the resort to check
The last time I skied in the hills with my late father was a parent with kids who what lifts are open before
a sunny day in the north Pennines. When I was a kid he are 10-17 years old, it’s all you start that 30 minute
carried my skis, this time we swapped, but he carried of £10 for a season pass. walk to the lift...
the Thermos instead. He died later that year, a day after Day tickets cost £20/£10. yadmoss.co.uk
delivering a coaching session at a ski slope. Last winter The Lake District Ski Club skiweardale.com
reminded me that I don’t visit these treasures enough, nor charges £50 for a season ski-allenheads.co.uk
I suspect do you. This is skiing as it was meant to be: fresh pass (£30 per day), and idscsnowski.co.uk
snow, a little raw – and served with a bit of northern grit.

December 2018 37

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 ACTIONZONE
ACTIONZONE

Borderless
When was the last time you skied with your passport? In the Portes du Soleil, which
straddles France and Switzerland, hundreds of skiers blithely cross one of Europe’s
most frictionless frontiers on a daily basis. It wasn’t always so easy though...
WORDS COLIN NICHOLSON

I
 PDS glory: s this an early introduction to the post-Brexit world?
no queue for Being told by a French ex-customs officer that by
passport control skiing across the border without my passport I am in
here breach of the law? Just like the many smugglers he and his
erstwhile colleagues had chased?
Yes, it may not be at the top of your mind as you gaze
down ‘le mur’ – ‘the wall’. But as you tackle this steep,
heavily mogulled black run in the Portes du Soleil ski area,
you are about to exit both the EU and Customs Union.
As Britain wrestles with the dilemma of how to manage
its borders post-Brexit, skiers are blithely crossing one of
Europe’s most frictionless frontiers on a daily basis during
their holidays. We are staying in Les Gets, at the western
end of the area. So, having skied the untracked powder on
Mont Chéry, as well as the local slopes, we decided to explore
further afield. We started by trekking through the attrac-
PHOTO DAMIAN MCARTHUR

tive village of Morzine to reach the purpose-built resort of

Avoriaz (via a bus and cable car), which, high in the mountains,
feels like something out of a science fiction novel.
Our plan is to head to the Swiss resorts of Les Crosets,
Champoussin and Morgins. The piste map encourages
this, even giving skiers directions on how to make the
most of the claimed 650km of runs by going from one


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 December 2018 39

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 ACTIONZONE
ACTIONZONE
PHOTO SAM INGLES
corner of the Portes du Soleil to the other. And we have full
area lift passes, so we can do this legitimately – or so we
thought. It is only after we pass through the gates at the
bottom of the Mossettes chairlift that we see a notice that
reads: ‘French-Swiss border: You must carry your identity
card.’ Whoops!
SMUGGLER STORIES
“Technically, that’s correct,” says former customs officer
Jérôme Phalipou. “You must be able to present your papers
at any time.” I am talking to him in the old customs house
in Châtel, complete with interrogation rooms. But he has
not pulled me in for questioning. After 13 years’ active
service, he stopped his rounds in 2009, when his patrol
was disbanded. And, being at a loose end, he re-opened
‘La Vieille Douane’ as an exciting museum devoted to the
cat-and-mouse game that went on between the authorities
and smugglers – or ‘contrebandiers’.
Jérôme is a brilliant cartoonist, so he has illustrated
many of the stories of how smugglers crossed the border,
often on skis, to bring cigarettes, coffee and other contraband
to France, dodging patrols, and even their bullets.
Alongside the cartoons are artefacts, reconstructions of
interrogations with mannequins, a mystery for visitors
to solve, and audioguides available in English that bring
to life these high-mountain dramas. Tourists can even
embark on their own adventures, exploring the smugglers’
routes, armed with the contrebandiers’ secrets.
One of those routes is the now popular freeride area
above Plaine Dranse. While we congratulate ourselves on
conquering the deep powder, we can only marvel at the
exploits of Pierre Benand. As we see from the illustrations,
he would access the same area on skis, but by lowering
himself down the sheer cliffs behind Dranse with a 30kg
40 skiclub.co.uk
38 Action Zone Smugglers SB203 nl hm ni2 hj final.indd 40
 The region’s pack on his back. Of course, most of the contrebandiers have
famed for tales passed, but in the museum we have an appointment with
of patrol-dodging one. We wait a while and are joined by André Crépy, Châ-
smugglers, as tel’s mayor of 30 years.
Jérôme’s fantastic
No, it’s not a carefully engineered police sting. The
cartoons show
octogenarian is himself a former smuggler. Curiously the
contrebandiers had a certain respectability in the Savoie,
which only, somewhat reluctantly, became part of France
in 1860. At first the region enjoyed free trade with Switzerland,
but the concession was abruptly withdrawn after WWI.
And during WWII, when the Nazi-backed Vichy govern-
ment was in power, the contrebandiers worked in tandem
with the Résistance, with the young André sending coded
messages between the two via a pharmacist.
“You were caught smuggling twice, I believe,” says
Jérôme, which André answers with a chuckle. “Ah yes,
being a contrebandier really got the adrenaline going,” he
 There’s money
recalls, describing how he skied 50km to the Swiss village
in them there skis
of Morgins and back in Tintin-style golfing trousers. The
fashion of the day proved particularly useful, as on his
return journey they were stuffed full of cigarette papers.
Payment to the Swiss might be made in gold coins, but
carrying these would arouse suspicion. So André points
us to an exhibit showing how they could be hidden in a
hollowed out area under the bindings of skis. Many of the
contrebandiers would turn to barter, taking food over the
Swiss border in exchange for tobacco. This posed logistical
“Tourists can now explore the
smugglers’ routes, armed with the
contrebandiers’ secrets”
29/11/2018 09:14
 problems. André recalls how some women smuggling
butter under their dresses were stopped at the border by
a customs officer in mid-winter. Did he sense something
was amiss or was he just trying to be kind? In any case, he
sent them to stand by a radiator in the customs house to
warm up while they were waiting, with the trail of molten
butter eventually leading to their unmasking.
Even livestock could be traded, but that created greater
problems. André describes how they would get pigs drunk
to keep them quiet as they crossed the border.
“It wasn’t very economical,” muses André. “We would
have done better to get the customs officers drunk, but
that would have taken twice as much alcohol.”
ESCAPE OVER THE COL
Of course, in the days before lifts, skiers would use real
sealskins on the bottom of their skis to negotiate the
uphills, and you can see many originals at the museum.
But to recreate the contrebandiers’ adventure we attach
modern skins to our skis to attempt the three-hour climb
of the Col de Coux from Morzine. The contrebandiers were
generally better skiers than the customs officers, who were
only kitted with snowshoes. Some would do the descent
from the Col du Coux so fast they were empty handed by
the time the customs men caught up with them.
We descend at a customs officer’s pace, and only arrive
at the cosy restaurant of the Hotel National
in Champéry, Switzerland, in time for
dinner. We are here to meet another
Factfile smuggler, but a Swiss one this time.
The Vieille Douane museum in While André Crépy sadly
Châtel (info.chatel.com/la-vieille-douane.
html; +33 4 50 71 75 11) charges €4 for entry
passed away since we met
him at the age of 84, Fernand
and is open from 2pm to 6pm every day except Rey-Bellet is still active as
Saturday. Colin travelled as a guest of Crystal Ski a mountain guide. The fit,
Holidays (crystalski.co.uk; 020 8610 3123), which 72-year-old comes from a
offers a week’s stay at the four-star, self-catering Swiss family of contrebandiers.
Les Fermes Emiguy apartments in Les Gets And over a glass of local Dôle
from £419 per person (based on four wine, he tells us how he was
sharing) including direct flights to posted as a lookout as a boy.
Geneva from 16 UK airports
As with the French smugglers,
and transfers.
they felt a deep sense of injustice.
Fernand recalls how his father was
once thrown into prison for giving clothing
to some people who had lost their way in the mountains,
q La Vieille
because the authorities were suspicious of his motives.
To some extent, he argues, the trade in goods was an
Douane is
devoted to the extension of the natural hospitality that mountain people
cat-and-mouse show in such a dangerous environment, particularly
game that went on during the poverty-stricken war and post-war years.
in the PDS But it was in the early 1940s that the smuggling took on
38 Action Zone Smugglers SB203 nl hm ni2 hj final.indd 41
STAY AND SKI IN THE PORTES
DU SOLEIL AND BEYOND
MORZINE
The Hideout Hostel is located smack bang in the
centre of Morzine. As affordable as it may be (from
just €36 per person per night B&B), this is no typical
hostel – it’s super-hip and homely. There is a choice
of double, triple or dorm rooms, all spacious, airy
and comfortable, with wifi access. Re-fuel in the
Hideout restaurant, which serves up hearty dishes
with a distinctly Japanese twist, from spicy curries
and ramen to dahl and butternut squash dumplings.
Afterwards, head to the late-night bar for a coconut
martini or two (no more mind – you have lots of
skiing to do tomorrow).
Details: Prices from €36 per person, B&B
ß (hideout-hostel.com; +33 7 68 63 48 21).
Dates: Anytime after 8 December, with a
ß minimum three-night stay and any day arrival/
departure.
CHAMPÉRY
Location, location, location... This traditional Swiss
chalet is situated just 100 metres from the Grand
Paradis ski lift – gateway to the Portes du Soleil – and
you can ski right from the front door for much of the
season. Inside you’ll find eight bedrooms, plus a
well-stocked bar, two lounge areas, fireplace, ski
room and a large sun terrace and garden.
Details: Seven nights in January and February
ß 2019 from £810 for a double room, including
breakfast (houseparadis.ch; +41 24 479 1167).
TOUR DE SOLEIL
For a tour akin to Colin’s route, check out Mountain
Tracks’ Tour de Soleil six-day ski touring trip, which
begins in Andermatt and follows ancient smugglers’
trails through the Swiss Alps. Highlights include an
ascent of Blinnenhorn (3,374m).
Details: Prices start from £1,325, including
ß three nights B&B, four nights half-board in a
mountain refuge, guide fees and most expenses
(mountaintracks.co.uk; 020 8123 2978).
Dates: 16 March to 23 March 2019.
ß
an altogether more urgent turn, when the cargo was often
Jewish families looking for safe passage into Switzerland.
It was only in the late 1950s that smuggling began to tail
off, as the post-war shortages reduced, and differences in
taxation became less marked. Jérôme also attributes the
change to the prosperity that the arrival of winter sports
brought. By the time he was on patrol at the start of this
century he was mostly catching skiers with drugs on
them. Switzerland has a liberal policy on cannabis, so the
tobacco coming over from the Swiss side has now been
replaced by the drug. A trend particularly marked, he
suggests, in March, when the Portes du Soleil hosts its
annual Rock the Pistes series of free, open-air concerts.
So does he miss the thrill of his old job, giving chase to
the smugglers? “I think I miss the free ski pass,” he replies.
While for Jérôme the perks of the old job are gone,
British skiers can at least count on retaining one perk.
While checks at the airport may become more onerous,
their ability to glide in and out of the EU and Customs
Union when they do put on a pair of skis looks set to
remain as frictionless as ever.
December 2018 41
29/11/2018 09:15
 ACTIONZONE

Beyond Bansko
The alpine landscape of Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains is home to Europe’s budget ski capital.
But affordable though it may be, this region is rich in wildlife that faces an uncertain future
WORDS ANDREAS HOFER PHOTOS SCHORSCH SCHIECHL

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42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 42 29/11/2018 09:17

 T
he Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria are, like the Rila
Mountains from which they are separated by the
Predel saddle, a mighty alpine landscape. These
ridges boast the highest peaks in the Balkans, with Musala
(2,925m) and Vihren (2,914m) rearing high. The northern
part of the Pirin Range is a national park, and a designated
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient woodlands, pristine
glacial lakes and an abundant wildlife have survived
wars, communist times and gangster capitalism after
the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Yet this all may be in grave danger now. As the WWF
revealed in December 2017, 400km2 of old-growth forest
– two thirds of the national park – has been opened to
commercial logging by the government, which claims to
42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 43
only do so in a ‘sustainable’ way. By surprising q A walk with a
coincidence, this rededication of protected land view: Hofer and
corresponds with the development plans of ULEN, the Meto en route to
licensee of the Bansko ski resort (936m to 2,600m), which Peak Musala in
is located on the northern border of the national park. the Rila Range
Bansko is the budget ski capital of Europe. Thousands
of Brits come here every winter queuing for miles to get up
on one of the 13 ski lifts operating on the slopes of Todorka
(2,746m). The old town, consisting of quaint stone houses
of 19th century merchants and frescoed farmsteads, has
long been disfigured by half finished apartment blocks,
strip clubs, gambling parlours and cheap eateries. Who
can’t afford a chalet in Courchevel is eager to snatch up
one of the rickety flats marketed to the budget expat u
December 2018 43
29/11/2018 09:17
 ACTIONZONE
We took off our hiking skins and plunged into the deep,
frolicking in untracked terrain like children who had just
invented skiing as a means to fall weightlessly to earth
unfazed by boom and bust of Bulgarian property prices.
The planning application filed by the resort operator features
333km of new pistes and 113 ski lifts, which would propel
the resort into the top league of European winter sport, a
12-fold expansion of the current facilities. The WWF,
worried about the habitat for brown bears, chamois and
capercaillie, is alarmed, and so is the European Commission,
which had included Pirin in its Natura 2000 programme.
A RENDEZVOUS WITH NATURE
I visited Bansko with my friend Georgy ‘Shoro’ Georgiev ,
Austrian guide Schorsch Schiechl, and Meto Chilimanov,
my friend and mountain guide from Macedonia. Day one
saw us heading deep into the Bansko backcountry. Some
of the giant pine trees we passed dated back to Byzantine
times. They have survived the Ottoman conquest and
Balkan Wars, but could soon fall victim to the government
of Boyko Borisov – PM, judoka and ex-bodyguard.
To our left steep couloirs were sloping down between the
cliffs west of Bansko’s top chairlift, popular with freeride
skiers and snowboarders. The 40-degree chutes were
already heavily tracked from the day before.
To reach the entrance of the valley we had to pass the
finishing line of one of the descents of the Snowboard
World Cup competition held in Bansko with great fanfare.
Technicians were busy preparing the boards, athletes
were warming up with tentative test jumps and runs along
the race track – a far cry from our rendezvous with nature.
Resounding silence embraced us as the announcements
of the competition subsided. With our skins on we hiked
up the flat valley for perhaps two hours, past the Academia
and Vihren refuge huts, determined to reach Vihren, the
highest peak in the Pirin Range.
We advanced on fluffy powder snow under cobalt blue
skies. Tracks of snow hare and snow cock weaved
haphazardly through the hills. Soon the mighty trees gave
way to dwarf pines, until we finally reached open alpine
territory. The sun was bearing down on us, so that we soon
had to take off our anoraks.
After a three-hour climb we were on the top of Hvoynati
Vrh (2,665m) opening a 360-degree panorama of ice,
rugged rock and sheer cliffs. We waved to Malka Todorka
(2,712m), Karaulite (2,633m) and, tantalisingly close yet
separated by a steep ridge, Vihren.
The sun was so fierce that the snow had transformed
into spring snow by now, and the flanks started to
destabilise. We therefore decided to forgo Vihren, which
would have meant another two hours’ hike from where
we were, and instead took off our hiking skins and
plunged into the deep, frolicking in untracked terrain like
playful children who had just invented skiing as a means
to fall weightlessly down to earth.
CAREFUL TURNS
AND CURRY NIGHTS
The next day we skied from Todorka into the Yulen
Reserve, an intricate landscape interspersed with
countless lakes now frozen and white. After hiking and
skiing some of the ridges overlooking the lakes we ended
44 skiclub.co.uk
42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 44
up in the Demyanitsa valley, stopping for lunch at the
refuge of the same name – a sturdy 19th century stone hut.
Here we met Petja Koltheva, a lawyer from Sofia in the
company of her daughter and her boyfriend. Petja is an
avid alpinist – Bulgaria’s first woman to scale Mt Everest.
Like Schoro and his partner Milena, Petja dreads the
feared destruction of the national park. “I pity the brown
bear of course, and all the animals who will have nowhere
to go. But most of all I lament the irreplaceable loss
of silence, when wild slopes are transformed into
discotheques. Who needs ski pistes?” she sighs, “when you
can ski like that?” We all looked contentedly at the plaids
of careful turns we had just left behind.
We were sitting on a bench in the sun with our backs to
the stone wall of the hut, spooning our lentil soup with the
beer bottles stuck in the snow in front of us. Every now
and then snow slipped from the roof with a thump. “The
irony is,” explained Milena, “that we were demonstrating
for years to get a second chairlift installed to carry skiers
from the village to the main skiing area. The queues in the
morning are testing, and it certainly doesn’t help that the
guests lodging in the Kempinski Hotel can use a priority
lane. We, the plebs, are really pissed off after two hours
of waiting. But what we are offered now is the total
annihilation of a nature reserve.”
Back at base our Hotel Avalon was rolling out its
celebrated Curry Night. Once a week the British expat
community of Bansko comes together for pre-drinks
in the bar, while innkeeper James Hughes is busy in the
kitchen preparing the countless arrays of Indian and
Nepali dishes to be stacked on a 10m buffet, complete with
fragrant bowls of saffron rice and naan bread.
James is a very good chef, and a uniquely hospitable
innkeeper. Little wonder he’s the darling of the regulars.
It was a colourful crowd coming together for the evening.
The air was buzzing with cock and bull stories of unheard
of skiing prowess, in accents from Liverpool to Hackney.
The lads and their ladies peppered their yarn with
colourful swear words and hilarious laughter. All sported
tattoos, sunburns and respectable beer bellies. Some were
already wearing crutches and plaster casts to illustrate
their case in point. The mood was hilarious. It’s one of the
top events in Bansko and people we met at the dinner
return for many years from as far away as the US and Israel
for the occasion.
The walls of the bar and the restaurant area were
densely covered with photographs of proud regulars and
hotel guests, heroically posing around summit crosses in
the Pirin, Rila and Rhodope mountains. We promise to
send a picture from the top of Musala, at 2,925m the
highest peak of the Balkans.
Not wishing to disappoint James we drive 130km the
next day to Borovets at the foot of Musala. It is the oldest
ski resort in Bulgaria, dating back to the 1960s.
The ski facilities are state of the art today, with 58km
of ski pistes for skiers of all levels. Although the hotels
and apartment blocks have somewhat copied the worst
architectural sins of France, it is a pleasant and lively
place, more appealing even than Bansko. u
29/11/2018 09:18
  Hofer skins  Hofer and
past the Meto on
Vihren refuge, Hvoynati Vrh
en route to (2,665m)
Vihren peak

 Fluffy  Skinning for

powder snow fresh tracks
– and not a lift in the Yulen
queue in sight Reserve

 Hofer on  Meto lets

top of Musala ‘em run in
(2,925m), the the Yulen
highest peak Reserve
in the Balkans

December 2018 45

42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 45 29/11/2018 09:18

 ACTIONZONE

INEXPENSIVE SKIING IN THE EAST

BOROVETS, BULGARIA
For an affordable way to tackle a beginner ski or
snowboarding holiday, Bulgaria could be a good
bet – and Borovets, the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria,
dating back to the 1960s, is a good all-round resort.
It’s a great place to learn skiing, with excellent
English-speaking ski schools and an abundence of
gentle tree-lined and intermediate slopes to
progress onto.
Details: Crystal Ski Holidays can take you to
ß Borovets for £529pp, staying half-board at the
four-star Hotel Rila, including flights from
Birmingham to Sofia and transfers. Price is given for
departure on January 12. Visit crystalski.co.uk

KRANJSKA GORA, SLOVENIA

Just an hour from Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana,
Kranjska Gora is a great resort for first-time skiers
and riders who are still finding their legs on the
slopes. It has 18 runs of varying length and difficulty,
with a top elevation of 1,215m.
Details: SkiLine, an independent ABTA travel
ß agent, has three holidays on offer over the
winter period varying between £605-£724pp for a
seven-night half-board holiday, with flights available
from eight UK airports. Visit skiline.co.uk
Dates: 15 December from £694pp; 12 January
ß from £605pp or £724pp, depending on
accomodation.

