September’s Skiing Snippets
1st September 2022
Last modified on September 28th, 2022
– Canada to Remove Covid-19 Border Restrictions
– IOC Has Faith in 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
– German Glacier Disappears Leaving Four Left
– British Man Dies in Paragliding Accident in Pyrenees
– Serac Collapse on Mt Everest Caught on Camera… LIVE
Here we cover anything that takes our fancy.
Short news stories, eye catching videos, amusing cartoons, things that make us smile/things that make us shout at the screen… in fact anything that catches our eye in the world of snowsports.
Check out all the ‘snippets’ from the past few months:
We’re mixing it up:
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Canada to Remove Covid-19 Border Restrictions
It is welcome news for all skiers and snowboarders planning a trip this coming season.
From October 1st Canada is scrapping all testing and quarantine.
Mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app will no longer be necessary, said the government.
Masks on planes and trains will not be mandatory.
Airlines will no longer need to review the vaccination status of foreign nationals.
Canada. Image © PlanetSKI.
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IOC Has Faith in 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, has admitted that there are multiple ‘challenges’ facing the organisers of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“There are challenges to face: from sustainability to the economic crisis, but we don’t have to worry because we are counting on the efficiency and skills of our Italian friends,” Bach said.
He made his remarks in Italy as he received receive the Golden Collar award – the highest award of the Italian National Olympic Committee, CONI.
IOC President Thomas Bach has received the Collare d’Oro – the highest award of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) – from CONI President, Giovanni Malago. pic.twitter.com/9mix2xw1YV
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) September 16, 2022
“We are very confident that we will celebrate excellent Games,” said Bach.
There remain issues to be addressed:
- Delays in construction of venues due to the costs.
- A leadership vacancy following the expected departure of chief executive Vincenzo Novari.
- A lack of sponsors amid the financial crisis are some of the concerns that need to be addressed.
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from February 6th to 22nd 2026.
Milan-Cortina 2026
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German Glacier Disappears Leaving Four Left in the Country
In Germany the Southern Schneeferner glacier in the Alps has been stripped of its status as glacier.
It used to be situated by Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitz.
It is now a couple of metres thick in many places and so won’t slide down the hill, and has been re-classified simply as ice.
The decision was made by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences.
“The remaining ice will melt away completely in the coming one to two years,” said the academy.
There are four glaciers left in Germany:
- Northern Schneeferner and Hoellentalferner on its highest mountain, the Zugspitze.
- Blaueis and Watzmann in the Berchtesgaden Alps.
Zugspitze mountain. Image © PlanetSKI
Related Articles:
- Switzerland launches plan to try to save its glaciers
- Alpine glaciers set for highest ice loss in 60 years
- Austrian glaciers likely to melt by end of the century
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British Man Dies in Paragliding Accident in Pyrenees
The 50-year old man died on the south side of the Pico Gallinero mountain (8,572ft) in Aragon in the Spanish Pyrenees.
The area is well-known spot for paragliders with views of Spain’s third-highest mountain, Aneto.
Emergency services arrived but were unable to save him.
The dead man’s body is now at Huesca’s Provincial Hospital
A post-mortem examination has been carried out.
The cause of the accident is now under investigation.
Image c/o PlanetSKI
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Serac Collapse on Mt Everest Caught on Camera
The downfall of a serac, just above Manaslu Base Camp. Captured by Tendi Sherpa. pic.twitter.com/ajBi5amx9c
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) September 24, 2022
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SIGB Ski Test is Back
The SIGB Snow Test is back for 2023! Get it in your winter diary: 23-27 January – it’s a unique opportunity for UK retailers and media to get on snow with next season’s ski and snowboard gear. Stay tuned for updates! pic.twitter.com/P2lCfnifb7
— SIGB (@SnowIndGB) September 23, 2022
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The Swiss Resort of Laax Freezes Lift Pass Prices
It says that “it does not plan on increasing the price of lift passes this season,” in a statement.