We plunged jauntily
into the first of the
40-degree chutes

PALACES AND POWDER GALORE so to say. The three-hour hike to Peak Musala followed the A land of
u

Like all royalty in the 19th century Balkans, Prince
Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who declared Bulgarian
independence from the Ottomans in 1908, too hailed from
German aristocracy. He and his entourage built lavish
villas in the dense spruce forests of Borovets. His hunting
lodge, Bistritsa Palace, and many of the other villas can
still be visited today. Some have been converted into
hotels, but most of them, alas, are out of repair. Ferdinand’s
grandson, Prince Simeon, peculiarly prime minister after
the fall of Communism, is today’s landlord of Bistritsa
Palace, complete with a floor-to-ceiling cemetery of animal
trophies and ungainly 19th century furniture.
We started our hike from the top station of the Yastrebetz
gondola. As in Bansko, Schoro was highly popular with the
lift personnel. Everyone hugged or high-fived him, and we
did not have to pay for the lift pass. We were part of staff,
masts and rusty remains of a 19th century telephone line, Balkan princes,
connecting the palace with a weather station on top of the brown bears and
mountain. The prince wanted to make sure that he and his epic lines...
regal guests would not be surprised by thunderstorms
when venturing into alpine terrain. The blokes manning
the station must have been a sturdy lot: when we reached
the final ridge to the summit, where the weather station
and the summit cross awaited us, we had to climb on all
fours, skis tied to our rucksacks.
The view from the top was breathtaking. We could see
as far as Vihren in the Pirin Mountains, mighty Olympus
in Greece and all the peaks we had scaled with gusto in
previous years: Tito Peak, the Pindos Range, the Albanian
Alps and Mount Korab, the highest point of the West
Balkans, lodged between Albania and Macedonia.
Below us, hidden somewhere in the deep forests, was the

46 skiclub.co.uk

42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 46 29/11/2018 09:18

 The Goat

Umbrella Bar

180°

Bla Bla
Umbrella Bar

Vip Room
The Barrels
The Ski Sticks
The Kettle
Umbrella Bar

Umbrella Bar

Happy End
Soprano's

SEE FOR YOURSELF…

The ski touring and freeride adventures of Andreas Hofer in

Bulgaria (as well as those in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and
Macedonia) were organised by Metodi Chilimanov
(metodi.chilimanov@gmail.com; +38975 563130). Meto is fluent in
English and all Balkan languages and knows everyone who is anyone
in Alpinism; he will draft the itinerary, organise accommodation and
meals (at all budget levels from basic to luxury). He hires UIAGM
mountain guides if needed (he is a good guide but not internationally
qualified) and also arranges car hire. All travel expenses are directly
paid by his guests without kick-backs or profit for him; he charges
€120 per day plus his own accommodation.

Rila Monastery, a treasure trove of gaudy frescos and

priceless relics. Founded in the 10th century and built into
an ecclesiastical defence fortress in the 14th century, it is
the centre of Bulgaria’s spirituality.
We dutifully took summit pictures for James and his
Avalon Hotel, happy that yet another sunny day made the
ascent an easy and enjoyable walk. After having taken our
skins off we plunged jauntily into the first of the 40-degree
chutes fanning out from the weather station: powder
galore in untracked terrain. After a good 800 vertical
metres, we hit the ski pistes again to follow the Musala
Pathway blue run winding its way back into the resort.
Meanwhile, skiers from not far away Sofia, Germany
and the UK celebrated a carefree day in the mountains not
giving much thought to the uncertain future of Bulgaria’s
ski resorts. For now, at least, the Rila Monastery Nature
Park seems safe. For how long, remains to be seen.

December 2018 47

42 Action zone Bulgaria SB203 nl hm ni final.indd 47 29/11/2018 09:18

 ADVERTORIAL

Photo: Zillertal Toursm, Marco Rossi

Read on to find out the top highlights that
await Zillertalʼs guests during the 2018/2019
winter season.

Delectable Dining
The Albergo in the ski area of
Hochzillertal treats guests to the brand
winter season. His gourmet finger food is The village of Gerlos is nestled high up
new fine dining experience at the heady
best served with an ice-cold cocktail from in Zillertal Arena at 1,250m. Winter
heights of 2,400m. The restaurant offers
the snow bar in Hochfügen guests are treated to the ski-in ski-out
the chance to eat delicious homemade
convenience and fantastic panoramic
pasta and seafood in front of stunning Greater Lifts views over the Zillertal valley. High-
vistas, in a chic, modern environment.
Skiers and snowboarders alike have altitude cross-country skiing and heaps
Expect to enjoy a heady combination
long flocked to Action Mountain Penken. of off-piste fun including magical winter
of nature, contemporary comfort and a
There, you can test your mettle on 78 walks and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The
relaxed unhurried meal on your trip to
degrees of gradient on Austria’s steepest new 6-seater “Larmach” chairlift, with its
this cosmopolitan restaurant.
slope, the legendary Harakiri, shred on heated seats and weather-protection
The Wimbachexpress, single-cable
the perfectly prepared jumps and hoods, whisks 2,800 people an
10-seater gondola, new this season,
obstacles in the Penken Park or try your hour to the mountain station in
acts as a shuttle to the restaurant.
skills on the giant timed slalom courses the ski resort.
Notable Austrian chef Alexander of the Racing Paradise Unterberg.
Fankhauser is also on hand for some From 15th December the new Möslbahn
high-Alpine mountain rescue for those 10-person D-Line mono-cable gondola
with a hearty appetite. With a DJ on his will connect the Mount Penken’s ski resort
roof, he ploughs through the power in with the Schwendberg and offers even
his snow truck up to 10 times across the more skiing.

More information: www.zillertal.at or email holiday@zillertal.at

Photos: Zillertal Tourism, Thomas Straub, Julia Rotter, Anton Brey

Issue 3.indd 1 29/11/2018 11:11


5 Unmissable
Zillertal
Experiences
1. Ski the Distance
You’ll find a range of exhilarating
downhill runs at your ski tips in this skiing
heaven. Look no further than the Glacier
Valley Run for glacier delights in Austria’s
Photo: Zillertal Toursm, Marco Rossi
only year-round ski area. Don your planks
and take in the exhilarating “black pan”
downhill run from the height of 3,250
m to Hintertux’s village centre. The Zell
am Ziller valley descent offers up 10
km in unbridled skiing pleasure, and
is Austria’s longest valley run. Boasting
a giddy 2,000m vertical drop, you
can look forward pure unbridled skiing
pleasure here. You can take a leisurely
cruise down to the valley from the
'Übergangsjoch', the highest point at an
altitude of 2,500 metres, and stop off
to admire the stunning Alpine surrounds
along the way, or test your
mettle and conquer it in
one go – the choice is
yours.
Issue 3.indd 2
2. Experience the
Height of Après-Ski
If you love to celebrate the end of your
day of skiing with a warm Tirolean
welcome, singing along to catchy tunes
amidst jubilant crowds then the buzzing
après scene in Zillertal is the place to be.
Cold locally brewed beer, heart-lifting
music and jolly throngs of people can
be found at the Postalm in Kaltenbach at
the finishing stretch of the Hochzillertal
Valley Run. Another spot is the Kristalhütte
(“Crystal Hut”), with its pulsing club
sounds, and you can sate your appetite
with fancy cuisine or you finish your ski
day on the panoramic terrace in Seppi’s,
the Zillertal Arena.
3. Party up a Snow
Storm
Every April the “World’s Greatest Show
on Snow” descends upon the otherwise
tranquil Alpine village of Mayrhofen. The
atmosphere at the Snowbombing Music
Festival is truly electrifying, as more than
200 top acts – from world-famous DJs
to the hottest bands - hit the stage in the
most unique venues imaginable – from
pop-up butcher’s shop parties to igloo
jam sessions. Join thousands of music
fans, ski and snowboarders over six
days to party all night. Dance to musical
legends such as Liam Gallagher, croon
to Craig David’s greatest hits and rap
along to none other than Dizzee Rascal.
Get creative with your fancy-dress attire to
wear to the legendary street party, and
if you’d like to take a breather to clear
your head, a host of pristine pistes await.
ADVERTORIAL
4. Take in Some Hut
Magic
Whether your idea of hut heaven is cosy
rustic or modern chic, expect nothing but
the height of pampering in the Tirolean
mountain huts.
The Schneekarhütte high above
Mayrhofen features unusual design
and refined fare made from regional
and natural ingredients (caramelised
Kaiserschmarrn served with roasted
plums and fine sweet wine from Tremmel
Winery is a must). The cosy Larmach Alm
encompasses that true mountain feeling.
Sitting high in the Zillertal Arena ski area,
the fireplace lounge, stylish bar, restaurant
and sun terrace make it a perennial
favourite with locals and visitors alike and
you simply have to taste the crispy fried
chicken just to believe how good it is.
5. Freeride for Fun
Freeriding is an absolute dream in
Zillertal, with its natural abundance of
powder and untouched deep-snow
slopes. More than 65 freeride runs
are waiting to be conquered, and
you can choose from a heady range
of runs and spectacular long powder
slopes, boasting 1,000 and 2,000m of
elevation difference between them. New
to the sport? Wide open slopes invite
you to try out some jumps on the westerly
“Outta Banks”. After a challenge? Try
Superbowl, a south-east facing classic
off-piste descent allures.
Looking for the ‘first line’? Than head
to Hochfügen. There you can try ‘CAT-
Skiing’. Get up on the mountain with
a pistenbully before lifts are open and
enjoy some runs in untouched powder.
29/11/2018 11:12
 INSIDEEDGE

Craig McLean
is a chiropractor

Jump ahead
and fitness
expert. He has
worked in
the ski industry
for over 15
years, helping Olympians such
as Chemmy Alcott and Graham
Plyometric exercises may sound complex – but really, Bell recover from injury without
surgery. Call 020 8785 6144 or
explosive jumping exercises can help warm up the body see putneychiropractic.co.uk
and build strength to help you feel better on the slopes
WORDS CRAIG MCLEAN

A
fter a day of hard skiing, it’s easy to feel as
though you’re discovering aching muscles
you never knew you had before. However,
some of these muscles can be warmed up with simple
plyometric and resistance exercises that can be done
at home, or in your ski lodge pre-run.
Having covered stretches and strength training in the
first two issues of this season, we’re moving on to more
dynamic movements. Plyometric exercises are explosive
movements, such as jumping exercises, while resistance
training with bands is a good opportunity to recreate some
of the forces experienced in skiing. These bands can be
tied around doorknobs, bed posts and bannisters in order
to create some the necessary power.
You’ll need to repeat each of the exercises several times,
in fairly quick succession, depending on your strength and
ability. In the final issue of this season, we’ll be looking at
on-mountain warm-up and recovery.

STRAIGHT JUMP

A Stand upright with your feet

shoulder-width apart, feet flat on A B
the ground.

B Fix your eyes on a point

ahead of you and jump straight
up into the air. Make sure to bend
your knees as you land.

You’re doing it wrong if…

you crouch down on your
landing. Keep your body
flexible and fluid.

SIDEWAYS JUMP

A Stand upright with your feet

shoulder-width apart, and A B
prepare to jump sideways.

B Jump sideways, using your

arms for momentum and balance.
Land with your feet flat and your
knees bent.

You’re doing it wrong if…

your knees bend inwards upon
landing. Try to keep your legs
parallel to each other as you land.

50 skiclub.co.uk

50 fitness yc.indd 50 28/11/2018 23:03

 THE ‘GRAHAM BELL’
JUMP

A A jump popularised by the A B

former ski racer Graham Bell.
Balance on one leg with arms
outreached.

B Jump diagonally forward

from one leg to the other, bending
your knee on landing.

You’re doing it wrong if…

you’re landing too close to the
ground. Keep your body upright
as you land.

HIGH JUMP

A B
A Using a low step or box one
foot or so in front of you, fire up
onto the box.

B Jump back down from the

platform to the ground, before
repeating.

You’re doing it wrong if…

you’re landing unbalanced.
Standing upright will help
you maintain your balance
and posture.

RESISTANCE-BAND
EXERCISES

A B
A Tie the band to a bannister
and step into it. Keep your feet
flat on the ground. You should
feel the force of the band against
your waist.

B Lean against it, allowing

your body to feel the full force
against the band and using your
arms to help your balance.

You’re doing it wrong if…

your knees are collapsing into one
another. Maintain your posture
as though you were heading into
a ski turn!

December 2018 51

50 fitness yc.indd 51 28/11/2018 23:04

 INSIDEEDGE
3 4
TECHNIQUE TIPS WITH MARK JONES
Living on the edge
The exhilarating sensation of laying speedy carved turns down the corduroy is within
reach of most confident skiers – it just takes solid skills, well-fitting boots and, ideally,
a deserted slope to hone your moves. Then it’s just down to practice and mileage
C
arving down a perfectly groomed piste on a pair
of performance skis is one of those feelings that
make skiing addictive. That sense of power and
control while riding along at 50kph-plus is, to most who
achieve it, mind-blowing.
To make this ambition a reality is technically very
simple. It may require confidence, solid basic skills and
a feel for the snow, but it’s achievable for most keen skiers.
Feeling the interaction between edges and snow and
sensing what’s going on at foot level are the keys to
opening this door. You need to be balanced over the whole
foot, which requires an excellent boot set-up. Oversized
boots, badly matched footbeds or mismatches on flex
won’t make it easy for you to deliver the goods.
Carving takes practice and mileage. Improvement
comes from being able to feel what’s happening beneath
your feet and making minor alterations as required to
keep the skis on track. This does mean you’ll tend to focus
on your own world and may be less aware of what’s going
on around you, so practise on quiet pistes, free of people.
The forces that get fired back to you
can be truly immense: racers will
regularly punch out three times their
own bodyweight through a turn
2
52skiclub.co.uk
www.skiclub.co.uk
52 Technique SB203 yc hj.indd 2
 Five steps to
smoothness: GETTING STARTED
feeling what’s
going on at foot Gentle, groomed terrain is the best environment for
level is crucial
getting the feel of carving and learning where your skis
can take you. Focus on the following moves with the
edges to get the skis working at 100%. Before making
your first turn, generate some speed, which means
starting your run direct down the fall line and then rolling
into your first turn. If you start with a slow traverse you
may be forced into skidding to get the skis to turn.
As you move down the hill stand on the outside
edge of the outside ski to create a platform that
will allow you to balance and move through the rest
of the turn.
Roll both edges over at exactly the same time.
Making this movement simultaneous with both
skis will give you an amazing smooth feeling as you roll
into the turn.
Once onto the new edge, keep building the edge
angles so both skis are increasing their angle
throughout the curve (1), (2), (3). This will build the grip
so you have maximum support where you need it; right
through the apex of the turn.
Once the edges are getting close to maximum angle
you will be steering out of the turn and back up the
hill (4). Now it’s time to get back onto that top edge of
the top ski (5), create a platform and start all over again!
28/11/2018 21:20
 FACTFILE
Mark Jones is a director of

SKI BOOT LAB

ICE (icesi.org), a training centre
based in Val d’Isère, France. Qualified
to BASI Level 4, he is a trainer and
assessor for BASI and is a member of
the National Education Team which
showcases technique and teaching SPECIALISTS IN SKI BOOTS,
worldwide. Mark is also in
charge of the SCGB ski
SKI BOOT FITTING, CUSTOM SKI INSOLES
testing team. & CUSTOM LINERS

Photo: www.konradbartelski.photography

At Profeet we specialise in ski boot fitting and

customisation. Ski boots rarely fit correctly out of
the box so investing in a personalised fit will help
to enhance your performance and comfort.

GOING STEEPER AND FASTER

Take your time building up to steeper terrain. When the
skis engage on this type of terrain the forces that get
fired back to you can be truly immense: racers will Foot assessment and Custom insoles help distribute
regularly punch out three times their own bodyweight selection of the right shell pressure, reduce fatigue and
through a turn. This will be beyond most mortals, but for your foot shape is the improve proprioception.
gives you the sense of the power that can come back key to a great fit.
through the skis.
On steeper slopes you need to be even more in touch
with your balance, be physically strong and have a really
good handle on basic carving skills. You should still start
your run by going direct down the fall line, but obviously
your speed will pick up very quickly, so engage that first
turn soon after you’ve set off.
At the start of the turn you won’t have time to stand
on the top ski and create a platform. Instead, allow
the skis to move through underneath your body and out Adapting the shell and liner to Custom liners and heaters can
onto the new edges. As this happens, ‘feel’ for the top ski the contours of your foot and be added for improved foot
but don’t fully engage pressure against it. leg maximises comfort. hold, comfort and warmth.
While the skis are quite light it can help to drift or
‘smear’ them into a direction more facing down the
fall line. This will allow you to have already set up a great “The difference that it makes is considerable,
steering angle before really pulling the trigger and going every skier ought to take the time to get their
for maximum grip. boots right before any ski holiday.”
When it feels right, stand against the outside ski
Konrad Bartelski - Former British Team Skier
and immediately start building up those edge
angles. You will need to brace against the outside ski “@24HRJOY from my perfectly fitted boots!”
much more firmly than on easy terrain.
Although it’s steep, try to steer a smooth round arc. Emily Sarsfield - Team GB Ski Cross Athlete
If the turn is too sharp the skis will get overloaded
and break out. Connect and build with the edges and let
the skis steer the arc.
When you are near the end of the arc, release all
that pressure from the outside ski. This will allow
the skis to flow through under your body and out onto
the edges for the next turn.
By appointment: 020 7736 0046
Profeet 867 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5HP profeet.co.uk

52 Technique SB203 yc hj.indd 3 28/11/2018 19:23

 INSIDEEDGE

The
perfect pitst p Our reporters check out the world’s best mountain restaurants.
This time: Top Mountain Crosspoint, Hochgurgl, by Yolanda Carslaw

T
he ski world has a habit of devising English names
that don’t quite roll off the tongue. K2 Supercharger
RMotion 2. Romantik Hotel Jolanda Sport.
Salomon Icon2 C Air. Top Mountain Crosspoint Restaurant.
This last one, by the toll booth on the Timmelsjoch mountain
pass, opened a couple of winters ago and also houses a
motorbike museum. Last spring, on a family trip to
Obergurgl, one of my favourite resorts in the Alps, we

PHOTO ALEXANDER MARIA LOHMANN

headed there on day one. And day two. And three…
With its large curved terrace (echoing the undulating
roof), sturdy tables and benches (with varying sun
exposure) and brilliant kids’ playground (adjacent to said
terrace) the outside space is hard to beat. Inside is
spacious, yet cosy and comfy, with a beamed ceiling,
wood-clad walls, inviting seating, industrial light fittings,
a bar, wood-stove and biker and mountain curios lining
the walls and acting as partitions.
Its location at the eastern extremity of Hochgurgl’s ski
area means it’s peaceful. It’s in the base station of the
p Retro bikes mix
Kirchenkarbahn gondola, which three years ago replaced
with mountain
the t-bar of the same name – a challenging ride that left paraphernalia at
this side of the mountain deserted. Oddly, it still is.
The restaurant is well placed for groups of mixed energy
this restaurant/ CLUB CONCOCTIONS
museum combo
levels as you can send teenagers up for ‘just another run’ if
you want to break earlier than them (or vice versa); with an WHITE MULLED WINE
ounce of common sense they won’t get lost. Phase two of Love vin chaud but hate the mess it makes of your
the Kirchenkar opens this winter, giving access to an extra carpets/clothing/kitchen at parties? Try this spiced
few hundred metres of vertical, so top to bottom will be an hot white wine recipe passed to a Wimbledon HQ
even better leg-burner now. insider by Rene Schick from Central Sports, Anzère.

TYROL WITH A TWIST WHAT YOU NEED

And the food? Locally, the bar is high, revolving around
superb quality Tyrolean staples. Top Mountain Crosspoint
goes further, with imaginative takes on local favourites
(chilli croutons in the garlic soup; hot cheese dumpling as
part of a salad), plus dishes little seen elsewhere on the
mountain: Ötztal smoked char fillet with horseradish and
red cabbage salad, or beef carpaccio.
Of course there’s Gulaschsuppe and Wiener Schnitzel
too. Plus there are crisp, thin pizzas that the children in
our party adored. These started at €11; Tiroler Gröstl, Spag
Bol and Käsespätzle are just under €15; Apfelstrudel €5.80.
Waiting staff are swift and smiley, and the owners,
identical twins Alban and Attila Scheiber, sometimes
appear. Local entrepreneurs who also operate Hochgurgl’s
Tophotel, ski school, lift company, other restaurants and
even the Timmelsjoch road itself, they’re keen motorcyclists
and their passion drove the whole project.
Proof of the place’s success is the presence during all our
visits of non-skiing, car-borne locals filtering in for lunch,
and perhaps an afternoon spin around the museum’s
270 bikes as we head back out for our afternoon turns.
Know a gem of a piste-side restaurant? Tell us your
favourites by writing to snowmail@skiclub.co.uk
6 litres dry white wine
4 litres tap water
8 star anise
8 cinnamon sticks
3 oranges
500g honey or brown sugar
Dark rum (a dash, a splash… according to taste)
Tools: Massive saucepan, wooden spoon, ladel,
chopping equipment
HOW TO MAKE IT
Put the wine, water, star anise and cinnamon sticks
in the pan over a moderate heat. Chop the oranges
roughly, leaving the peel on. Once the mixture is hot
add the honey or sugar; stir to dissolve, then add the
oranges and the rum. Simmer for about an hour then
serve, adding more rum if needed. Keep spare
ingredients to top up, as you can re-use the spices
and oranges (or add more). Just don’t forget the water
when you do your second batch; it’s lethal without...
Tell us your mountain recipes: we’ll test them
out and print the best ones here

54 skiclub.co.uk

54 Perfect pitstop SB203 hm yc hj.indd 54 28/11/2018 19:28

 Contact us to find out
about our latest availability
call our team on 020 8410 2022
or even visit skiclub.co.uk,

house adst.indd 75 29/11/2018 11:13

 INSIDEEDGE
BOOKS
How the heart of the Trois
Vallées beat ever stronger
Arnie Wilson enjoys a passionate account of Méribel’s gentle evolution to mega-resort
I
t’s 80 years since Méribel opened its first lift –
a giant sledge powered by a tractor engine. To
celebrate, Jean-Marie Choffel, the ski area’s
former tourist director for 20 years, has compiled an
engrossing book – liberally sprinkled with historic photos.    out with the great French ski champion Emile Allais. The
As early as 1925 Arnold Lunn had identified what would
become Les Trois Vallées as an ideal wintersports site. A
year later, a 15hp Renault was the first “resident” car. By
1928 electricity had been installed in the valley. Although
Méribel had been occupied by German forces during the
war, it had also concealed Resistance groups in two
chalets. One of them – Chalet Corbey – was burnt down by
occupation troops but later rebuilt as a hotel.
Méribel was a hamlet – but marked for great things. It’s
said the name was chosen in 1938 because “Merry Bell”
– named after one of the valley’s hamlets, and now called
Méribel-Village – was an easy play-on-words for the
British.  The man who waved the wand to start its gentle
evolution was a British Lieutenant Colonel, Peter Lindsay.
Before the war, he’d visited the Les Allues valley and
asked André Tournier, a guide from Chamonix – creator of
Peter Lindsay returned to Les
Allues and started developing
Méribel with Count Jean de
Gaillard de la Valdenne – a
French air-ace in WW1
56 skiclub.co.uk
56 Books SB203 yc nl hj.indd 56
one of France’s first ski schools and on the 1930s French ski p Brigitte Bardot
team – to show him round on skis. Tournier, a former with instructors in
member of the Chasseurs Alpins (the French army’s elite 1966. Above right:
mountain infantry) knew the valley well, having scouted it the ski school in
1963, in front of
Hotel Grand Coeur
pair climbed La Saulire on skins and skied to Brides-les-
Bains – a 12km run.
Lindsay’s son David, who set up a ski
school in Méribel, said: “It’s said my father
fell in love with the valley that very day.”
After the war, Lindsay senior returned
to Les Allues and started developing
Méribel as a ski area with Count Jean de
Gaillard de la Valdenne – a French air-ace
in WW1 and the originator of the planned
ski resort project whom he’d met in 1937
when he’d visited London to seek
investors. Lindsay moved to the Les
Allues area to take over from Count de la Valdenne for “six Méribel –
or nine months” until a full-time manager could be found. Coeur des
But he stayed for 25 years until his death, at 71, in 1971. 3 Vallées
Méribel’s first lift was pulled by rope with a tractor since 1938
engine – the télétraîneau, or Red Dragon, as it was named
by the Brits. It skirted the current Télébar’s location and
by Jean-Marie
Choffel
ended near the Cave de Burgin (close to today’s Folie €25 (meribel.net)
Douce restaurant). Also bolted to the sledge were 19 metal
chairs. “It was never in danger of breaking speed limits,”
says David. The first chairlift didn’t appear till 1968.
Les Allues became suburb of Méribel (then two hamlets
– Musillon and Morel – but now “the heart” of the Three
Valleys). The former commune of St-Bon is now better
28/11/2018 19:49

known for Courchevel, and the Belleville Valley is home to
Les Menuires, Val Thorens and St Martin de Belleville.
“The accepted model in ski-resort development was that
the land makes the money and the lifts make none,” says
David. “My father’s approach was different. He thought
the sale of a plot by the land company could provide the
finance to build a lift. As he never became a property
developer neither company made much money. And
because he did not sell land to other developers, Méribel-
les-Allues, the first of the Three Valleys to emerge as a ski
area, developed slowly and charmingly.”
In 1961 an Air-Neige plane, its undercarriage equipped
with skis, landed at the Arpasson area. Jean-Marie Choffel
writes: “The resort seized the opportunity and levelled a
landing field at what would later become the Altiport. In
1964, Méribel’s Aero-Club was born.”
That year, the French Ski Championships were held in
Méribel. In 1966 Peter Lindsay, a keen golfer, started
building the golf course. With more than two dozen hotels,
Méribel had begun attracting film stars: Brigitte Bardot,
no mean skier, had her winter quarters here.
And so 80 years since his father breathed life into the
resort, David Lindsay treasures one particular memory.
“There were advantages to being brought up in Méribel
– skiing being the most obvious,” he writes in a foreword to
Choffel’s poignant and informative book. “Being kissed by
Brigitte Bardot came a close second.” Over lunch he adds:
“I was three, so not entirely in charge of who kissed me.”
56 Books SB203 yc nl hj.indd 57
French focus
for 2018/19
WTSS
Where to Ski
in France
by Chris Gill & Dave Watts
£11.99 (skibooks.uk)
Reviewed by Alf Alderson
p Jean-Marie
Choffel with
his wife, Edith.
Top right: the
W
here to Ski in France is a kind of rehash of
top section of
the excellent, but now no longer in print,
the three-stage
Where to Ski & Snowboard. If like me you
Burgin-Saulire
‘gondola’ in used to be an avid reader of what was once described as
the 1960s ‘the skier’s bible’ you’ll be glad to see at least part of
that venerable tome back in print.
The original ‘Where to Ski…’ covered several
hundred resorts around the world, whereas ‘Where
to Ski in France’ – well, it does what it says in the title
(there’s a sister volume to Austria too).
There’s a big advantage to this focus on just one
country as it allows the editors to feature more resorts
and more detail than they could in the old guide.
And there certainly is plenty of detail – from
beginner to expert there’s stacks of useful info on
where you’ll find the best skiing in your resort of
choice, along with piste maps, details on travelling to
your resort, accommodation, ski schools, restaurants,
off-slope activities and so on.
It’s hard to think of anything that the authors
have missed out – so much so that the format is a bit
crowded and busy at times, but from a personal point
of view it’s still far more fun to sit down of an evening
and plan your next ski holiday with this new print
guide than it is doing it online.
December 2018 57
28/11/2018 19:49
 INSIDEEDGE

Follow your Leaders

Insider knowledge? Tick. Tasty lunches? Tick. New friends? Tick. Skiing or snowboarding
with a Ski Club Leader is all about finding the best conditions, routes and pit-stops

 Explore the
mountains, safe
in the knowledge
you’re with a
pro in the know

T
he Leader service is a cornerstone of Ski Club
WHERE? WHEN? SOCIAL HOUR VENUE LEADER TEL (+44)
membership. With hundreds of volunteer
Leaders across 18 resorts worldwide, the AUSTRIA
programme gives members the opportunity to enjoy Ischgl 5 Jan to 6 Apr Kiwi Bar 07540 048546
and explore the mountains with other enthusiasts.
Kitzbühel 5 Jan to 30 Mar Glockenspiel Restaurant Bar 07540 048545
Each Leader is typically stationed in a resort for two
weeks at a time, where they run a varied programme Mayrhofen 5 Jan to 30 Mar Mo’s Cafe 07540 048566
of social skiing and snowboarding that includes on Obergurgl 15 Dec to 13 Apr Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl 07540 048539
and off-piste days. You’ll be taken to the best snow,
Zell am See 5 Jan to 30 Mar Insider Bar 07540 048547
the quietest runs and the most inviting restaurants.
Some members come along by themselves, others SWITZERLAND
come with friends or family. Everyone is welcome. Davos-Klosters 5 Jan to 23 Mar Sunstar Park Hotel 07540 048552
Leaders host a social hour six evenings a week and
Grindelwald 12 Jan to 23 Mar Derby Hotel 07540 048553
provide daily snow updates to Ski Club HQ. These are
published on the website, and many members enjoy ?Klosters? ?5 Jan to 23 Mar Silvretta Park Hotel 07540 048532
reading about snow conditions and Ski Club action in Mürren 5 Jan to 30 Mar Hotel Eiger 07540 048555
Leader resorts during the weeks leading up to their trip.
Saas-Fee 15 Dec to 6 Apr Metropol Grand Hotel 07540 048556
Non-members can try out the service for a day:
many sign up as members there and then so they can Verbier 15 Dec to 6 Apr T-Bar 07540 048557
continue. At skiclub.co.uk you’ll find details of every Wengen 15 Dec to 6 Apr Rock’s Bar 07540 048558
Leader and the resorts at which they are based this
Zermatt 8 Dec to 13 Apr Chämi Bar at Hotel Pollux 07540 048559
season. If, like many members, you have a favourite
Leader, you can plan a trip around their dates in a ITALY
particular resort and know you’ll have the pleasure Cervinia 5 Jan to 6 Apr Rotates weekly 07540 048550
of skiing or snowboarding with them.
Sauze d’Oulx 5 Jan to 6 Apr Changes weekly 07540 048551
ANDORRA
Soldeu-Grandvalira 5 Jan to 6 Apr Harp Bar 07540 048561
US
Jackson Hole 12 Jan to 16 Mar Alpenhof Bar & Bistro 07540 048527
CANADA
Whistler 5 Jan to 20 Apr Dubhlin Gate 07540 048531

HOW TO JOIN IN
Some members come along
by themselves, others Interested in skiing with a Ski Club Leader? Pre-register by completing a short form on
PHOTO VANESSA FRY

the Ski Club website – just search for the resort you’re visiting and you’ll find a list of
come with friends or family. leaders and the dates they’ll be there, plus a link to the form. Alternatively, contact the
Leader by phone (details above). Or you can simply turn up! It’s a first-come-first-
Everyone is welcome served basis for Ski Club members but Leaders try to accommodate everyone.

58 skiclub.co.uk

58 PIX TO RELINK Leaders Resort report SB203 nl hm.indd 58 29/11/2018 09:21

 Zermatt
RESORT REPORT
VITAL STATISTICS
1620-3820m, 360km of pistes, 52 lifts, one-day lift pass from CHF75
Snow
Lifts
Queue-free
Food
Charisma
21%
Ski schools
Low budget
Off-piste
W
ith the backdrop of the Matterhorn,
Zermatt offers some of the world’s
most scenic skiing. The town
started life as a farming village and has retained
its old-world feel despite its upmarket standing
and considerable growth. It is car-free yet the
streets bustle with activity, from horse-drawn
sleighs, electric runabouts and cycle-borne
locals to grizzly ski-tourers, fur-clad shoppers
and fanatical regulars for whom the skiing, the
views and the town are unbeatable.
Skiing is across three main linked areas –
Rothorn, Gornergrat and Schwarzsee-Trockener
Steg-Klein Matterhorn – with serious vertical,
from resort level at 1,620m to the top at 3,820m,
and a lift system that combines the cutting edge
(the just-opened Matterhorn Glacier Ride 3S
cableway) and the quaint (the historic Gorner-
grat mountain railway). Long reds, leg-burner
blacks, cruisey blues: Zermatt’s pistes have it all
– with staggering views at every turn. Off-piste
opportunities abound, with acres of easily
accessed freeride terrain, mega-mogulfields on
the Stockhorn/Hohtälli from February onwards
and extensive springtime ski touring.
Off the back of Zermatt’s glacier, which has
FACEBOOK FEED
Where to eat? The Club’s Zermatt
Facebook group says...
“Zum See for the pinch-yourself
perfection of the surroundings,
amazing food and super-friendly
service.” Sarah
“Franz and Heidi, also known
as Findlerhof. Best veal chop I’ve
eaten in the world!” Russell
“For a cheap (for Zermatt) eat in
town, you can’t beat the Brown
Cow burgers.” Ryan
58 PIX TO RELINK Leaders Resort report SB203 nl hm.indd 59
Brilliant
all-rounder
resort
61% Can be on the
18%
pricier side
Europe’s highest-altitude skiing, are the slopes
of Cervinia and Valtournenche, linked Italian
resorts with long, forgiving and usually quiet
runs. And though Zermatt is famous for its
high-quality mountain restaurants, the Italian
side has great lunch spots too.
SKI & SAVE
So busy is Zermatt for the club that two Leaders
are based there. Meeting points rotate between
three base stations depending on the type of
ski day that’s planned. The social hour at Hotel
Pollux, from 6.30-7.30pm, is one of the club’s
liveliest – and there you’ll find members with
expertise and enthusiasm on everything from
where to find a cheap room to when the next
service is at the English church.
More than 34 club discounts are in place,
ranging from accommodation to holidays. Take
your membership card with you, as members
get discounts on equipment hire (up to 65%),
in bars and restaurants (up to 25%) and on ski
lessons (with several ski schools, up to 10%).
See opposite for Leader contacts and how to
register. Go to skiclub.co.uk to find a full list of
Zermatt discounts.
u Scenic skiing
doesn’t get
much better
MY WEEK
With Leader Paul Ubysz
SATURDAY Regulars arrive, drop
bags, then come to the social hour
at the Chämi Bar. No day off here!
SUNDAY An easy day starting at
9.30am that’s always busy with
regulars as well as first-timers. My
co-Leader and I ensure everyone
feels welcome as we deal with
paperwork (pre-registration is so
helpful). Up top, on go the skis,
out comes the suncream or on go
the goggles, and someone needs
the loo! We do a final count, sort
the two groups, then book lunch.
In Zermatt that’s a must: the good
places are deservedly busy.
MONDAY An earlier start. The
programme ramps up as the week
progresses. Some join in daily;
some duck out some days.
TUESDAY By now I know names:
mingling and stickers on rented
skis help! After après at Papperla
Pub – beer by the jug – we arrange
a parallel social hour there for the
party animals as well as the usual
gathering at Hotel Pollux. It’s
never ‘an hour’. At 8.30pm I escape
for dinner. But it’s hard to resist
the lure of music, banter and
refreshment (don’t want to get
dehydrated in the mountains).
WEDNESDAY A Cervinia/
Valtournenche day. A fantastic
Italian lunch: the confusion of the
menu… What shall we have; what
are you having; do they take
plastic; where are the loos?
THURSDAY Usually a mountain
guide takes us out to the glaciers,
or the classic Monte Rosa heli
drop, landing at 4200m.
FRIDAY The end of another week
of superb skiing and making
friends (in Zermatt I still bump into
guys I met in their teens who
worked a season, then another...
who now live there). Après-ski at
the Hennustall for a group ‘ski’ of
caramel vodka; time too to submit
the last daily snow report
(smartphone essential). Occasionally
we’ll spot a celebrity. Once Frida
from Abba handed round a band’s
hat, demanding notes not coins,
and grabbing a CHF100 from one
fat wallet; another time Roger
Taylor played drums at the resort
workers’ party. Happy days!
Paul is Leading in Zermatt
from 17 February to 3 March.
December 2018 59
29/11/2018 09:22
 INSIDEEDGE

Instructor-led
Guiding – how it works
In its third season, the Ski Club’s Instructor-led Guiding is going from strength to strength,
with an affordable programme that combines social skiing with the benefit of following
a fully qualified instructor, on and off-piste

T
he brilliant thing about the Ski Club’s  Instructor-led on a Sunday or Monday, for all members to get together
Instructor-led Guiding is that members head Guiding offers over an après-ski drink, whether or not they’re taking part
out with an instructor for a fraction of the cost great value and a in the daytime actio.
of a normal lesson. The service – devised three years ago chance to improve Booking is essential, and there’s higher demand for
your skills
in response to restrictions on Leading in France – runs off-piste than on-piste, so be sure to reserve your spot in
from 24 December at 12 resorts across France and Austria, good time to guarantee it. Information on where and when
in conjunction with ski schools such as New Generation to meet, and the session type, will be sent to you once
and Oxygene. you’ve booked.
In each resort there’s a minimum of three sessions a Go to skiclub.co.uk to book your place and search which
week, usually two half days and one full day. So great is dates the action is happening in your chosen resort.
demand in Tignes and Val d’Isère that the club organises
four full days of Instructor-led Guiding there, all off-piste,
plus two half-days on-piste. RESORTS AND PRICES
Each session is geared to a specific ability, so whether
you’re a confident intermediate, ready simply to explore There’s Instructor-led Guiding three days a week in…
with fellow members, or perhaps to be pushed, or a
Argentière Les Arcs Tignes (4 full
seasoned off-piste skier or snowboarder, there will be
Avoriaz Les Deux Alpes days/2 half-days)
something to suit you. And as well as the social element
Courchevel Méribel Val d’Isère (as
of skiing with fellow Club members, you’ll have the chance
Flaine St Anton for Tignes)
to improve under the instructor’s expert eye.
La Plagne (Austria) Val Thorens
The maximum group sizes are eight on-piste or six
PHOTO MELODY SKY

off-piste. At the off-piste sessions the instructor provides MEMBERS NON-MEMBERS

each group member with a transceiver, probe, shovel and Advance online bookings: Advance online bookings:
ABS backpack at no extra cost. Non-members are welcome £35 full day / £20 half day £70 full day / £40 half day
to join Instructor-led Guiding sessions – paying the Booking in resort: €45 full Booking in resort: €80 full
non-member rates (see box, right). day / €30 half day day / €50 half day
The instructors also host a weekly social hour, either

60 skiclub.co.uk

60 ILG Resort report SB203 hm yc.indd 60 29/11/2018 09:23

 RESORT REPORT
Flaine VITAL STATISTICS
700m-2480m, 265km of pistes, 63 lifts, one-day lift pass from €43.20
Snow
Lifts
Queue-free
Food 14% 34%
Charisma
Ski schools
Low budget 44%
Off-piste
T
he largest of five French resorts in the
Grand Massif ski area, Flaine offers
family-friendly skiing as well as
fantastic off-piste, at great value for money. The
town is visually striking: built from scratch in
the 1960s in the Bauhaus style by the architect
Marcel Breuer, its concrete jungle style is
considered a cultural landmark in France. It not
only features the normal ski amenities, but an
art gallery, library and a giant Picasso sculpture
in the town centre. The blocks aren’t to
everyone’s taste, but they provide ski-in, ski-out
convenience.
Set within a wonderful snowy bowl, the resort
boasts one of the best snow records in France,
totalling an average of almost six metres a year.
With predominantly north-facing runs, Flaine
is renowned for maintaining fantastic snow
throughout the season.
As well as excellent nursery slopes and varied
blues and reds ideal for confident intermediates,
there’s extensive off-piste terrain both within
the bowl and over the top of the mountain
ridges. Standout blacks include the Diamant
Noir and Onyx, while the Gers draglift serves
acres of usually quiet expert terrain.
FACEBOOK FEED
Which are Flaine’s best runs? The Club’s
Flaine Facebook group says…
“Gers! Off or on piste.” Linda
“The run down to Sixt with its
variety of openness at the top and
tree-lined skiing at the bottom.”
Kevin
“I love Celestine – it might be
narrow, but that doesn’t stop me
pretending I’m a downhill racer
and going straight down without
stopping, in a tuck position!” Anita
60 ILG Resort report SB203 hm yc.indd 61
Wide variety of
terrain
The ‘concrete
9% jungle’ feel may
not suit everyone
The town itself has two main parts, linked by
a funicular lift. Flaine Forum is based around a
large, traffic-free square, with the main gondola
at one side. Above that is Flaine Forêt. Samoens,
Morillon and Les Carroz are linked by lift.
SKI WITH THE CLUB
To join the Club’s Instructor-led Guiding, which
is held three days a week, it’s essential to book
in advance at skiclub.co.uk. The meeting point
is at 9.15am at the bottom of the Les Grandes
Platières cable car, with the weekly social hour
at the La Perdrix Noire pub.
The Ski Club’s Flaine chalet (see right) offers
a perfect alternative to staying in the centre of
town, and the weeks on offer with Freshtracks
are some of the most popular in the programme.
SKI & SAVE
Ski Club members get discounts of up to 65%
off various parts of their holidays to Flaine.
From accommodation with Erna Low (6% off),
holidays with Inghams or PowerBeds.com (both
5% discount) or ski rental (up to 65% off different
providers), the Ski Club can help make many
aspects of your trip even more affordable.
 Flaine: one
of France's
snowiest spots
STAY AND SKI
WITH THE CLUB
Located in Flaine’s colourful
Scandinavian-style development,
Les Chalets du Hameau, is the Ski
Club’s very own chalet. All season
long, from 22 December to 20
April, back-to-back Freshtracks
off-piste weeks are held at what’s
known as Chalet Freshtracks
(there’s another in Chamonix).
Each is geared to a specific level,
from Learn to Ski Powder (red
off-piste level) to Advanced
Powder Skills (purple and gold
off-piste level).
All Flaine Freshtracks weeks
start with an exploratory warm-
up to get your ski legs working,
followed by five days of expert
tuition. Instructors inclue Yann
Westercamp, who has been
managing Ski Club trips to Flaine
for 20 years, Alain Baudoin, former
director of ESI ski school in Flaine,
and Diane Moreau, who has
tremendous knowledge of the
area. To round off the season, the
Club’s Flaine exploration week
includes a couple of hours’ ski
touring each day to explore
the Grand Massif more fully.
Prices range from £899 to £1150,
including chalet board, five days’
instruction and transceiver hire.
December 2018 61
29/11/2018 09:23
 INSIDEEDGE

The new
meaning
of smart
This winter sees ski kit getting clever,
with forward-thinking designs
backed up by serious technology 1
WORDS HARRIET JOHNSTON PHOTOS STEVEN HADDOCK

L
ike a work of science fiction, this year
ski wear is getting smart. From fabrics
equipped with personal thermal
regulation systems, to e-textiles and laser finishing,
smart tech is seeping into our clothing. Cutting-edge,
high-tech innovation is no longer reserved
exclusively for our phones – it’s more apparent than
ever in ski kit this year, particularlywith regard to
textile processing and sourcing as well as smart
fabrics. These ‘intelligent’ fabrics, it is said, will be
able to react and respond to different environments
and therefore protect the wearer – so your jacket may
be ready for an incoming snowstorm before you are.
Brands like Picture Organic provide insight into
this – with their forward-thinking approach to
creating organic, recycled and bio-sourced products.
Meanwhile British clothing company Planks has
joined up with Olympian James ‘Woodsy’ Woods to
design a high-tech hoodie.
Industry leaders Helly Hansen remain at the
forefront of innovation, developing their temperature
regulation in jackets like the Slingshot. You do pay a
price for it – the Slingshot jacket is £600, almost three
times the price of several other jackets listed here.