It says passes will remain the same price as the 2021-22 ski season, with day passes starting at 55 CHF.
It goes on to say that this “unlike many other Swiss and Austrian ski resorts which will be forced to drastically increase prices due to the cost of purchasing energy.”
There is no evidence so far of drastic price rises in other resorts for next winter.
Laax says it is able to freeze prices as it has already purchased its energy for the next two years until 2024.
All Laax’s lifts run-on CO2 neutral hydro and solar power sourced from throughout Switzerland.
The waste heat from the lifts is also used to heat local restaurants.
See this related PlanetSKI story on the possible impact of rising energy prices on ski resorts next season:
Laax, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
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Thinking of Skiing in Norway Next Winter?
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Spain Relaxes Border Rules
It will impact those heading to the Spanish Pyrenees for skiing this winter if the situation remains the same.
There is also skiing at Sierra Nevada.
The Spanish government says it will no longer be necessary to fill in the health control form to travel to Spain for all third-country nationals.
The UK is defined as a third country after leaving the EU.
The government says it wants to “favour the normalisation of international mobility.”
The government recently extended until mid-November the need for a Covid-19 vaccination, test or recovery certificate to enter Spain for travellers from non-EU countries
Children under 12 years are exempt.
PlanetSKI was making a few turns in Sierra Nevada a few years back:
Sierra Nevada, Spain. Image © PlanetSKI
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France Saw High Summer Temperatures
This summer was France’s second-hottest on record with temperatures 2.3 degrees above the average.
This has hit the glaciers hard with the summer melt continuing.
All the summer skiing areas in France are closed due to the deteriorating conditions.
France saw three separate heatwaves in July and August.
Tignes, France. Image © David Morgan
Tignes, France. Image © David Morgan
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Record breaking Winter for US Ski State of Idaho
According to RRC Associates, 2.15 million skiers and snowboarders visited Idaho ski areas in the winter of 2020-2021, breaking the previous record of 1.88 million.
PlanetSKI visited a few of the lesser known resorts of Idaho a few years back on one of our legendary ski road trips:
Idaho ski road trip. Image c/o PlanetSKI
Idaho ski road trip. Image c/o PlanetSKI
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We’re Thinking of Winter…
Fresh snowfall reported (and pictured/filmed/posted…) on higher peaks and slopes at ski areas across the Alps and Pyrenees this morning. @Hintertux pictured. pic.twitter.com/DK9FfnkVSK
— Snow Forecast.com (@SnowForecast) September 17, 2022
First snow has fallen in @SkiBig3 @SunshineVillage Let the countdown to the winter stoke begin 👊⏰ pic.twitter.com/VvVFcmIwb0
— Ikon Pass (@IkonPass) September 15, 2022
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New Zealand Lifts Covid Restrictions
The government has ended vaccine requirements, as well as the need to self-test after arrival.
People arriving or taking internal flights will not need to wear masks.
“Masks have played an important part in keeping customers, crew and communities safe during the Covid pandemic, but it’s time to say farewell,” said Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales, Leanne Geraghty.
South Island, New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI
New Zealand has dropped all mask-wearing rules although individual facilities, including ski resorts, can still make them compulsory.
“It’s time to safely turn the page on our Covid-19 management and live without the extraordinary measures we have previously used,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“It marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control,” she added
Mt Hutt, New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI
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Founder of Patagonia Gives Company Away to Charitable Trust
The billionaire, Yvon Chouinard, said any profit not reinvested in running the business would go to fighting climate change.
The brand specialises in outdoor clothing including ski wear and clothing for the mountains.
A rock climbing fanatic, he started out making metal climbing spikes for himself and his friends to wedge into rocks.
He then moved into clothing and eventually created a hugely successful sportswear brand with a cult following.
Founded in 1973, Patagonia’s sales were worth around $1.5bn this year, while Mr Chouinard’s net worth is thought to be $1.2bn.