SKI CLUB MEMBERS GET 10% TO 15% OFF

AT THE MAJOR BRITISH RETAILERS LISTED BELOW

1. PICTURE MILK FLOWER PRINT JACKET £240

Snow+Rock: snowandrock.com / Cotswold Outdoor: cotswoldoutdoor.com
TSA: snowboard-asylum.com / Ellis Brigham: ellis-brigham.com A fun jacket to ride in, which translates easily from slope
Mountain Warehouse: mountainwarehouse.com to street. With it’s longer cut and ribbed hem, it could
Go Outdoors: gooutdoors.co.uk / 686: 686.com seem like a low-tech jacket. But combined with it’s
Arc’teryx: arcteryx.com / Eider: eider.com / Helly Hanson: hellyhansen.com recycled polyester base, and vegan materials, and it’s
Panda: pandaoptics.co.uk / Reusch: reusch.com more than just a trend piece.
Picture: picture-organic-clothing.com / Salomon: salomon.com/uk
Schöffel: schoffelcountry.com / Smith: smithoptics.com Spyder: spyder.com Sustainably sourced materials
Tenson: tenson.com / Uvex: uvex-sports.com Not to everyone’s taste
686 Standard pants (£90), Smith Scout helmet (£90), Uvex GGL Take
off goggles (£130) Picture Boogey gloves (£90)

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 2
2. PICTURE PANEL JACKET £235
Like the women’s Milk jacket, the Picture Panel has a
recycled polyester base, sustainably sourced materials
and a durable PFC-free water-repellent treatment –
making it a future facing, stylish jacket for a
reasonable price.
Trendy piece that’s been sustainably produced
Long length may not be to everyone’s taste
3. PICTURE UNDER PANTS £180
A black pair of pants is also essential to anyone’s ski
kit – and this Picture pair are a good option for
anyone who likes their clothing ethically sourced.
The high-waist powder skirt is comfortable, while the
denim-style pockets and shoelace belt add a fun
touch to the trousers.
Fun additional details and great snowskirt
Fit may be a little “street” for some
Uvex Primo helmet (£130), Panda Optics goggles (£119)
62-69 FOLIOS WRONG AND PIX TO RELINK SNOW WEAR hj2 yc.indd 63
4. ARC’TERYX SENTINEL JACKET £465
This shell is one of the most versatile from Arc’teryx
collection, combining a cool style and fit with high
profile backcountry performance.
Good backcountry jacket
Snug fit may not suit everyone
5. 686 STANDARD PANTS £90
These trousers do what they say on the tin – a standard,
but reliable and most importantly, affordable pair of
trousers. It’s the best value for money while offering all
the necessities you’ll need on the mountain.
Affordable, practical staple trousers
A little unadventurous for some
Coal The Uniform hat (£22), Picture Boogey gloves (£90),
Uvex helmet 400 visor (£180)
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29/11/2018 09:46
 INSIDEEDGE
6. HELLY HANSEN SLINGSHOT JACKET £600
One of the most high-tech jackets featured, this
packed insulated shell jacket with a waterproof/
breathable stretch fabric and innovative Life Pocket
that claims to preserve battery life. The H²Flow™
System turbocharging mechanical venting keeps you
dry, warm and cool depending on the outside
conditions.
Mechanical venting
On the pricey side
7. SPYDER DARE GTX PANTS £300
The tailored-fit Dare pant, with gore-tex waterproofing
and Thinsulate warmth… It comes with adjustable,
removable suspenders and articulated knee
construction.
Tailoring and removable suspenders mean they’re
a great fit
More expensive than other options
Ortovox Melange mid-layer (£140), Uvex primo helmet (£130), Smith
I/O Mag goggles (£230)
64 skiclub.co.uk
62-69 FOLIOS WRONG AND PIX TO RELINK SNOW WEAR hj2 yc.indd 64
8. MAMMUT ALYESKA ARMOR HS HOODED JACKET £539
This hardshell is the latest armour jacket from Mammut
and provides a durable outer layer for any serious
off-piste or touring skier. With it’s regular fit design, it’s
produced to fit with technical layering. The fit comes up
a little short on the body, especially with a midlayer but
overall a strong investment piece.
Durable jacket for off-piste skiers
Fit comes up a little short on the body
9. OUTDOOR RESEARCH SKYWARD 11 PANTS £300
Lightweight but still warm, wind and waterproof,
the Skyward pants are highly technical thanks to their
AscentShell technology. Practical and durable wear,
they’re worth the higher price tag. They come up a
little small in the sizes so it’s worth sizing up.
Warm, wind and waterproof
May have to size up
Uvex Plus 2.0 helmet (£100), Uvex Athletic FM goggles (£60)
29/11/2018 09:47
 10
12

11

10. ARC’TERYX ISER JACKET £600

One of the more expensive ski shells tested but also
a great performer. Warm but provides wind protection
to help prevent chill. The Gore-Tex two-layer shell block
12. PLANKS PARKSIDE RIDING HOOD/ JAMES
snow, and ThermaTek insulates from the cold.
‘WOODSY’ WOODS SIGNATURE SERIES £80
Good temperature control
Proving tech isn’t just for those ski-tourers amongst us,
Comes up slightly large in fit so it’s worth sizing down
the Parkside is designed with Repreve yarn to wick
away moisture. The DWR coating also keeps it snow
11. ARC’TERYX CASSIER PANTS £425
resistant, so whether you’re sitting on a chairlift or
Slim fit, simple but functional ski trousers from riding through the powder, you won’t end up soaking
Arc’teryx that’ll be a great fit for anyone hoping to go wet. Additional features like the internal pockets and
ski-touring or mountaineering over the season. The concealed lift pass pocket make it a high-tech hoody.
fabric is durably windproof and waterproof, breathable
A truly high-tech hoody for those who want to ride
and comfortable to wear, with a soft fleece inside.
stripped down.
Fantastic pair of staple black trousers for touring Long-line fit would make it difficult to fit under a jacket
Expensive in contrast to other pairs
Picture Slany pants (£180), Planks Peace beanie (£20), Picture
Eider Rocker gloves (£100) A Polar neckwarmer (£25), Planks High Times gloves (£30)

65

62-69 FOLIOS WRONG AND PIX TO RELINK SNOW WEAR hj2 yc.indd 65 29/11/2018 09:48
 INSIDEEDGE
13
13. TENSON KAMYA JACKET £550
The most technical of jackets on offer from this
European brand Tenson: the Dermizax and MPC
Extreme provide protection in even the most
challenging environments. It remains a fashionable
piece with removable fake fur and practical high
collar, which will protect the face against harsh
weather conditions.
Practical and hard wearing jacket
High collar may not be to everyone’s taste
Tenson Conchita pants (£185), Eider Rocker gloves (£60)
66 skiclub.co.uk
62-69 FOLIOS WRONG AND PIX TO RELINK SNOW WEAR hj2 yc.indd 66
14
14. OUTDOOR RESEARCH TRAILBREAKER PANTS £185
Sturdy pair of ski trousers from a durable and reliable
Outdoor Research brand. With hardwearing patches,
these pants are great for those looking to explore
off-the-beaten track in the off-piste.
Durable and hard-wearing
Military style may not suit everyone.
Scott Explorair 3L jacket (£265), Reusch W’s Alexa GTX Glove (£75), Uvex
Primo helmet (£130) and Panda Optics Cobalt goggles (£119)
29/11/2018 09:48

15
15. MAMMUT ALYESKA ARMOR PANTS IN
CLOVER £399
With Mammut’s Phase Weave fabric, these seamlessly
integrate and combine different material properties.
The fit is extremely tight, so it is worth sizing up in
order to feel you can move freely
Great pair of seamless ski touring trousers
Tight in fit so it’s worth sizing up
Picture Brandson hoodie (£145)
62-69 FOLIOS WRONG AND PIX TO RELINK SNOW WEAR hj2 yc.indd 67
16
16. PICTURE IZIMO MIDLAYER £100
This teddy-bear style midlayer may not be to everyone’s
taste – but it’s cosy and comfortable, with a fluffy fleece
material. How well it can work on the mountain while in
action is to be seen, but it’s a great midlayer to throw on
to enjoy après or stroll around the village.
Comfortable, cosy layer
In practice may not be that comfortable underneath
a heavy soft shell jacket
Picture Slany pants (£185)
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29/11/2018 09:48
 INSIDEEDGE

Goggles
VALUE
ST

BE
Don’t underestimate the importance
of a good pair of goggles. Here are our
favourites for next winter, offering
performance, versatility and comfort
in one good-looking package CÉBÉ STRIKER cebe.com £35
WORDS ALF ALDERSON
Not everyone wants to spend a small fortune on their ski goggles,
and for good reason – if you’re a beginner, if you only ski a few days
each winter or if you’re prone to scratching or losing your goggles,
a budget buy makes good sense, which is exactly where the Cébé
TECH EXPLAINED Striker comes in.
However, despite the bargain basement price you still get a
sound pair of goggles in the Striker, with all the essential features.
Lenses: most modern lenses are made from
ßpolycarbonates, which are more impact resistant A discreet design is teamed with a top-quality cylindrical double
lens, which has both anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, while the
and less likely to shatter than glass or traditional plastics. double-density face foam gives a comfortable fit against your face.
They are double-glazed, with the outer lens separated The Striker comes in medium and large sizes to fit most faces,
from the inner lens by a foam divider, which stops the
and there’s a choice of lens categories – come to think of it, at this
inside lens becoming as cold as the outer, making them
price you could buy two pairs for different light conditions and
less likely to steam up.
still be quids in.
Lens tint: this is the colour used to darken the lens.
ß As a rule of thumb, it goes like this: orange, gold, Fantastic value
blue or grey for sunny conditions. Amber or brown as Probably not blingy enough for goggle snobs
a good all-round option. Yellow or rose for flat light or
when it’s snowing. Clear for indoor or night skiing.
Photochromic lenses: these are usually the most E DIT O R
ß expensive and will darken or lighten according to ’

S
the light. This makes them more versatile – in effect, one

CH
pair of goggles for all conditions, without the hassle of

O IC E
interchangeable lenses. That said, most photochromic
lenses use a grey or brown tint that won’t be as good as
lenses made for snowy conditions or bright sunlight.
Polarised lenses: these block out reflections and
ß glare and are especially good in bright sunlight.
Reflective coating: these also reduce glare from
ß the sun and reflections from the snow (as well as
looking cool). The colour of the coating is not necessarily
the same as the colour of the lens tint.
Lens shape: cylindrical lenses are cheaper and
ß curve sideways across the goggles. Spherical lenses
curve in three dimensions, offering better peripheral vision.
Field of view: this is how much the goggles restrict
ß your vision, and is usually affected by the size and JULBO SKYDOME julbo.com £190
design of the lens – and the shape of the wearer’s face.
So it’s a good idea to try goggles on, with your helmet. The Skydome proved a big favourite with our testers thanks to its
Padding: most ski goggles will have two or more lay- frameless lens, which provides superb field of vision, and its light
ß ers of foam padding, usually with different densities, weight (135g); add to that the excellent Snow Tiger Category 2-3
photochromatic ‘REACTIV’ spherical double lens that our review
to allow the goggle frame to sit comfortably against your
face. They also provide a degree of insulation. model came with, and you’ve got one top-spec pair of goggles.
Ventilation: all goggles offer this, usually on the The Skydome is designed to fit specifically with Julbo helmets,
ß top and bottom of the frame in the form of small though it seems to mesh just fine with other brands. The soft
vents covered with foam. This helps to prevent the dual-density face foam and anatomic frame design provide a very
goggles from steaming up, and works best when you’re comfortable fit – so much so you don’t really notice you’re wearing
moving so that air can pass through the vents. goggles at all after a minute or two. The strap stays in place well
Straps: you’ll find adjustable, elasticated straps thanks to three silicone bands that run its full length, and it has
ß on all goggles. Some are described as ‘helmet easy-to-use symmetrical adjustment to help keep the pressure on
compatible’ – this simply means they have silicon strips your face even. Add to that great looks and a practical storage bag
on the inside, which keep them in place on your helmet. with a flexible lens protection insert, and the Skydome is a pair of
Some also have a clip so that you don’t have to stretch goggles that you should check out if you’re serious about your skiing.
the strap over your helmet, though you may find this
more of a faff. Great peripheral vision, photochromatic lens
Pricey

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68_Gear_goggles hm ni.indd 68 29/11/2018 09:25


OTG
R R
FO
B E ST
BEST
PANDA OPTICS COBALT pandaoptics.co.uk
£119
If you’re going to use interchangeable lenses, one of the easiest
methods is with a magnetic change system, which is one of the
features of the Cobalt. Its eight-point magnet system allows for
simple, fast changing of the supplied lenses – one a mirrored pear
green UV400+ polarised lens, the other a maize yellow low-light
high definition lens. The system is very secure, and we liked it a lot.
The Cobalt also features integrated anti-fog technology and OTG
(over the glasses) fit, and the frameless design looks cool as well as
providing very good peripheral vision. It’s helmet compatible and
the twin silicone bands on the inside of the strap grip like a baby
monkey, while the inner frame features very comfy three-layer dual
density foam with a fleece finish. The price also includes a storage
box, cleaning cloth and microfibre bag. All in all the Panda Cobalt is a
very good looking, very effective pair of goggles.
Magnetic lens change system; two lenses
Not as efficient as photochromatic lenses
R FL AT LIG
FO HT
T
S
BE
SALOMON X-VIEW salomon.com£70
The Salomon X-View is a quality mid-priced goggle that will appeal
to anyone looking to keep the weight down, as it comes in at just 110g.
It was also one of the most comfortable goggles on test thanks to the
combination of light weight and super-soft face foam.
The X-View comes with a multi-layer lens with 100 per cent UV
protection, which helps to reduce glare and eye fatigue in most light
conditions, and our test model featured a Cat 3 ‘Solar Blue’ lens for
sunny conditions, which matches well with the blue frame and strap
to give a cool looking pair of goggles.
The minimalist frame looks good too, and more importantly,
provides a wide field of vision; our tester didn’t find it quite as wide as
the Julbo Skydome, but it’s certainly going to be more than adequate
for the majority of users. If you’re after a good looking, mid-priced
pair of ski goggles the Salomon X-View is well worth checking out.
Good looks, lightweight
Strap buckles appear to be more flimsy compared with other models
68_Gear_goggles hm ni.indd 69
H
N S C ANG E
LE
FO
RED BULL SPECT MAGNETON specteyewear.com
£175
This is another pair of goggles with a magnetic lens change system,
and this one works very well too – indeed, you can easily change
the lenses without removing the goggles and the magnets are super
strong so there’s no danger of the lens popping out in a spill.
The Magneton comes with two lenses – a Cat 3 lens for sunny
conditions and a Cat 2 rose coloured lens, which enhances contrast
in bad light. Both have an anti-fog and anti-scratch coating.
Red Bull claim that the minimalist frame will fit any helmet, and
with its super-soft face foam it provides a very warm and comfortable
fit; if you’ve got a large face you may find peripheral vision is a tad
restricted, but for most people this shouldn’t be an issue.
The strap comes with a generous coating of silicone to keep
everything in place, and you also get a natty Red Bull soft cloth bag
to store the goggles in.
Super-strong magnets, easy to change lenses
Frame may be a bit small for larger faces; expensive
BEST FOR
PE
RI
PH
ER AL VISIO
N
SMITH I/O MAG CHROMAPOP smithoptics.com
£230
These were the most expensive goggles we tested, so you might expect
them to be a bit special – and they are. The I/O MAG uses Smith’s
MAG lens change system, a rimless design that features eight
magnetic contact points and 16 strong, weatherproof magnets that
self-guide the lens into place. Once in position, two locking
mechanical-engagement points ensure things stay put, and by
pushing a lever at either side of the outriggers the lens can be released
for quick and easy changing, although you will almost certainly
need to take the goggles off to do this. The I/O MAG features Smith’s
ChromaPop lenses, which offer wide peripheral vision and are
available in 11 tints; the goggles are shipped with a mirrored lens
for bright light conditions, and a second lens for low light or night
riding. The lenses also incorporate a ‘Porex’ filter, which prevents
optical distortion during changes in elevation, along with anti-fog
technology. The I/O MAG has a comfortable fit too.
Lots of great design features, superb fit
Expensive
December 2018 69
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swiss.indd 84 29/11/2018 11:15
 E NJOY WINTE R WITH U S
ALL IN FO RMATIO N: SA AS-FE E.C H

swiss.indd 85 29/11/2018 11:15

 INSIDEEDGE

On test: ANATOMY OF A SKI

piste skis
SIDECUT & RADIUS – Sidecut
ßis the width of the ski at the
tip, waist and tail in millimetres,
in that order, at the widest and
narrowest points. The piste skis
here start with a 65mm waist;
deep-powder skis, by contrast,
Love the sensation of carving smoothly down the corduroy? can be 120mm-plus underfoot.
Our test team presents the pick of this winter’s piste skis The radius of a theoretical circle
from these points gives the turn
WORDS MARK JONES radius. That radius will change
depending on the amount that the
skis are tilted over on the edge.
This piste selection ranges from
12m (orientated to shorter turns)
to 17m (longer turns). 
q Many of this

S
kis that are purely focused on one goal can be addictive. Once
year’s piste skis CAMBER VS ROCKER – If a
you’ve made one turn that carves a clean arc and punches you into
the next one, it’s game over – you simply want to repeat it! More
have race-like
grip but are
ßcambered ski is laid on a flat
surface its centre will be raised; this
skiers are realising this and are moving back into the world of performance user-friendly is traditionally a key characteristic
skiing on groomed runs. The reality in the mountains is that you can’t
of piste skis. Rocker is where the
guarantee fresh powder but there will always be well-groomed pistes, and if
ski has a slight rise before it gets to
you really want to make the most of them, a slim-waisted ski that’s grippy and the tip or tail: it can be combined
firm – ideally with some degree of nimbleness – is what you’ll need. with camber or a flat ski.
It’s an area where manufacturers always throw their latest technology into
the mix, so it’s constantly changing. We were genuinely astonished at the CORES – The materials used
performance of some of the new contenders this year: race-like grip combined ßin the core affect a ski’s
with user-friendliness was a common theme. performance. Synthetic or foam
This year the test team saw a super-high standard across all the brands. All is traditionally cheaper, lighter
the skis we’ve profiled here are seriously well-thought-out and the culmination and more forgiving, while wood
of a lot of research and development. Some are established designs that have laminate layers are used for the
been tweaked and improved for 2018/19, while some are brand new. Standout best quality, most responsive and
new entries include the Völkl Deacon and Salomon Blast which blew us away highest performance models.
with their range of abilities. Believe us, they can turn any easy piste into an Titanium, carbon and new
adrenaline-fest of carved turns. wonderstuffs such as Graphene
In the women’s section the Völkl Flair, a well-rounded piste performer, are also used, for damping,
responsiveness and power
retains its crown as one of our top performers, while the Rossignol Famous 8
without extra weight.
and Dynastar Intense 10 are exciting new models that have become favourites.
SIDEWALL VS CAP – A
ßsidewall, typically ABS (the
stuff Lego is made of), runs from
the metal edges of the ski to the
topsheet and optimises edge grip
and durability. Typically, sidewall
is found in upper-end piste and
some all-mountain skis. Cap
construction, where the topsheet
and other layers roll down over the
side of the ski to the metal edge,
makes for a lighter, more nimble
and less torsionally stiff ski, though
this can be debatable with, for
example, Scott’s elliptical sidewalls
being used for greater response.