It is famous for an advert titled “Don’t buy this jacket” asking shoppers to consider costs to the environment.
See more on the BBC.
Image c/o PlanetSKI
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Film Made of Avalanche at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
In 1982 a massive avalanche descended on Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California.
It triggered a desperate five day search for eight missing people.
A film has been made of the incident and it is set to be released in North America and then shown on Amazon and Apple TV.
‘BURIED’ chronicles the third deadliest avalanche in US history, the miraculous rescue efforts and the traumas that still haunt the survivors today.
In cinemas in the USA and Canada on 23rd September, and then on Amazon and Apple TV on November 8th.
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Glacier Collapse in the Andes
Higher temperatures and rainfall that weakened ice walls caused part of a hanging glacier to break off at a national park in Chile’s Patagonia region.
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Fancy a Job with GB Snowsport?
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Sapporo Mayor Cancels Visit to IOC to Discuss Winter Olympic Bid
Katsuhiro Akimoto has called off his visit to Switzerland later this month where he was due to discuss the city’s bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics with the IOC President, Thomas Bach.
The cancellation of Akimoto’s visit comes against the backdrop of the unfolding Tokyo 2020 bribery scandal.
Haruyuki Takahashi, a prominent member of the Tokyo 2020 Executive Board, has been arrested on suspicion of receiving bribes.
Read more about the details on Inside the Games.
Sapporo City has rejected a proposal to hold a referendum on the potential bid to gauge the level of support from residents.
A bid by Vancouver in Canada has been given City Council backing.
Catalonia in Spain and Salt Lake City in the USA have both expressed an interest in bidding for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
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Zermatt Pays Tribute to The Queen
Read our full story on reaction from the snowsports world on the death of the Queen:
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US Resort Tries to Save Endangered Trees
Brundage Mountain Resort in Idaho is trying to save the Whitebark Pine that could become an endangered species.
Whitebark Pine, Pinus Albicaulis, is a slow-growing tree that can live for more than 1,000 years.
The species occurs in harsh and exposed sites at high elevations.
The trees help stabilise soil, regulate runoff, and provide valuable nutrition to numerous wildlife species through its seeds.
Brundage Mountain Resort. Image © PlanetSKI
This summer teams from Brundage Mountain Resort and the McCall & Council Youth Conservation Corps worked alongside engine crews with botany and silviculture experts from the Payette National Forest.
They worked on identifying existing stands, remove competing species and reducing fire hazards.
Brundage Mountain Resort. Image © PlanetSKI
“The whitebark pine trees on the top of Brundage Mountain are one of the most recognisable features of the summit ecosystem,” said the Brundage Mountain General Manager, Ken Rider.
“While the delicate silver-grey branches of the dead trees can be beautiful in a snow-covered environment, we want to ensure that the healthy, living trees can thrive in the future.
“We’re excited to partner with the Forest Service and Youth Conservation Corps to step up these conservation efforts.”
“It’s important to us to be good stewards of the land on which we operate.”
Brundage Mountain Resort. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI passed through Brundage Mountain Resort a few years back on a road trip round some of the little-known resorts in Idaho.
Brundage Mountain Resort. Image © PlanetSKI
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Well, Could You?
An ex-Royal Marine, 31-year-old Tim Howell, had recently completed a climb of the north face of the Grandes Jorasses in the Mont Blanc Massif in the French Alps.
Many of the routes in the Alps are closed due to the summer heatwaves so Tim had to negotiate this narrow snow bridge.
“We were so tired. We had completed a climb of the Grandes Jorasses so we just wanted to get back down off the mountain,” he said.
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Mountain Refuge on Mont Blanc Collapses
The Bivouac de la Fourche was a tiny mountain refuge near the Brenva glacier.
A climber, Vivian Bruchez, has posted of its fate on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
The area has been hit hard by high summer temperatures which has caused rockfalls.
Some popular hiking and climbing routes in the Mont Blanc Massif have been closed by the authorities.
The high temperatures melt the permafrost causing the rocks to become unstable.
Related Articles:
- Final death toll in Italian glacier collapse reaches 11
- Warnings of further glacier collapses as climate change makes mountains unstable
Mont Blanc, France. Image © PlanetSKI
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Japan Confirms Covid-19 Border Changes
It will increase entry numbers from 20,000 to 50,000 a day and allow travel without the requirement of a guide.
We reported on the prospects of the move earlier on PlanetSKI:
- Will Japan’s border re-open for the 2022/23 ski season?
- Japan ski season set to go ahead as Covid-19 rules eased
Since June 10th travellers have only been allowed to travel Japan accompanied by tour leaders and guides. Flights needed to be included in the package.
People will still need to follow Covid-19 rules and regulations but the approaching ski season now looks like it will bear some resemblance to normality.
Skiing in Japan. Image c/o Mabey Ski
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New Lift for Hafjell Ski Resort in Norway
The new 6-seater express lift will be installed in Hafjell South and replaces two of the older lifts – Kringelåsheisen & Hafjellheis 3.
See here for more about Hafjell.
- Accessible ski destination, just 15 minutes north of Lillehammer.
- 3,474 feet elevation with stunning views and great slopes.
- Winter Olympic Host: At the 1994 Winter Olympics Hafjell hosted the slalom and giant slalom events.
- Terrain parks for everyone with a Frontyard and a Backyard, in addition to the main park.
- Wide-open runs and technical challenges for experienced skiers on the Olympic runs.
Hafjell is one of our favourite smaller resorts in Norway.
PlanetSKI last visited a few years back.
Our chief reporter, Jane Peel, was last there in 2019 when she also visited Kvitfjell:
While our editor, James Cove, last passed through on one of his legendary road trips way back in 2014:
Hafjell
PlanetSKI in Hafjell. Image © PlanetSKI
And staying with news about ski lifts…
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Further Details of New Gondola in Palisades Tahoe Revealed
The Base to Base Gondola in the Californian resort is set to open for the 2022-2023 season and will connect the two valleys of the US resort.
It makes Palisades Tahoe one of the largest ski resorts in North America.
“A realization of the founders’ original vision, the Base to Base Gondola offers newfound convenience and accessibility to the resort’s 6,000 acres and full spectrum of lifts, terrain, dining venues and more,” said the resort in a statement.
It is one of the North American resorts on the Ikon Pass.
The Base to Base ride will offer scenic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, easy transit between the resort’s two base areas, and lift access for expert skiers & snowboards to the top of KT-22.
The Palisades Tahoe team has launched a website to share more about the Base to Base Gondola experience, which includes a video, map, statistics, and frequently asked questions: https://gondola.palisadestahoe.com/experience.
Image c/o Palisades Tahoe
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Sit Back & Enjoy
Skiing the mini-spines in Bariloche, Argentina on 25th August 2022 – Miles Clark.
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Freeskiers Ride New Zealand’s Highest Mountain, Mount Cook
The Sky Piercer – Sam Smoothy, Xavier De Le Rue, Nadine Wallner and Fraser McDougall take on the challenge of skiing down New Zealand’s highest mountain, the notorious Mount Cook (Aoraki).
Aoraki differs from bigger mountains in the Himalayas or the Alps as it’s exposed to whatever westerly weather systems the Tasman Sea throws at it.
That means strong winds, heavy snow, and thick cloud that can make visibility a serious problem.
This goes for the eastern side too if the wind changes.
The Sky Piercer director, Jase Hancox, says there has to be an understanding between the protagonists and the crew that cuts both ways.
“The film-maker needs to understand that the athlete isn’t an actor,” said Hancox.
“The athlete also needs to understand that it takes more than just skiing or action to create an engaging film.”
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Image c/o PlanetSKI