E Ability level
This shows who a ski
A will suit. In this example,
it would be upper
I
intermediate to
PHOTO FISCHER SPORTS

B expert skiers.

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72-79_skiTest_203_V2SR yc hj yc2.indd 72 29/11/2018 09:34

 MEET THE JURY VÖLKL DEACON 74 BLACK £800 with binding
The Ski Club’s test team is made up of top skiers who can BUILD SIDEWALL/TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/TIP & TAIL ROCKER
offer unparalleled insights into a ski’s performance WEIGHT Not available

SIDECUT 125-74-104 | RADIUS 16m (173cm) | LENGTHS 163, 168, 173, 178
THEY SAY The steeper, the
better. The Deacon 74 redefines T OP
MARK JONES how you experience the slopes.
Head of ICE training in Val d’Isère,

PE

ER
WE SAY The team was really RF
France, BASI trainer and demo team
positive about the Deacon 74. OR M
member. icesi.org
Initially it feels very easy to
use, with great contact against
the snow, so the skier can feel
exactly what’s going on underfoot. It goes
AL MORGAN into the turn effortlessly: the well-judged nose
SCGB's former head of Member
rocker provides easy pivoting, but grips well
Services and one-time ski service
when tipped onto the edge. The Deacon is
manager. skiclub.co.uk
easy to adjust through the turn and it always
feels on your side. Precise and accurate, the
ski consistently delivers a very high level of
performance, which allows it to carve out
PETE DAVISON high performance turns with ease.
Ex-action model who now owns and
runs the LD Mountain Centre shop. Powerful edge grip but easy to adjust
ldmountaincentre.com Hard to fault

A true piste performance E

ski, so much energy from
NICKO BRA XTON
BASI Level 4 instructor with TDC in
turn to turn! Fantastic fun. A
Val d’Isère, and telemark coach. I want one! (Al Morgan). Super
tdcski.com stable at speed, real confidence I
giver, great fun in all turn
shapes (Nicko Braxton) B

JAMES ALLEN
Ex-racer James now offers coaching SALOMON S MAX BLAST £750 with binding
courses and private tuition in Val BUILD SIDEWALL/ELASTOMER, TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/STANDARD CAMBER
d’Isère. jamesallenskicoaching.com
WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 121-72-106 | RADIUS 15m (165cm) | LENGTHS 160, 165, 170, 175, 180

THEY SAY If you have a hunger

JOHN TAYLOR for speed and precision, this is T OP
An instructor with Stoked in Zermatt,
your weapon. Speed comes from
Switzerland, he runs its corporate
PE

events. stoked.ch
a full wood core, full sandwich RF
OR M ER
sidewall construction, and
double titanium reinforcement.
WE SAY The performance of
this new model feels different
WHERE TO BUY NEW SKIS from any other Salomon we’ve tested. Its level
of grip is off the scale! Edge hold is amazing on
hard icy slopes, where it is unbeatable compared
MANY SKI RETAILERS OFFER SKI CLUB MEMBERS with other skis we tested in this group. It’s also
SAVINGS ON FULL-PRICE ITEMS. THEY INCLUDE:
grippy on short carved arcs. The Blast has bags
of energy and is great fun when pushed hard.
ABSOLUTE SNOW: 15% OFF
It also works well at slower speeds and feels
BLACKS: 20% OFF
easy to adjust. This is a fantastic addition to the
ELLIS BRIGHAM: 10% OFF
FINCHES EMPORIUM: 10% OFF Salomon range.
FREEZE PRO SHOP: 10% OFF High-level performance; huge grip, yet easy to use
GLISSHOP: 10% OFF
Hard to fault
LOCKWOODS: VARIOUS DISCOUNTS
NEVISPORT: 10% OFF
SKI BARTLETT: 10% OFF
Bags of grip! Best short turns E
SNOW+ROCK: 15% OFF of the day, which was the
SNOW LAB: 10% OFF, 15% OFF SERVICING last run and icy. Super quick A
SURFDOME: 10% OFF from edge to edge; happy on long
ULTIMATE OUTDOORS: 20% OFF turns (Nicko Braxton). Cracking I
de-tuned race ski. Push it as
hard as you dare! (James Allen) B

December 2018 73

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 INSIDEEDGE

NORDICA SPITFIRE Ti £580 with binding ATOMIC REDSTER G7 £575 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER BUILD SIDEWALL/TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/TIP & TAIL ROCKER
WEIGHT Not available WEIGHT 1841g per ski (175cm)
SIDECUT 121-71-101 | RADIUS 16m (174cm) | LENGTHS 150, 156, 162, 168, 174

SIDECUT 115.5-70-102.5 | RADIUS 16.2cm (175cm) LENGTHS 161, 168, 175, 182
THEY SAY The Ti is a high- THEY SAY The Redster G7 is a super smooth,
performance carving ski for TOP precise and responsive ski for fast long turns
those who love groomers and is on the piste.

PE

ER
ideal for less aggressive skiers. RF WE SAY As you go into the turn, the
WE SAY Its construction is OR M Redster G7 feels very lively and quick. It
unchanged from last year, but has a light swing weight but is extremely
the Spitfi re still gives a strong grippy, particularly in long, fast turns when
performance when compared with the other it has strong edge hold and feels completely
skis in this group. It feels lightening quick locked into the turn. While delivering this
from edge to edge and powers up when it’s high level of performance the Redster always
on the edge. The Spitfi re feels solid in all has a very smooth, consistent flex which
turn shapes, even in short arcs – you can feel gives it great predictability through the arc.
the whole length of the ski engaging with Unfortunately on this test, the tuning was
the snow and hooking up through the turn. not very accurate so the ski felt more
Although it delivers a sense of bulletproof grabby and nervous than it normally would.
solidity when on the edge, it’s still light and However, with good tuning we are confident
easy to use at slower speeds. this would be a great ski.

Solid and stable on the edge; good in all turn shapes High grip; consistent flex; capable in all turn shapes
Hard to fault Tuning on the test skis was not great

Quick edge to edge; stable E Ski has a strong look; E

in long turns; all-rounder good grip on long
on the piste. Dependable A turns; consistent flex A
with strong level of performance with plenty of grip (Nicko
(Nicko Braxton). Nippy ski with I Braxton). Light swing I
great edge hold; light and easy to weight; grippy in short
throw around (James Allen) B turns (Pete Davison) B

BLIZZARD QUATTRO 6.9 TI £775 with binding DYNASTAR SPEED ZONE 12 TI £565 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON, TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/ BUILD VISCO-ELASTIC, TITANAL & ABS SIDEWALL/TITANAL & SYNTHETIC
STANDARD CAMBER WEIGHT Not available CORE/TIP ROCKER WEIGHT 1900g per ski (174cm)
SIDECUT 116-69-100 | RADIUS 16m (174cm) | LENGTHS 153, 160, 167, 174, 181

SIDECUT 121-72-106 | RADIUS 15m (174cm) | LENGTHS 158, 166, 174, 182

THEY SAY The Blizzard Quattro represents THEY SAY The Speed Zone 12 Ti merges
the world’s most technologically advanced World Cup calibre precision with
collection of high performance skis. smooth, responsive ski control for the
WE SAY The Quattro 6.9 Ti is a stable, most comfortable and fluid carving
powerful ski that feels totally at home sensations on snow.
when blasting out any turn shape on WE SAY The overall performance of the
the piste. In short turns its performance Speed Zone 12 Ti is very strong. Edge
will satisfy the most proficient skier, grip is extremely effective throughout
yet it’s easy to pivot which means skiers the length of the ski and it feels very
of all levels of ability will cope with it. capable in all different turn shapes. This
The Quattro is very grippy and feels ski is a complete blast for ripping around
solid and strong at high speeds and on the piste. It’s very stable at speed,
on big edge angles. This ski suits strong, predictable in the turn and rock solid
confident skiers who love going at high in any situation. At slower speeds it’s
speed on the piste. However, at slower easy to use and will suit skiers with a
speeds, some of the testers felt the ski large range of abilities. Overall the
was less reactive. 12 Ti is a hard ski to fault.

High levels of grip; strong and stable at speed Very strong performance; solid in all turn shapes
Feels less lively and engaging at slower speeds Rebound could be stronger coming out of the turn

Great for skiing hard and E Loads of life in all turn E

fast. Stable and powerful at shapes; solid at speed
speed; lots of energy coming A and easy in short turns; A
out of the turn (Al Morgan). very stable (Pete Davison).
Easy to pivot in shorts. Grippy, I Good edge grip and generally I
playful, easy to change radius versatile; a great piste ski
at speed (Pete Davison) B (James Allen) B

74 skiclub.co.uk

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 ELAN AMPHIBIO 12 TI £490 with binding FISCHER PROGRESSOR F18 £500 with binding
BUILD SIDEWALL/TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/SIDE SPECIFIC TIP & TAIL ROCKER BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON & LIGHT WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER
WEIGHT Not available WEIGHT 1800g per ski (167cm)

SIDECUT 122-74-103 | RADIUS 12-15m (167cm) | LENGTHS 153, 160, 167, 174
SIDECUT 125-78-107 | RADIUS 16.5m (176cm) | LENGTHS 152, 160, 168, 176

THEY SAY Finding one ski that does everything THEY SAY If you love speed but also enjoy
on groomed runs just got easier with the more relaxed skiing at times, this is the ski for
Amphibio 12 Ti. High speed long turns – check. you. With its Razorshape it is balanced in every
Short turns on steep terrain – check. Cruising turn for stability and fun. And light but strong
at moderate speeds – check. Carbon Tex gives extra stability.
WE SAY The great looking Amphibio 12 Ti WE SAY The Progressor F18 is a light ski that
has a specific left and right ski which makes feels easy to use for any level of skier. Once
it a stand-out from the others we tested in up to speed, it grips well, and always feels
this group. The ride is sensationally smooth agile and ready to adjust through the arc of
and the ski always feels connected to the the turn. It’s in its element with medium
surface. It excels in all turn shapes and gives turns at mid range speeds where it carves
a high all-round performance. Edge hold out smooth, round arcs. When pushed to
and stability at high speed are very strong very high speeds on hard snow it can start
and it feels as if the 12 Ti’s limits are set to drift and feel less solid. Overall, this is
high. It also has stacks of high performance a great ski for entry level skiers who want
at slower speeds but it still feels easy to use something that’s easy to use but will give
and accessible to all levels. them a great response.

Awesome ride; performs well in all turns; all-rounder Easy to use; light and playful; great in medium arcs

Hard to fault Starts to lose grip at high speed in long turns

Great ski for the price. E Good price for an E

Smooth ride; looks good; all-rounder; solid and
very versatile (James Allen). A smooth in long turns (James A
Plenty of edge hold, even Allen). Easy and versatile with
when pushed. Looks expensive; I loads of life and grip; I
light; nimble and playful agile and fun in short turns
(Nicko Braxton) B (Pete Davison) B

KÄSTLE MX74 £770 K2 CHARGER M3 £535 with binding

BUILD SIDEWALL/TITANAL & WOOD CORE/STANDARD CAMBER BUILD SIDEWALL/CARBON & WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER
WEIGHT 1723g per ski (172cm) WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 124-74-105 | RADIUS 14.7m (172cm) | LENGTHS 148, 156, 164, 172, 180

THEY SAY With a new innovative sidecut, THEY SAY Precise and accurate feel for ripping
SIDECUT 126-76-105 | RADIUS 17m (175cm) | LENGTHS 161, 168, 175

Hollowtech 2.0 and race-inspired construction, groomers all day.

the MX74 is the most dynamic all-mountain WE SAY The K2 Charger M3 is an easy,
ski in the Kästle model line. accessible all-rounder for aspiring carving
WE SAY As seems to be the norm with the Kästle skiers. Underfoot it feels light, very playful
skis we test, the MX74 is a high quality piece and generally great fun for all types of turn
of equipment. The ride is super smooth with shapes and the profile works well in
near race levels of grip, giving skiers loads of allowing an easy, effortless entry into the
confidence and allowing them to push the limits turn. As speeds increase, the construction
of the MX74, comfortable in the knowledge that sets up a smooth ride, while edge grip is
it can take anything they throw at it. The flex is solid and reassuring, particularly in soft,
consistent, predictable and smooth and makes well-groomed snow. It’s a perfect blend of
it easy to read the direction of the ski through ease of use combined with solid performance.
the arc. It feels best suited to longer, faster The M3 feels best suited when producing
arcs. In short turns it’s grippy but can feel wide medium to long arcs; in short turns it works
underfoot. This is a well-engineered, beautiful well but due to its light weight lost a bit of
ski although the price reflects that. grip in the hardpack.

Very grippy; smooth ride; quality shines through Light, easy to use; smooth ride; good grip in long turns

Hard to fault; a bit slower edge to edge in short turns Feels less solid in short turns on hard pistes

The Bentley of piste skis! E Cracking all-rounder that’s E

Smooth; no effort; soaks up been a real surprise to me.
rough terrain (James Allen). A Light and easy to use, A
Harder work at slower speed due but surprisingly stable (James
to heavy swingweight, but grippy I Allen). Rewards good skiing I
and loves to be opened up in but might not suit an aggressive
long turns (Pete Davison) B skier (John Taylor) B

December 2018 75

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 INSIDEEDGE

HEAD SUPERSHAPE I.MAGNUM £610 with binding MOVEMENT REVO TITANAL 86 £625
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON, TITANAL & WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON, ELASTOMER, TITANAL & WOOD
WEIGHT Not available CORE/TIP ROCKER WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 131-72-110 | RADIUS 13.1m (170cm) | LENGTHS 149, 156, 163, 170, 177

THEY SAY The Supershape i.Magnum is our THEY SAY The Ti is a high performance carving

SIDECUT 136-86-117 | RADIUS 14m (175cm) LENGTHS 169, 175, 181

most versatile Supershape, delivering easy ski made for skiers who love groomers. But since
to handle, all day, on piste performance for it is built with a wood core and only one sheet of
high end recreational carving. metal, it’s not so demanding, making it ideal for
WE SAY The long-standing Supershape less aggressive skiers.
has been a great performer in ski tests. WE SAY Initially, the Revo felt the odd one out
Although there is no change this year, the in this category because of its width – 86mm is
ski still delivers its usual strong performance. fairly fat to pull off a lively piste performance.
In all turn shapes it feels solid on the edge Once up to speed, though, it feels solid on the
with high levels of grip and the ability to deliver edge and has a high level of grip, particularly
that high performance in any type of turn. underfoot. This is matched to a smooth flex,
A strong characteristic of the i.Magnum which gives a confidence-inspiring ride, making
is its wide shovel, which really pulls the it suited to blast out long turns in trickier snow.
skier into the new turn. In medium arcs, However, the extra width counts against it in
in particular, this is an inspirational ski, short, grippy turns where it’s slow from edge to
and, due to its light construction, it feels edge and struggles to provide the razor sharp
very easy to use. characteristics of some of its rivals on hardpack.

Great all-rounder; solid and stable on the edge Grippy in long turns; strong for blasting through crud
Hard to fault; slower on to the edge in short turns Slow and lacking agility in shorter turns on hardpack

Wow! Light, lively and bags E Would suit a skier looking for E
of grip, but forgiving at all a cruising piste ski that can
speeds. Easy to change A be taken off the side when A
turn shapes (Pete Davison). conditions are good. Very smooth
Great ski at low and high speed; I flex (James Allen). Basically an I
easy to use for lower level skiers all-mountain ski; works well in
(Nicko Braxton) B soft snow (John Taylor) B

ROSSIGNOL PURSUIT 700TI £575 with binding

BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/TITANAL & WOOD CORE WITH HONEYCOMB WOMEN’S PISTE SKIS
TIP/TIP ROCKER WEIGHT Not available

MEET THE JURY

SIDECUT 127-73-109 | RADIUS 15m (177cm) | LENGTHS 163, 170, 177, 184

THEY SAY A powerful piste carving machine,

the new Pursuit 700Ti delivers power, precision
and playful carving performance to skiers.
WE SAY The new Pursuit initially feels easy EILIDH MCLEOD
to use: turn initiation is effortless and it Former British Ski Team member
feels very comfortable at slower speeds. It coaching under-16s for international
has a great connection with the snow with races. kandaharracing.com
an all-round ease of use that many skiers
will love. Grip seems to be generated from
the middle of the ski, making it feel solid and
building confidence, particularly in medium- HANNAH LUKE
radius turns. As speed ramps up, the tip of BASI Level 4 instructor with New
the ski, which seems to help in turn initiation, Generation in Val d’Isère, France.
feels less engaged, so that the grip is not felt skinewgen.com
through the whole length of the ski. However,
as a ski for skiers with more entry-level carving
abilities, the Pursuit would work really well.
LYNN MILL
Easy to use; easy turn initiation
Ex-British champion who instructs in
Lacks grip through the ski’s shovel at high speeds Val d’Isère and is a coach for British
Parasport. valdskiinstructors.com
User friendly; accessible E
and easy to use. Tip feels
too soft for grip at high A
speeds (Nicko Braxton). An easy ROWENA PHILLIPS
ski to jump on and use but more I BASI Level 4 instructor at Matterhorn
Diamonds in Zermatt, Switzerland.
powerful skiers will reach their matterhorn-diamonds.com
limits with it (John Taylor) B

76 skiclub.co.uk

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 DYNASTAR INTENSE 10 £425 with binding
BUILD VISCO-ELASTIC, TITANAL & ABS SIDEWALL/SYNTHETIC CORE/TIP
BELLA SEEL ROCKER WEIGHT 1800g per ski (160cm))
Fully certified instructor now
running ski concierge service

SIDECUT 120-73-104 | RADIUS 12m (160cm) | LENGTHS 146, 153, 160, 167
ALS. alsprivate.com THEY SAY Designed for
advanced women skiers, the TOP
Intense 10 merges award-

PE

ER
winning technology with our
RF
NATASHA EDWARDS women-specific construction for OR M
BASI Level 3 and ISIA rated the most comfortable and fluid
instructor with New Generation carving sensations.
ski school. skinewgen.com WE SAY Dynastar has a history
of producing piste-focused skis, and was one
of the fi rst to make women-specific skis. This
experience shines through with the Intense
SPONSORS 10. It starts with an easy turn initiation and
a light feeling underfoot, then once engaged
into the turn, it feels strong and grippy on the
WITH THANKS TO PLANKS, SALOMON AND
edge. Despite its lightness it’s very stable and
ARMADA, WHICH SUPPLIED CLOTHES,
performs at high speed. It works well in all turn
AND SCOTT, WHICH ALSO SUPPLIED
shapes and is faultless on groomed runs.
GOGGLES AND POLES.
Easy to use; performs well at high speed; great grip
Some testers found the binding mount too far forward

Very playful; explosive in E

short turns. Makes you
smile; very agile and quick A
underfoot (Eilidh McLeod)
Fantastic all-round ski – stiff, I
grippy and stable. Great value
(Natasha Edwards) B

ROSSIGNOL FAMOUS 8 £535 with binding VOLKL FLAIR SC £575 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/ELASTOMER & WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER BUILD SIDEWALL/STEEL & LIGHT WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER
WEIGHT 1600g per ski (163cm) WEIGHT 2806g per ski, including bindings (163cm)

THEY SAY The Famous 8 is the THEY SAY This lively,

SIDECUT 122-73-103 | RADIUS 14.3m (163cm) | LENGTHS 153, 158, 163
SIDECUT 127-73-109 | RADIUS 13m (163cm) | LENGTHS 1149, 156, 163

women’s piste ski for expert to TOP easy-handling tip rocker slalom TOP
advanced skiers. It features our carver makes the corduroy
PE

PE
ER

Prop tip technology for an ultra RF

OR M
a true playground for advanced RF
OR M ER
light swing weight and Power to expert skiers.
Turn profi le. WE SAY This is a punchy,
WE SAY The 8 is in the middle powerful ski that can give a very
of the Famous range and is high level of performance on the
aimed at working well with all abilities. This piste. Grippy and solid, it’s capable of
can be seen in its performance: it feels grounded carving any type of turn shape. The
to the snow, gives a smooth ride and always Flair SC feels predictable through the
has consistent, predictable edge grip. It’s turn and is very grippy when on the edge
stable through a full range of speed and turn – it works really well when carving turns.
shapes. The 8 feels like an extension of the skier Its main attribute is that it delivers a
providing amazing, detailed feedback, while faultless performance on the piste, while
always giving a grippy, solid performance. It skis still feeling easy to use and accessible at
well above expectations and is hard to fault. slower speeds. Great ski!

Great connection with the snow; smooth and grippy Strong in all turn shapes; very grippy yet easy to use

Some felt it could be more reactive at higher speeds speeds Hard to fault

Great all-round ski; easy E Fun for an advanced skier E

to use; stable at all speeds looking for a playful ski
and easy to initiate the A that will also rip at high A
turn (Eilidh McLeod). Could speeds and long turns (Natasha
ski on it all day long! Effortless I Edwards). An inspirational ski; I
to ski, while being zappy and definitely features with the best
fun (Bella Seel) B of this category (Bella Seel) B

December 2018 77

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 INSIDEEDGE

ATOMIC CLOUD 9 £380 with binding BLIZZARD ALIGHT 7.2 Ti £630 with binding
BUILD SIDEWALL/TITANIUM & SYNTHETIC CORE/TIP ROCKER BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER
WEIGHT 1598g per ski (157cm) WEIGHT Not available

SIDECUT 119-72-101 | RADIUS 13m (162cm) LENGTHS 144, 150, 156, 162, 168
SIDECUT 118-73-99 | RADIUS 12.8m (150cm) | LENGTHS 143, 150, 157, 164

THEY SAY Our best-selling THEY SAY Blizzard’s Alight 7.2 is made
T OP
Cloud 9 balances Atomic for powerful women riders looking for a
performance with a touch of moderate, more forgiving ski that’s keen to

PE

ER
forgiveness. RF burn it up on the groomers all day long.
WE SAY The Cloud 9 is a lively, OR M WE SAY This is a sturdy ski that has some
energy-driven ski, which feels real heft in its construction. The Alight 7.2
eager to move into a turn. It’s is quite thick underfoot – the extra height
one of those skis that always feels alive and helps get some leverage against the edge
ready for action. It hooks up into the turn – while the construction feels focused on
very quickly with the shovel instantly making delivering performance. This ski feels
strong contact with the snow. And once into solid at speed with great edge grip and
the arc, its grip is solid. The Cloud 9 feels superb stability. It works well in all turn
at its best in shorter turns where the light shapes and is vibration free. At slower
construction helps it change direction quickly. speeds, however, it feels less easy to use
The stiff tail helps with acceleration coming and is not particularly forgiving, but
out of the turn, although overall the ski does for strong, confident skiers this is a
have limits on the speed it can handle. powerful ski that works really well.

Easy to use; light and lively Strong performance at higher speeds; grippy
On really high speeds on hard snow it will break away Harder to ski at slower speeds

A great value ski that hasn’t E Holds well through the E

changed because it’s so easy turn; feels solid at speed.
to use. It always encourages A Not very forgiving at A
the skier into the new turn (Lynn slower speeds (Bella Seel).
Mill). Great for those who want I Better at speed; stiff and I
an easy ski that will do well in all strong; needs an accurate
conditions (Natasha Edwards) B skier (Natasha Edwards) B

ELAN INSOMNIA £530 with binding HEAD EPIC JOY £575 with binding
BUILD SIDEWALL/LIGHT WOOD CORE/SIDE SPECIFIC TIP & TAIL ROCKER BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/LIGHT HONEYCOMB, CARBON & WOOD
WEIGHT Not available CORE/TIP ROCKER WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 120-65-100 | RADIUS 11.9m (163cm) | LENGTHS 148, 153, 158, 163, 168
SIDECUT 121-73-104 | RADIUS 14.5m (164cm) | LENGTHS 146, 152, 158, 164, 170

THEY SAY The Elan Insomnia is a quick THEY SAY The world’s lightest high-
and forgiving ski. It’s great for short and performance ski for good to advanced women
long turns with a large sweet spot that makes skiers. This timeless on-piste ski is a great fit
skiing easier on groomers all day long. for your elegant skiing style.
WE SAY It was a pleasure to see Elan back WE SAY The Epic Joy is seriously narrow;
in the mix after having been missing from 65mm underfoot really makes itself felt.
the Ski Test for a few years. The Insomnia It also has an amazingly light construction.
had great reviews from the team and, like In short turns it is fast on to the edge, feeling
all the Elans we have tested, has a strong snappy from turn to turn. Combine these
look and character. It’s a powerful, grippy factors and you have a ski that is very easy
ski that performs well at speed, gripping early to use that feels super quick on the edge. It
in the turn and giving out a silky smooth performs best in short turns, though still
ride while maintaining impressive levels carves well in medium arcs, and feels
of edge hold. Although it grips well and surprisingly solid at speed. But in long fast
is responsive, it also allows the skier to take arcs on hardpack it feels less stable. Overall the
charge and feels easy to adjust at anytime Epic Joy has a strong character and would suit
through the arc. skiers who love making shorter turns.

Interesting tech with specific right and left Light, easy to use; quick edge to edge in short turns

A little unstable at very high speeds Feels less sure in fast long turns

Obedient; simple to use; E Narrow waist allows quick E

allowed me to be the boss; edge-to-edge mobility. Best
feels stable and grippy A suited to an agile skier who A
(Lynn Mill). Love how easy it is loves short turns on piste (Lynn
to start the turn and how it grips I Mill). Easy to move edge to edge I
the whole way through the arc with its narrow width; versatile
(Eilidh McLeod) B and smooth (Hannah Luke) B

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72-79_skiTest_203_V2SR yc hj yc2.indd 78 29/11/2018 09:36

 K2 LUV MACHINE 72Ti £580 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON, TITANAL & WOOD CORE/TIP
ROCKER WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 125-72-104 | RADIUS 13m (160cm) | LENGTHS 146, 153, 160, 167
THEY SAY For those who seek out the resort’s
steepest challenges and still want to cruise
groomers with ease, the K2 Luv Machine is
your new partner on the piste.
WE SAY The Luv Machine 72Ti is focused
on speed. When the pace is ramped up, it
feels very grippy underfoot and has great
edge hold through the arc. It doesn’t seem
to matter what type of turn shape you go
for, it just needs speed for you to feel it is
working well. The Luv Machine’s construction
is quite beefy, which helps in cutting out
vibration and makes it feel more able
when up to speed. At a slower pace it
feels more like hard work and it takes more
effort to steer it and make adjustments
through the turn.
Stable and grippy at speed; rock solid at pace
Harder to steer at slower speeds
If you like a lot of ski
underfoot without the length,
this is for you. It absorbs
vibrations well; great edge hold
(Lynn Mill). Likes to go fast, but
not the easiest to get performance
from (Natasha Edwards)
NORDICA SENTRA S5 £550 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON & LIGHT WOOD CORE/TIP ROCKER
WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 119-71-99 | RADIUS 14.5m (162cm) | LENGTHS 140, 150, 156, 162, 168
THEY SAY The Sentra S5 is for confident
female skiers who desire supreme carving
performance but can also handle a variety
of snow conditions with ease.
WE SAY We were surprised at the power
of the performance from this women’s-specific
ski. The Sentra S5 is a solid, strong
and stable ski that works very well at high
speeds. Every time you’re on the edge, it
grips and fi res you through the turn with
a huge dose of acceleration, making it feel
more like a race GS ski than a recreational
carving ski. This is clearly an intense ski to
ride and would suits skiers who have excellent
technique and want to push hard on the piste.
More entry level skiers will fi nd the S5 a bit
trickier to use at slower speeds.
Powerful performance; great grip and stability
Harder work at slower speeds; not so playful
Great for an aggressive skier
who likes fast, powerful
turns; strong at speed
(Natasha Edwards). Once on the
edge it grips and sends you round
the arc like a machete through
schnitzel! (Rowena Phillips)
72-79_skiTest_203_V2SR yc hj yc2.indd 79
MOVEMENT REVO 82 WOMEN £599
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/CARBON, ELASTOMER, TITANAL & WOOD
REVO REVO
CORE/TIP ROCKER WEIGHT Not available
THEY SAY Looking for character as well as for
SIDECUT 122-82-104 | RADIUS 15m (160cm) | LENGTHS 153, 160, 168
THE FREESKI COMPANY
THE FREESKI COMPANY
softness? You’ll fi nd your happiness in the Revo
range. This must-have ski is the result of several
tests last season.
WE SAY Like the Revo 86 in the men’s category,
the 82 stands out as it has a more generous
platform than many other skis in its group.
With 82mm underfoot it could work well as
an all-mountain choice. The test team agree,
saying it feels like a tuned up all-mountain ski
because it works well at medium speeds, cruises
nicely in chopped up snow and feels solid on
the piste. On hardpack on the piste and at high
speeds the width works against it and it doesn’t
have the performance or agility of some of the
more piste-focused skis we tested.
Blasts through crud
126 - 82 - 108 126 - 82 - 108
Struggles in short turns on hardpack
Feels like a tuned-up all-
CARBON TITANAL
CARBON TITANAL
E E
mountain ski that is better174
A for long turns and choppy A
snow (Hannah Luke). Should be
I put in an all-mountain category; I
stable for long, cruisey turns on
B piste (Eilidh McLeod) B
SALOMON S MAX W 10 £500 with binding
BUILD CAP & SIDEWALL COMBO/ELASTOMER, TITANIUM & WOOD CORE/TIP
ROCKER WEIGHT Not available
SIDECUT 119-73-102 | RADIUS 14m (160cm) | LENGTHS 155, 160, 165, 170
THEY SAY Built on a powerful and stable
sandwich sidewall construction, and
supercharged with the new Edge Amplifier
system, this race-inspired rocket ship will have
you laying down fast, precise turns from day one.
WE SAY It’s great to see a stiffer women’s
specific ski coming from Salomon. The
S Max is truly different from previous
women’s models we’ve tested. Maybe it’s due
to the new Edge Amplifier design, but these
skis give out an amazing performance when
on the edge: there is zero vibration, while
edge grip is massive. It’s a ski that inspires
through every turn because the level of
performance is so high. The amount of energy
and sheer ability from the S Max W 10 is really
surprising for a women’s ski.
Zero vibration with high grip
Skier needs to be ready to go; loves to be driven hard
E Easy to initiate; quick to E
grip; amazing acceleration.
A I wouldn’t put my mother on A
it! (Eilidh McLeod). On an edge
I angle it’s brilliant, stable, has no I
vibration and even flexes through
B B
tip to tail (Lynn Mill)
December 2018 79
29/11/2018 09:36
 INSIDEEDGE

Precision footwear
Chris Exall and Rosie Young profile the best piste boots for 2018/19

I
f freeride boots are flamboyant cavaliers, then
piste boots are puritans; focused and trimmed
to the very essence of what it means to be a ski
boot, writes Chris Exall. They’re simple, almost visually
austere and with few obvious external bells and whistles.
If freeride boots are gold and bling, piste boots line up like
the suited stars of Reservoir Dogs, understated and precise.
They walk the tightrope between snug and tight; they
punish poor technique; they’re often hard to put on and
harder to take off. So why would you
want the hassle? Well, like a partner
with a strong personality, they might
If you were to paint all
be challenging, but they’re worth it.
Nothing can compete with the raw
these models grey, from
power that a well-fitted piste boot will a distance you might
Piste boots clearly share much DNA – four buckles, a side
hinge, bolts in the cuff and a beefy powerstrap. The magic
differentiators are usually hidden in the shell: carbon
reinforcements, harder plastics for support wrapping
softer materials where needed, adjustments to fine-tune
the skier’s stance in the boot, accurate to fractions of a degree.
Innovation in this category is generally incremental,
with small changes often making a big difference to
performance. It’s rare to see a model that looks radically
different from its predecessor. This
year the biggest change comes from
Salomon with its S/Max series.
Though retaining the category default
four-clip, the side hinge architecture
uses a carbon internal skeleton and

have trouble telling

send your edges. The shrink-wrapped two-part cuff.
fit means your connection to the snow These boots are not the super

them apart. The magic

is direct and there are no filters to narrow 92mm lasted weapons we see
muffle your snow-feel. Instead your on Eurosport, with shells as hard as

differentiators are usually

connection to the ski is so close that
it’s almost telepathic. If you’re not
precise and focused, the stiffer
versions can take over and start
PHOTO ROSSIGNOL/STEF CANDE
Bakelite and sock-thin liners. Boots
with a flex rating of 170 belong on
hidden in the shell superheroes in catsuits, not those of
us who travel at sub-warp speeds. Our

making decisions for you. If you’ve
a tendency to run out of skill, look at
softer flexes or consider an all-mountain boot.
Like F1 cars, if you were to paint all these models grey,
from a distance you might have trouble telling them apart.
They try to solve a simple problem; sending power to the
ski as efficiently as possible. The answer relies on the laws
of physics and biomechanics where 2+2 tends to equal 4.
favourites look just like their beefy
big brothers, but can be managed by
skiers who are good rather than great.
If your idea of a perfect ski boot is something as relaxing
and comfortable as a glass of wine in an armchair then
look elsewhere, but if great skiing, for you, involves
butterflies in the stomach that you can only get from living
on your edges then read on, there’s lots to like.

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 ATOMIC REDSTER CS 110 & HAWX ULTRA W
FLEX 110SV, 110HV, 130SV, PRO 130SV | PRICE £400, £400, £475, £535
FLEX 100SV | PRICE £400

At 96mm, these will only be comfortable out of the box for skiers
with the narrowest feet, but the heat mouldable ‘memolink’ additive
to the polyurethane shell plastic means small and medium stretches
A TO Z OF BOOTS are easy. The Redster skis best when you drive it, it’s designed for
speed and bigger arcs and the 110 flex is ideal for a lighter weekend
warrior. The 130 version is much more robust.

Binding compatibility – not all boots fit all bindings

now, especially in the hybrid and touring world.
This remains a go-to boot for those with narrow feet wanting
performance but one step down from a race boot. The new thinner
Check before you buy. plastic is stiffer, and it has memory fit for a personalised feel.

 Buckles – these should wrap evenly around, keeping

the foot snug without creating pressure points. The Heavier than some others in the category
cuff buckles are most important. Great fit for medium or even narrow feet

 Flex – boots with lower flex ratings are usually

cheaper and more forgiving. Those with harder flex
ratings are more responsive; 90-100 is middling.

 Footbed – this is an insole that sits inside the liner.

A customised footbed improves stability and gives
better foot-to-boot contact.

 Last – the template around which the shell of a boot

is shaped. It is measured in millimetres across the
widest part of the foot, and typically ranges from 96mm
to 104mm. Usually the narrower the last, the higher
the performance.

 Liner – this keeps your feet warm and comfy. Most

new ones can be custom fitted to some degree.

 Power strap – this acts as a vital extra buckle, and

is usually closed with Velcro, but some high
performance boots use a metal closure. Always do it up!

 Prices – these are listed in the same order as flex

(higher flexes are more costly).
DALBELLO DRS
 Shell – most shells are two-piece and combine a cuff
attached by a hinge to a lower part, called a clog. FLEX 130, 110, 90, 80 | PRICE £495, £415, £315, £275
Three-piece models also have an external tongue. FLEX 130, 110, 90, 80 | PRICE £495, £415, £315, £275

 Size – this is given in mondopoint (the length of

your foot in centimetres). Men’s boots usually come
in 24.5 to 30.5 (roughly UK sizes 5.5 to 11.5). Women’s
usually come in 22 to 27.5, about 5 to 10.5.
 Tongue – a well-fitting tongue cushions you
and transfers the force to the ski as you flex.
A poorly-fitting tongue can be painful.
 Volume – LV, SV or MV and HV mean low, standard
or medium and high volume.
 Walk mode – the stiff back of ski boots, vital for
performance, makes them hard to walk in. A walk
switch releases the cuff, letting it move fore and aft.
This is crucial on a touring boot, handy for short freeride
hikes, and not a bad idea for après-ski.
Where most of Dalbello’s offerings are complex designs, the DRS
is a stripped-back four-buckle affair. The DRS 110 and its iterations
are at their best for strong skiers with medium-width feet. Though
the forefoot runs at 98mm, the rearfoot, instep and cuff are a little
wider than others in this category. The boot flexes slightly above the
stated value so be careful to avoid over-booting. Unless you are a
national class athlete, avoid the visually identical DRS WC models.
Although not women’s specific, the low cuff option in both the
90 and 80 flex are the perfect option to allow lighter weight skiers
(i.e. females) to enjoy the power transfer of the DRS.
Great for larger volume feet
Wider than average heel pocket so modifications are needed for narrower fits

December 2018 81

80_Boots_V2 yc.indd 81 29/11/2018 09:53

 INSIDEEDGE

FISCHER RC PRO HEAD RAPTOR/VECTOR RS

FLEX 110SV, 110HV, 130SV, PRO 130SV | PRICE £400, £400, £475, £535 FLEX 140, 120 | PRICE £460, £330
FLEX 110 VACUUM FF, 90 VACUUM FF, 90 PBV | PRICE £450, £420, £280 FLEX 110, 90 | PRICE £350, £310

Fischer’s RC Pro is a genuine grand tourer with a performance
feel. The sense of luxury comes in part from the unique vacuum fit
system: the heated shell is compressed around the foot, stretching
where needed, but also filling any gaps between foot and shell.
Overall the stance is neutral and the boot is at its best laying down
calm medium and long radius arcs, rather than short radius turns.
Fischer’s My RC Pro is ideal for women with wider feet and an
athletic calf shape. The boot comes in both vacuum and non-
vacuum versions: get the one that suits your needs best.
Though you can buy the Head Raptor in a 140 flex, most skiers
shouldn’t; instead try the more manageable 120 model, which has
enough performance for most skiers and can be softened a little
more by removing a bolt from the rear of the cuff. The snowfeel is
quick, stable and punchy, and the unusual spineflex buckle design
wraps the shell around the foot with very little distortion.
At 98mm this is a slightly more relaxed version of the Raptor.
It’s new for this year, and comes with the new Liquid Fit option
in the liner, which allows the ankle pocket to be tightened up.

Vacuum fit produces excellent results World Cup look and feel
Not for high energy, quick turners A lot of boot for skiers with less than sound technique

MEET THE JURY

CHRIS EX ALL
describes himself as being
40 years into an 80-year
apprenticeship in skiing.
He is a member of the
governing body of the
International Federation
of Ski Instructors and has
written widely on snowsports
TECNICA FIREBIRD/MACH 1 LV safety (skipress.co.uk).
FLEX 140, 110, 90, | PRICE £500, £335, £300
FLEX 115, 105 | PRICE £415, £ 335

This is low volume, but not crushingly so, and easy to modify ROSIE YOUNG
for a range of feet. The Firebird uses Tecnica’s trademark CAS shell. graduated from
There are lots of other standout details, such as a powerstrap that Loughborough University
doesn’t need re-threading through the clasp every time you use it with a degree in sport
and buckles that can be locked open. This is a go-anywhere boot biomechanics and, having
powering through mashed potato snow as flawlessly as groomed. spent a season working in
France, now works as a ski
This fits a low-volume rectangular shaped foot, working well
boot technician at specialist
for women wanting firmer heel hold and comfort. The Celiant
ski boot fitter Profeet (020
technology in the liner keeps your feet warm. The 105 flex skis
7736 0046; profeet.co.uk).
well and can be softened by taking the top bolt out of the back.

Versatile
Less full race than some others in this category

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 LANGE RS/RX
FLEX 130, 120, 110, 100 | PRICE £450, £410, £410, £385
FLEX 110, 90, 80 | PRICE £360, £325, £280
What is there left to say about Lange? The company invented the
plastic ski boot more than 50 years ago and they’ve been on race
podiums ever since. You’ll not be surprised to see a simple four-clip,
side-hinged design, though instead of a homogeneous plastic shell,
Lange uses a sandwich of two hardnesses for extra power and
support. It skis like a Lange, and the snowfeel is excellent.
A trusty favourite, the Lange RX comes in a medium-volume
(100mm) and low-volume (97mm) last. With its generous forefoot
width and great heel and ankle hold it has a lovely out-of-the-box feel.
A snug near raceroom fit
Even the softer flexing models can punish poor technique
ROSSIGNOL HERO/PURE PRO 100
FLEX 130, 110 | PRICE £460, £365
FLEX 100 | PRICE £360
When talking about the Rossi Hero it’s tempting to type ‘see Lange’
as both use essentially the same low-volume, dual-density plastic,
anatomical RS shell. However there are subtle differences in feel and
performance, in the main coming from the liner. The pre-shaped
liner means the out-of-the-box fit is excellent and stiffer versions use
a higher density foam padding for better power transmission. The
Hero skis close to the stated flex value, and rewards great skiing.
The Pure Pro 100 is a customisable boot for women looking
for great fit and performance. It’s a medium last (100mm) with
anatomical fit and a new merino wool liner for warmth and comfort.
As close to the race room as it gets without losing versatility
It’s still a racer at heart
80_Boots_V2 yc.indd 83
NORDICA PRO MACHINE
FLEX 130GW , 120GW, 120, 110 | PRICE £530, £470, £420, £360
FLEX 115 W GW, 105 W, 95 W | PRICE £450, £400, £340
This is one of the least race derived designs in this category,
so much so that it’s even offered with rubber soles designed by
Michelin. Fit is snug, and combining a heat mouldable shell with
Nordica’s trademark cork-filled liner means it improves with wear.
The fit is low volume, but the shell can easily be widened from 97mm
to around 102 before you need to use more specialist tools.
New, the Pro Machine is a low-volume option offering performance
and comfort. It comes with a lower, more fluted women’s specific
liner. A Gripwalk sole comes on the 115 and softer flexes.
Very versatile
Not a Dobermann
SALOMON S/MAX & X/MAX
FLEX 130 RACE, 130 CARBON, 130, 120, 110, 100 | PRICE £530, £530, £ 430, £380, £350 £340
FLEX 120, 110, 90, 80 | PRICE £390, £530, £330, £290
Lightweight and piste boot rarely appear in the same sentence,
but the S/Max 120 is a genuine high performer. The dramatic diet
comes from the use of a fibreglass coreframe inner skeleton. As the
boot is loaded up towards the end of each arc it sends more power
through to the ski. The 130 version is carbon reinforced and is even
stronger and lighter. Out of the box the boot is low volume and can
be a trial to get into until it has been custom fitted.
The women’s X/Max remains the same as last year. It’s best
suited for a lower instep and a forefoot that splays slightly, but a
narrow heel. The liner is sculpted to give a firm but nice feel.
Light and agile
Ultra low volume out of the box, so persevere!
December 2018 83
29/11/2018 09:57
 INSIDEEDGE
Easy
rider
Beginning your snowboarding
career? Get kitted up with one
of these starter snowboards
WORDS TRISTAN KENNEDY
A
ll-mountain, freestyle and
powder boards are becoming
more and more outrageous
in shape, profile and outline. But at the
starter end of the market – on the surface
at least – little seems to have changed.
At first glance, all the boards here
look conventional, with silhouettes that
are recognisable from the early 2000s.
Underneath those outlines however,
there have been significant changes.
Thanks to developments in profiles,
cores and sidecuts, beginner snowboards
in 2018-19 are lighter and easier to
ride than their predecessors. They’ve
got faster too, as extruded bases have
become better. And as technologies
trickle down from the upper end, these
piste snowboards, which might once
have been solely for beginners, are
actually great all-rounders, suiting a
whole range of riding styles and levels.
TRISTAN
KENNEDY
is former deputy
editor of Whitelines
snowboarding
magazine and now
edits Vice Media’s
adventure and travel website Amuse.
He reviews the season’s new snowboards
exclusively for Ski+board.
84 skiclub.co.uk
84-86 Snowboards_V2 yc.indd 84
MEN’S BOARDS
BURTON INSTIGATOR
£345
Lengths 140, 145, 150, 155, 160 – 150W,
155W, 160W, 165W Flex 3/10 Profile Rocker
Shape Directional Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
Introduced into the Burton line last
season, the Instigator, as the name
suggests, is all about getting things
going when you’re just starting
out. Burton have packed this full
of features aimed at novice riders.
There’s the tapered tail, and the
slightly setback stance, which makes
it easier to initiate turns. There’s the
rocker shape at the tip and tail of the
board, which makes it harder to catch
an edge, and there’s the ‘Squeezebox’
core, which is thinner in certain areas
to allow for an easier energy transfer
from the rider to the snow. It’s still
got an extruded base (rather than
the more high-tech sintered one) but
otherwise there’s a lot going on here.
Great for beginners
Too soft to handle really high speeds
ROME MECHANIC
£300
Lengths 147, 150, 153, 156, 159 – 154W,
157W, 161W Flex 3/10 Profile Rocker
Shape True Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
The Rome Mechanic is a classic
beginner-intermediate freestyle
board. The brand have combined a
forgiving rocker profile with a flat
section under the feet to make it feel
more predictable. The shape is a true
twin (ie identical nose and tail), so
you can start trying switch tricks, and
the materials it’s made from are fairly
no-nonsense. It’s got a full wood core,
bi-axial fibreglass around that, and
an extruded base. There’s nothing
particularly flash or flouncy about
this board, but it does the job. And
anyway, what did you expect from
a board called the Mechanic?
Solid all-round performer
Not as fast as some higher-spec boards
29/11/2018 10:03
 SALOMON PULSE
£250
Lengths 142, 145, 149, 152, 156, 160,
163 – 158W, 162W Flex 2/10 Profile Flat
Shape Directional Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
Long a staple of Salomon’s range, the
Pulse has helped many a novice rider
move to the next level. It has a soft,
forgiving flex, making it easy to
initiate turns and to correct errors of
weight distribution that might buck
you off a stiffer board. The directional
twin shape will help you float as you
make your first forays into powder,
and the flat profile offers a nice,
predictable feel underfoot on piste. If
you’re into carving at a million miles
an hour, or hucking massive jumps,
this isn’t stiff enough, but for
everything else it does a brilliant job.
A top starter choice, again
Not rigid enough for seasoned riders
84-86 Snowboards_V2 yc.indd 85
BATALEON CHASER
£330
Lengths 149, 152, 155, 157, 159 – 159W
Flex 3/10 Profile Camber
Shape True Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
A brand new board in the Bataleon
line, the Chaser takes the brand’s
patented Triple Base Technology
(TBT) and for the first time puts it
into a package aimed specifically at
beginner/intermediate riders. The
tech means that the edges of the
board’s base are lifted, making them
harder to catch on the snow. Novice
riders will appreciate the fact that it’s
much harder to perform the infamous
‘scorpion’ – where you catch your
front edge and fall over face first, with
the board coming up behind you to
sting you in the back of the head.
Intermediates will notice that TBT
makes sketchy landings easier.
Brings TBT to the masses
Still quite low spec
K2 STANDARD
£300
Lengths 147, 152, 155, 158
Flex 2/10 Profile Flat
Shape Directional
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
The name says it all when it comes
to the K2 Standard. This is a board
that sets a benchmark, and while
it’s not the most sophisticated in
terms of tech, it’s got everything that
beginner/intermediate riders could
ever need. If you’re at the stage where
you’re cruising the pistes, trying your
first few tricks and improving on
every run, this is a great option. The
directional shape perhaps makes it
marginally more powder orientated
than most of the boards on these
pages, but otherwise it’s what you’d
expect – forgiving flex, easy profile,
extruded base… standard.
No-frills, functional and easy to ride
Not so good in the park or pipe
December 2018 85
29/11/2018 10:03
 INSIDEEDGE
WOMEN’S BOARDS
BURTON HIDEAWAY
£345
Lengths 140, 144, 148, 152, 155
Flex 2/10 Profile Rocker
Shape True Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
The Burton Hideaway is like a
women’s equivalent of the Instigator
board (see page 84). Like that model
it boasts a rocker profile, which
makes it forgiving and easy to turn.
It also has a tapered tail (three to
six millimetres, depending on the
length) which makes turn initiation
easier, while the slightly wider nose
improves its ability to float in powder.
The core, construction and flex are
pretty similar to the Instigator too,
but of course this is all packaged
up in more female-friendly sizes.
If you’re a woman looking for a great
beginner/intermediate all-rounder,
you just found it.
Turns brilliantly
Not super-stable at high speed
86 skiclub.co.uk
84-86 Snowboards_V2 yc.indd 86
RIDE COMPACT
£330
Lengths 138, 142, 146, 150, 154
Flex 3/10 Profile Rocker
Shape Directional Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
This is Ride’s bestselling women’s board
every year, and with reason – it’s soft and
forgiving enough for beginners, but has
enough underneath the hood to keep
intermediate, and even advanced riders,
busy. The directional twin shape and the
gentle rocker profile (more pronounced
at the nose than the tail) helps it float
well in powder, and turn easily on piste.
If you want to try tricks, that profile will
also help, making it harder to catch an
edge when you don’t quite stick a landing
perfectly. Construction-wise it’s fairly
simple (as you’d expect at this price) but
it has Ride’s Slimewalls: impact-
absorbing urethane sidewalls which help
mitigate twitchiness at speed. All in all,
it’s a really versatile all-rounder.
Handles well on pretty much all terrain
At the pricier end of the starter market
SALOMON LOTUS
£250
Lengths 135, 138, 142, 146, 151, 155
Flex 2/10 Profile Flat
Shape Directional Twin
PERFORMANCE
Pistes 
Powder 
Jumps 
Rails 
The main thing that jumps out about
the Salomon Lotus is the price – £250
is a ludicrously small amount to pay
for a board from such a reputable
manufacturer. As with the similarly
priced Pulse, there are very few frills
here – it’s got a standard Aspen core,
wrapped in a bi-axial fibreglass weave
and finished off with an extruded base.
However, the shape of the board and
the profile are designed specifically
with novice female riders in mind,
and to be honest you don’t need an
all-singing, all-dancing board when
you’re just starting out.
A solid board at a brilliant price
No bells or whistles
29/11/2018 10:04
 for
SNOWSPORTS
LOVERS 15% OFF
for Ski Club Members

Photo: Ross Woodhall

Ski Club Travel Insurance is the specialist cover you

need, with policies designed by experts for skiers
and snowboarders. It’s the perfect accompaniment
to your travel adventures, on and off the snow.

Key Features
• Includes off piste skiing and snowboarding without a For a quote, visit
guide covered by all policies
• Single trip cover up to the age of 85 (75 for multi-trip) skiclubinsurance.co.uk
• Under 24s go FREE on Ski Club Platinum membership
and children up to the age of 18 on all other or call 0300 303 2610
family policies

Ski Club Insurance_Placeholder Adverts_A4.indd 3 29/11/2018 11:25

 OUT&ABOUT

Welcome to the
White Haus PHOTOGRAPHS TEKLA SZOCS

A
t last! A fantastic place to meet fellow skiers
and snowboarders in central London. The
White Haus, which opened last month at
17 Farringdon Street, was the venue for the after-party
to the AGM – effectively christening it the new official
social hub for the Ski Club.
Dozens of members – some London-based, some from out
of town – joined a sizeable contingent from Wimbledon HQ
and most of the Ski Club’s Council for a fun and friendly
gathering in the cellar bar. Decorating its walls is a
well-picked and nostalgia-filled selection of Ski Club
memorabilia, plucked from the archives when the Club
moved out of its own White House.
Photos, artworks, skis, winners’ plaques… the place is
alive with wintersports curios. Even the wallpaper has been
made from a vintage artwork. The team at HQ can’t wait to
arrange more member meet-ups there – and to go there
anyway to meet up with snow-mad friends.

 The gathering was held in the White Haus cellar bar, a cosy Alpine-esque space  Leaders Ed Killwick (in Alagna and La Grave his winter),
with bench-seats, wooden tables and walls decorated with ski art and photos Chris Evans (Zermatt) and Martin Jordan (Wengen)

88 skiclub.co.uk

88 PICS TO RELINK Out and about SB203 hm yc nl hm yc2.indd 88 29/11/2018 10:12

  Cleeves Palmer and Nigel Fawkes, with  Namrata Tidy, the Ski Club’s head of digital, Errol Walker, a  Nick Morgan and Yolanda Carslaw,
subtle inclusion of Cleeves’s new book Leader, and Guy Cobbold, the Ski Club’s membership manager former Leader and new co-editor of S+B

 Mike Griffiths, Sabine Lyon and Matt Tilling enjoy a beer

from reassuringly ski resort-esque glasses

 Jane Fawkes, Malcolm Bentley – chairman of the Ski Club Council – Marguerite Nice
and Mark Kempel, Club member and a regular in Les Arcs

 Is this you? S+B chatted to some of these nice members but

neglected to note all names. Please drop us a line!

 Ski Club CEO Darren Neylon and  Leader Martin Jordan and Ski Club
Michael Pettifer member Julie Lancaster

 Club member Ken MacAllister inspects  Council officer Bridget Cassey and  Malcolm Bentley, Sabine Lyon, Namrata Tidy and Bernice
a history-filled display in the White Haus Owen Barks Chapman, head of Leading Windley, the Ski Club’s head of sales and marketing

December 2018 89

88 PICS TO RELINK Out and about SB203 hm yc nl hm yc2.indd 89 29/11/2018 10:12

 OUT&ABOUT

 Malcolm Bentley with longstanding member and Verbier and  Peter Bergman, a regular in Val d’Isère (and to the Premier Party Freshtracks trip
Zermatt regular Fritz Janssen and Darren Neylon there), and Stephen Cockerell, who is planning a North American road trip this winter

 Club member Mark Krempel and a trio of seasoned Leaders – Martin Yates (who is  Phillip Rose with Leader Susan Leese, who has a busy winter
leading a Freshtracks trip to Klosters this winter), Ed Killwick and Ian Cottam of leading ahead of her. And a mystery friend: is this you?

 Katy Ellis, product, sales and operations manager at Club

HQ, and Leader Mike Chase

 Krystyna and David Baker – turn to page 18 to read about  Council member Kim Moss with Emma McQueen, senior product and sales
longtime Leader David’s top five runs of all time executive, and Emily Morgan, digital marketing executive for the club

90 skiclub.co.uk

88 PICS TO RELINK Out and about SB203 hm yc nl hm yc2.indd 90 29/11/2018 10:13

 Wherever Your Passions &
Dreams Take You...

 A Freshtracks regular – please identify yourself, sir! (snowmail@ski-

club.co.uk) – with Freshtracks and Mountain Tracks manager Katy Ellis

 Council officer Joanna Milner-Percy, Jane Fawkes, who edits the

Ladies’ Ski Club bulletin, and club member Fritz Janssen
We’ve Got The Equipment &
Expertise To Get You There!

Bringing you the UK’s largest range of specialist skis & boots
and advice and expertise since 1965.
We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct
equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you.

Custom Ski Boot Fitting Specialists

Ski Industries Of Great Britain Official Ski Testers
Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best Speciailst Retailer

FREERIDE | FREESTYLE
TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL

Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP

T: 020 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com
www.SkiBartlett.com

 Treasurer Ian Holt, who spoke at the AGM before the White
Haus gathering to talk through the Club accounts

88 PICS TO RELINK Out and about SB203 hm yc nl hm yc2.indd 91 29/11/2018 10:13

 OUT&ABOUT
And the winners are… PHOTOGRAPHS TEKLA SZOCS
D
rumroll please! We can officially reveal the
pictures from the infamous Ski Club Industry
Awards night 2018. Famed for bringing industry
insiders together the night before the Telegraph’s Ski and
Snowboard Show, this year proved no different. Attendees
dined on miniature burgers, soft-shell crab tacos and
mac-and-cheese balls, while drinks flowed freely
throughout the evening. The event, which has been hosted
at the Bluebird in Chelsea for the past two years, saw the
p The Ski Club’s Industry Awards were hosted for the second year at the
Bluebird in Chelsea in late October, just before the Ski Show
p Lockwoods picked up two awards – best equipment store and best UK
clothing store. Hayley Key collected the awards from Chemmy and Darren
92 skiclub.co.uk
92 Out and about SB203 yc.indd 92
winners presented with prestigious Ski Club Awards, as
voted for by the Ski Club’s Consumer Research. The
awards were given to the companies ranked highest in the
Ski Club’s annual consumer research survey, which was
completed by more than 23,000 snowsports enthusiasts
this year. The Ski Club’s honorary president, Chemmy
Alcott, congratulated the winners and hosted the
ceremony. For a complete rundown of the survey results,
see November’s issue of Ski+board.
p Lyn Naylor picks up the best resort award for Banff, with honorary
president Chemmy Alcott and chief executive Darren Neylon
p The 2018 Ski Club Industry Awards shortlist. Full results of the survey
of 23,000 people were published in Ski+board’s November issue
29/11/2018 10:19
 p Banff, Canada, was voted overall Best
Resort for the first time
p Ski Safari won big for the fifth year running, landing the Best Tour Operator award once again. From left:
Chemmy Alcott, Andy Knights, Claire Jones, Andy Hemingway and Ski Club CEO Darren Neylon

p Rufus Alcott, Darren Turner with

Snowcast presenter Kev Harris

p Harriet Johnston (centre), managing editor of Ski+board, talks shop – or is it skiing? – with colleagues

p The chief executive of France

Montagnes, Jean-Marc Silva
qp Joanna Yellowlees from Erna Low
picked up the Highly Commended award.
Below, with Jane Bolton

p Helen Read, from Ski Famille, picked up the Highly

Commended award for Best Tour Operator

p Kerri Van Loggerenberg and Marianne

Lannoy from Club Med

December 2018 93

92 Out and about SB203 yc.indd 93 29/11/2018 10:19

 MEMBERDISCOUNTS
SAVE CASH THIS SEASON
Keep that precious membership card handy – you can use it to save money both at home and in
the mountains. We’ve negotiated discounts with scores of partner organisations, from ski schools
and tour operators to restaurants and retailers – and we’ve listed every one of them here for you
ACCOMMODATION
FRANCE // ALPE D’HUEZ CHALETS // ALPE D’HUEZ // 5%
FRANCE // ALPS ACCOMMODATION // SAMOËNS AND
MORILLON // 5%
FRANCE // AUBERGE & CHALETS SUR LA MONTAGNE //
SAINTE FOY // 10%
FRANCE // CLARIAN CHALETS // PORTES DU SOLEIL // 10%
FRANCE // FRESH TRACKS OZ EN OISANS // OZ-EN-OISANS // 10%
FRANCE // HIDEOUT HOSTEL // MORZINE // 10%
FRANCE // HOLIDAY IN ALPS // SAINT GERVAIS // 10%
FRANCE // NOMADIC SKI HOLIDAYS // CHAMONIX // 5%
FRANCE // SKI CUISINE // MÉRIBEL // 5%
FRANCE // SKI FRANCE // 20%
FRANCE // SKI TALINI // ST MARTIN DE BELLEVILLE // 5%
FRANCE // SNOW RETREAT // LA TANIA // 5%
FRANCE // VALLOIRE RESERVATIONS // VALLOIRE // 12%
SWITZERLAND // CHALET APARTMENT RENTALS // VERBIER // 15%
SWITZERLAND // DESIGN HOTEL MATTERHORN FOCUS //
ZERMATT // 7%
SWITZERLAND // FERIENART RESORT & SPA // SAAS-FEE // 10%
SWITZERLAND // GUEST HOUSE DU GRAND PARADIS // 5%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL BEAU SITE // ADELBODEN // 10%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL BELVEDERE // WENGEN // 10%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL BRISTOL // SAAS-FEE // 5%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF // PONTRESINA // 12%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL SILBERHORN // WENGEN // 10%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL WENGEN HOF // WENGEN // 10%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL ALPENROYAL // ZERMATT // 10%
SWITZERLAND // SILVRETTA PARKHOTEL // KLOSTERS // 10%
SWITZERLAND // SUNSTAR HOTELS GROUP //
WENGEN // 10-15%
SWITZERLAND // SWISS QUALITY HOTELS // VARIOUS RESORTS IN
SWITZERLAND AND GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN IN GERMANY // 10%
SWITZERLAND // VERBIER RENTALS // VERBIER // 10%
SWITZERLAND // GRIWARENT // GRINDELWALD // 5%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL KREUZ AND POST //
GRINDELWALD // 20%
SWITZERLAND // HOTEL GLACIER // GRINDELWALD //
Various discounts
AUSTRIA // FUN & SPA HOTEL STRASS // MAYRHOFEN // 5%
ITALY // MAISON LA SAXE // COURMAYEUR // 10%
ITALY // HOTEL TRIOLET // COURMAYEUR // 10%
ITALY // MUU VILLAGE // FOLGARIA // 10-20%
ITALY // ALPEN HOTEL EGHEL FOLGARIA // FOLGARIA // 10%
ITALY // LIVIGNO SKI HOLIDAYS // LIVIGNO // 10%
NORTH AMERICA // HOLIDAY WHISTLER // WHISTLER // 10%
NORTH AMERICA // LEAVETOWN // ALBERTA, QUEBEC // 6%
NORTH AMERICA // SUMMIT VACATIONS // WHISTLER // 10%
UK AND IRELAND // BRITANNIA HOTELS // 10%
UK AND IRELAND // CALEDONIA HOUSE IRELAND // 10%
94 skiclub.co.uk
94-97 Member Discounts yc yc3.indd 94
OUT & ABOUT IN RESORTS
WORLDWIDE // SKADI APP // 20%
WORLDWIDE // SKISET // Up to 60%
WORLDWIDE // SNOWRENTAL // Up to 65%
ANDORRA // RESTAURANT PARADOR CANARO // SOLDEU // 10%
ANDORRA // HOTEL NORDIC // 10%
ANDORRA // CALDEA // 12%
AUSTRIA // HORNY B // ST ANTON // 10%
AUSTRIA // ALPINE ANGELS CHILDCARE // VARIOUS
LOCATIONS // 10%
FRANCE // ARC 1950 FREERIDE // Up to 55%
FRANCE // BANANAS RESTAURANT // VAL D’ISERE //
Various discounts
FRANCE // FARENHEIT SEVEN RESTAURANT //
COURCHEVEL AND VAL THORENS // 10%
FRANCE // HUSKI // VARIOUS LOCATIONS // 10%
FRANCE // LE VALLON BLANC // TIGNES // Up to 30%
FRANCE // TIGNES SPIRIT // TIGNES // Up to 40%
FRANCE // MASSAGE ME // VARIOUS LOCATIONS // 10%
FRANCE // POLAIRE STAR // BOURG ST MAURICE // Up to 25%
FRANCE // PRECISION SKI // Up to 55%
FRANCE // PROSNEIGE RENTAL // Various discounts
FRANCE // SKI CHICS // Free hydroflask
FRANCE // SKI REPUBLIC // Up to 55%
FRANCE // WHITE STORM // Up to 55%
FRANCE // BIGHORN BISTRO // CHAMONIX // Various discounts
FRANCE // LA MORAINE // CHAMONIX // Various discounts
FRANCE // RESTAURANT LE BASILIC // CHAMONIX // 10%
FRANCE // YOGAMALA // CHAMONIX // 10%
FRANCE // AQUAMOTION // COURCHEVEL // 10%
FRANCE // AMERICAN BAR // COURMAYEUR // 10%
ITALY // AREA MONT BLANC RENTAL // COURMAYEUR // Up to 15%
ITALY // LA BOITE PIZZERIA // 10%
ITALY // LE DAHU CAFÉ // 10%
ITALY // MAISON LA SAXE // 10%
ITALY // LE PRIVE COCKTAIL BAR // 10%
ITALY // RIFUGIO MAISON VIEILLE // 10%
ITALY // SHERPA3 // 10%
ITALY // SOFFIO D’O // 10%
ITALY // 4810 SPORT RENTAL SHOP // Various discounts
ITALY // AL SOLITO POSTO // CERVINIA // 10%
ITALY // CERVINIA 2001 // CERVINIA // 15%
ITALY // HELISKI CERVINIA // CERVINIA // Various discounts
ITALY // LINO’S BAR CERVINIA // CERVINIA //
Various discounts
ITALY // LES SKIEUR D’ANTAN // CERVINIA // 10%
ITALY // MAISON JEAN BICH DI PERS // 10%
ITALY // MORANGE SPORT // 15%
ITALY // YETI BAR // Happy hour all day
SWITZERLAND // ANDRIST SPORT // VARIOUS LOCATIONS // 15%
29/11/2018 10:30
 SWITZERLAND // IGLU-DORF // Various discounts SKI AMIS // 10%
SWITZERLAND // SNOWLINE SPORT SHOP // SKI INDEPENDENCE // 5%
PORTES DU SOLEIL // Up to 25% SKILINE // 5%
SWITZERLAND // CHALET ZUM STEG // MEIRINGEN // 10% SKI PEAK // 10%
SWITZERLAND // CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY // MÜRREN // SKI SOLUTIONS // 5%
Up to 20% SKI TOTAL // 5%
SWITZERLAND // STÄGER SPORT // MÜRREN // 15% SKI-VAL // 5%
SWITZERLAND // AZZURRA SPORT // ZERMATT // Up to 15% SKIICELAND // 5%
SWITZERLAND // BAYARD SPORT // ZERMATT // 10% SKI LAPLAND // 5%
SWITZERLAND // BAR Z’ALT HISCHI // ZERMATT // Up to 25% SKI NORWAY // 5%
SWITZERLAND // EDWARDS BAR // ZERMATT // 10% SKI SWEDEN // 5%
SWITZERLAND // GLACIER SPORT // ZERMATT // 15% SKIWORLD // 10%
SWITZERLAND // MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE // SNO SKI HOLIDAYS // 5%
ZERMATT // 20% SNOW-WISE // 10%
SWITZERLAND // MATTERHORN SPORT // ZERMATT // 10% SNOWCOACH // 10%
SWITZERLAND // SCHWEIZERHOF KAMIN BAR // SNOWSCAPE // 5%
ZERMATT // 10% SNOWTREX // Various discounts
SWITZERLAND // SILVANA MOUNTAIN SPA // ZERMATT // 10% SPACESHIP RENTALS // 12%
SWITZERLAND // WHYMPER STUBE // ZERMATT // STANFORD SKIING // 10%
Various discounts TAKE THE FAMILY // Up to £250
NORTH AMERICA // ALPENHOF LODGE & BISTRO // THE OXFORD SKI COMPANY // 5%
JACKSON HOLE // 20% YELLOWWOOD ADVENTURES // 10%
SOUTH AMERICA // POWDER SOUTH HELISKI // 10%
SKI SCHOOLS &
TOUR OPERATORS MOUNTAIN GUIDES
& TRAVEL AGENTS
UK // ABC TUTORING // 25%
SUNWEB HOLIDAYS // 5% EUROPE // ONGOSA // 5%
ABSOLUTELY SNOW // 15% EUROPE // SKIBRO // Up to £30 off
CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS // 5% EUROPE // FCHECKYETI // 10%
RYA // 5% EUROPE // FREEDOM SNOWSPORTS // 10%
ABSOLUTELY VILLAS // 15% AUSTRIA // A-Z SKI SCHULE // ARLBERG // 10%
ALPINE ACTION // 5% AUSTRIA // PISTE TO POWDER // ST ANTON // 5%
ALPINE ELEMENTS // 11% FRANCE // ALPINE LEARNING CURVES // MORZINE // 5%
BALKAN HOLIDAYS // 15% FRANCE // BRITISH ALPINE SKI SCHOOL //
CLUB MED // 10% LES DEUX ALPES // 10%
DIFFERENT SNOW // 5% FRANCE // BRITISH MASTERCLASS // ALPE D’HUEZ // 5%
PREMIERE VELO // 10% FRANCE // ESI FIRST TRACKS SKI COACHING // Up to 10%
ESPRIT SKI // 5% FRANCE // EVOLUTION 2 // 10%
ERNA LOW // 6% FRANCE // ISKI-VAL // VAL D’ISERE // 15%
FRONTIER SKI // 5% FRANCE // FUN & SPA HOTEL STRASS // MAYRHOFEN // 5%
HEADWATER // 5% FRANCE // MOMENTUM SNOWSPORTS // 10%
IGLU.COM // 5% FRANCE // OXYGENE SKI SCHOOL // Up to 10%
INGHAMS // 5% FRANCE // SKI PROGRESSION // Up to 15%
SUNSAIL // 7% FRANCE // SKIMCKAY.COM // VAL D’ISERE // Up to 20%
JASNA ADVENTURES // 10% FRANCE // SKISPEZIALI.COM // 10%
LAGRANGE HOLIDAYS // 5% FRANCE // SNOW D’LIGHT // 10%
MARK WARNER // 10% FRANCE // SUPREME SKI AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL // 10%
MOUNTAIN BEACH FITNESS RETREATS // 15% FRANCE // TDC // VAL D’ISERE // 10%
MOUNTAIN HEAVEN // 10% FRANCE // THE SNOW SCHOOL // 15%
MOUNTAIN PARADISE // 5% SCOTLAND // ROD FRAZER SKI INSTRUCTOR // 10%
NEILSON // UP TO 10% SWITZERLAND // ADRENALINE SKI AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL //
NONSTOP // 5% VERBIER // £10 discount
OCEAN ELEMENTS // 6% SWITZERLAND // ALPINEMOJO SKI SCHOOL // 10-20%
POWDERBEDS.COM // 5% SWITZERLAND // ELEMENT SKI SCHOOL // 10%
PREMIERE NEIGE// 10% SWITZERLAND // EUROPEAN SNOWSPORT // 10%
PREMIERE SUMMER // 10% SWITZERLAND // FREERIDE VERBIER // 5%
ROCKETSKI // 15% SWITZERLAND // SCHWEIZER SCHNEESPORTSCHULE // DAVOS // 10%
SB SKI // 5% SWITZERLAND // STOKED // ZERMATT // 10%

To claim your discount visit skiclub.co.uk/discounts

where you’ll also find terms and conditions
95

94-97 Member Discounts yc yc3.indd 95 29/11/2018 10:31

 MEMBERDISCOUNTS

SWITZERLAND // SUMMIT SKI & SNOWBOARD SCHOOL // 10% AIRPORT PARKING

SWITZERLAND // SWISS SKI AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL //
HOTELS & LOUNGES
VILLARS // 10%
SWITZERLAND // VIVID SNOWBOARDING // VERBIER // 10%
APH AIRPORT PARKING AND HOTELS // Up to 27%
ITALY // ECHO TRAVEL // 10%
COPHALL PARKING GATWICK // 26%
ITALY // SCUOLA SCI SAUZE // SPORTINIA // 10%
FHR AIRPORT PARKING AND HOTELS // Up to 25%
ITALY // SCUOLA DI SCI DEL CERVINO // Various discounts
HOLIDAY EXTRAS // Up to 15%
ITALY // SKI SCHOOL CRISTALLO-CORTINA // 10%
LOOKING4PARKING // Up to 20%
SKYPARKSECURE // Up to 16%
STRESS FREE PARKING // UP TO 22%
TRANSPORT
£
£

FINANCIAL
SWISS // £25
LUFTHANSA // £15
CAXTON FS // £10 balance on registration
SNOW EXPRESS // 10%
WESWAP // £10 free travel money
HOLIDAY EXTRAS // Up to 15%
LOOKING4PARKING // Up to 20%
MOTORING EUROCHANGE // Various discounts

VOLVO // Various discounts

L
LE VE LEV E L
O N E two TECHNIQUE COURSES
THE ROOF BOX COMPANY // 10% & CAMPS
POLAR SNOWCHAINS // 15%
EMOVIS-TAG // Free Registration ALTITUDE FUTURES // 5%
CORE SKI AND SNOWBOARD CAMPS // 10%
INSIDE OUT SKIING // £50 off
SKI LUGGAGE MARMALADE SKI SCHOOL // 10%
NONSTOP SKI AND SNOWBOARD SNOW CAMPS //
Various discounts
LOQSKI // 10% POWDER EXTREME // Various discounts
GENEVA SKI STORAGE // 12% PRO RIDE SNOWBOARD CAMPS // Various discounts

L
LE VE LEV E L
O N E two SNOWSPORTS
INSTRUCTOR COURSES
LIFT PASSES
ABC SAFETY TRAINING // 20%
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN // 10% ALLTRACKS ACADEMY // Various discounts
FOLGARIA // Up to 20% ALTITUDE FUTURES // Various discounts
GLENSHEE MOUNTAIN // Up to 20% BASECAMP // £250 OFF 11 WEEK COURSES BASI
LECHT // 10% EA SKI AND SNOWBOARD TRAINING // 25%
WE ARE SNO // £400 off

TRANSFERS
SHOPPING
LUGIT // 5%
ALPYBUS // 10% 2 THE ALPS // 15%
BEN’S BUS // 5% off Grenoble ABSOLUTE-SNOW.CO.UK // 15%
CHAM VAN // 10% AMAMAYA CLOTHING // 15%
HOLIDAY TAXI INNSBRUCK AIRPORT // 5% BANANA MOON CLOTHING // 10%
LE TAXI SAVOYARD // 10% BATTERSEA SKI SERVICING // 20%
LOOKING4TRANSFERS // Up to 15% BAWBAGS // 20%
MOUNTAIN RESCUES // 10% on Saturday BBCO HEADWEAR // 15%
POWDERCAB AIRPORT // 10% BLACKS // 20%
SEA-LIFTS // 10% BURNT CUSTARD // 20%
SKI-LIFTS // 10% CHELSTON DIRECT // 10%
WHITERIDES AIRPORT TRANSFERS // 10% CARV DIGITAL SKI COACH // Various discounts

To claim your discount visit skiclub.co.uk/discounts

where you’ll also find terms and conditions
96 skiclub.co.uk

94-97 Member Discounts yc yc3.indd 96 29/11/2018 10:31

 COTSWOLD OUTDOOR // 15% ARTIFICIAL SLOPES
CRAIGDON MOUNTAIN SPORTS // 15%
CYCLE SURGERY // Up to 15% ACKERS OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE // 10%
DRIFT INNOVATION ACTION CAMERAS // 20% ALPINE SNOWSPORTS ALDERSHOT // 10%
DINOSKI WEAR // 10% BEARSDEN SKI AND BOARD // 10%
ELLIOT BROWN WATCHES // 10% BOWLES SNOWSPORTS CENTRE // 10%
ELLIS BRIGHAM // 10% BRACKNELL SKI CENTRE // 20%
EMBER // 15% BRENTWOOD SKI AND SNOWBOARD CENTRE // Various discounts
FINCHES EMPORIUM // 10% CARLISLE SNOWSPORTS // 10%
FREETIME MOUNTAIN SPORTS // Various discounts CHEL-SKI // 20%
FREEZE PRO SHOP // 10% CHILL FACTORE // up to 20%
FRISKI WEAR // 15% DORSET SNOWSPORTS CENTRE // 50%
AQUAPAC INTERNATIONAL // 20% EXETER AND DISTRICT SKI CLUB // 20%
FUTUREPROOF LIFE // 15% FIRPARK SKI CENTRE // 20%
GLISSHOP // 10% OLSTOKE SKI CENTRE // 10%
GEARHOOKS // 30% GLASGOW SKI CENTRE // 10%
HARDNUTZ // 20% GOSLING SKI AND BOARD CENTRE // 10%
HOMINGPIN // 20% LLANDUDNO SKI AND SNOWBOARD CENTRE // 10%
HUSKIWEAR // 10% MENDIP SNOWSPORTS CENTRE // 10%
KORA // 10% NEWMILNS DRY SKI SLOPE // 10%
LIFESYSTEMS // 15% NORFOLK SNOWSPORTS CLUB // 25%
LITTLE SKIERS // Up to 15% PLYMOUTH SKI CENTRE // 10%
LOCKWOODS // Up to 25% RUNCORN SKI CENTRE // Junior rate for adults
GO OUTDOORS // An extra 10% SANDOWN SKI CENTRE // 10%
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE // 15% CARDIFF SKI AND SNOWBOARD CENTRE // 20%
NATURE SHOP // 5% SKI ROSSENDALE // 10%
NEVISPORT // 10% SKIEASY // 20%
IEXTREME // 20% SNOWTRAX-OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE // 10%
OFF COURSES.NET // 10% SNOZONE CASTLEFORD AND MILTON KEYNES // 10%
PANDA OPTICS // 15% SOUTHAMPTON ALPINE CENTRE // 10%
PAUL JAMES KNITWEAR // 15% SUFFOLK SKI CENTRE // 15%
PIQ // 20% SUNDERLAND SNOWSPOERTS CENTRE // Up to 30%
PLANKS // 15% SWALINCOTE SKI AND SNOWBOARD CENTRE // 10%
PLAYBRAVE SPORTS APPARAL // 20% TAMWORTH SNOWDOME // £15 discount
RUNNERS NEED // 15% THE SNOW CENTRE HEMEL HEMPSTED // 10%
RYFT GOGGLES // 15% TORQUAY ALPINE SKI CLUB // 10%
RXSPORT // 10%
SAIL AND SKI // 10% GYM, FITNESS & LEISURE
SKI BARTLETT // 10%
SLOPE ANGEL // 21% ARTHUR BEALE: LONDON’S YACHT CHANDLER // 10%
SKI-CHIC // Free hydroflask ALPINE FRENCH SCHOOL // £25 off
SKI-MOJO // 10% DIGME FITNESS // 15%
SNOWFIT // 10% FOCUS STUDY TOURS // £100 off
SNOW+ROCK // 15% H2FITNESS // 15% discount and no joining fee
SNOWSAFE.COM // 15% JK PHYSIOTHERAPY // 15%
SUREFOOT // 10% JO POLLARD PHYSIO // up to 15%
SURFDOME // 10% MD PHYSIO // 15%
SUNGLASSES SHOP // 20% ONEBODY CLINIC // 15%
TECHNIBLOCK SUNSCREEN // 10% PEAK CONDITION // 10%
TENSON // 15% RYA // 50%
THIRSTY // Various discounts SERENA STUBBS ORTHOTIST // 10%
TOYSHADES // 20% SKIA SKI TRAINE // 15%
TRIXSKI // 20% SKIFITNESS // 20%
ULTIMATE OUTDOORS // 20% SKI-MOJO // 10%
WOLFFEPACK // 20% STEP INSIDE YOGA FOR SKIERS // 15%
YOODO MOVIE MAKER // 20% TRAIN 2 SKI // 50%
CAMBRIDGE NEUTRACEUTICALS // 15%

For links through to each company listed here, and more

details, go to skiclub.co.uk/discounts
97

94-97 Member Discounts yc yc3.indd 97 29/11/2018 10:31

 FROMTHEARCHIVE

Way back when

Delving into the Ski Club archives for a glimpse of ski times gone by

F
or modern day skiers and snowboarders, taking
the train to the Alps is one of the fastest and
most stress-free ways to travel. Keen to visit Les
Arcs? Simply hop on the Eurostar from Kings Cross and
nine hours later you roll into Bourg St Maurice, just a ski
pole’s lob from the resort. Even if you’re keen to access
resorts that are not on the ski-train route it can be fast and
easy by using a combination of Eurostar to Paris and TGV
from Paris to the Alps.
It’s no surprise that train travel to the mountains was
somewhat more of an arduous affair 100 years ago. On
20 December 1911, holidaymaker James Fraser found
himself on the train service to Troistorrents, Switzerland.
Departing from London Victoria at 11am, he travelled for
over 24 hours, with stops in Paris, Lausanne, Aigle and
Monthey, until finally, at 11.16am the next morning, he
arrived in Troistorrents. But his journey was far from over. p One of James Fraser’s travel receipts, for the sum of five shillings
He and his fellow snow-hungry passengers then had to
embark on a two-hour sleigh journey, which transported
skiers from Troistorrents to their final destination: the
Swiss resort of Morgins, in the Portes du Soleil.
A two-hour sleigh journey in who-knows-what weather
– it’s no wonder Fraser was advised to wear a ‘proper

He embarked on a two-
hour sleigh journey...
winter outfit’ and ensure he packed ‘a morning suit, dress
suit, tweed shooting suit, socks, thick woollen stockings,
Jaeger winter cap, Jaeger puttees (a cloth band that was
wound round a soldier’s leg from their ankle to their knee),
Jaeger winter underclothing, sweater for skiing, several
pairs of boots and a thick sleeping suit.’ As for the ladies,
when tobogganing they were encouraged to wear ‘blue
serge knickerbockers’.
These fascinating insights into ski holidays in the
early 20th century come from the Ski Club Archive at
De Montfort University. The Leicester university houses
the Club’s full Archive collection, from which they’ve
been able to uncover a variety of artefacts from James
Fraser’s holiday. While it’s unclear if he was a member
of the Ski Club or not, it’s likely he or his descendants
contributed these travel receipts and hotel bills to the
archive, understanding that they would one day be an
interesting insight into life in the mountains in the early
skiing days.
While it’s not unusual to pay a four-figure sum for a
week-long ski holiday abroad nowadays, Mr Fraser, who
travelled with Alpine Sports Limited, paid £32, which
included his tickets for the journey and a room at the
Grand Hotel Victoria for a week. His hotel food and drinks
bill was somewhat less modest, reaching CHF215 upon
check-out. But we all know how important it is to re-fuel
after a hard day’s skiing...

You can read Ski+board’s archive online at

skiclub.co.uk/skiandboard p That not-so-modest hotel bill...

98 skiclub.co.uk

94_From the archive SB203_V2 ni2.indd 98 29/11/2018 07:29

94_From the archive SB203_V2 ni2.indd 99 29/11/2018 07:29
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