April’s Ski News in Brief
1st April 2024
Last modified on April 29th, 2024
– Electric Snowcat on Trial in Arapahoe Basin
– Swiss Ski Resorts Claim Success
– Alterra Buys Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
– Good April Snowfalls in the USA
– Bear Cubs Filmed Climbing Steamboat Gondola Pylon… UPDATED
Here we cover anything that takes our fancy.
Short news stories, stunning videos, amusing cartoons, things that make us smile/things that make us shout at the screen.
Mainly it is just plain news stories to keep you updated.
It is also anything that catches our eye in the world of skiing and snowsports.
Monday 29th April
Electric Snowcat on Trial in Arapahoe Basin
Sunday 28th April
Swiss Ski Resorts Claim Success
Visitor figures are out for March 2024 and they show a 5% increase in visits compared to the same period last year.
It was helped by the fact that Easter was on March 31st this year.
Figures in March are comparable to those from February.
Compared to the 5-year seasonal average there were 4% more visitors in the ski areas across Switzerland this season.
Valais, Graubünden and eastern & central Switzerland saw an increase.
The Bernese Oberland, the Vaud Alps and the Jura saw a decrease.
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI.
Friday 26th April
Alterra Buys Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
The US company already owns CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures.
“With the acquisition of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, we are excited to add another premier heli-skiing operation to the Alterra family,” said Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company.
“We intend to continue the legacy that Mike Wiegele and his family built that helped set the standard for the extraordinary guest and employee experiences, which directly aligns with our values at Alterra.”
MWHS was established in 1970 and is located in Cariboo, Monashee, and Rocky Mountains ranges in British Columbia, Canada.
The areas have 1.5-million-acres of ski terrain with 1,000 peaks.
Heliskiing in British Columbia, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Thursday 25th
Snow Camp Raises £250,000 at AJ Bell 3-Valley Rally
See here for what the event is all about:
PlanetSKI was at the inaugural event in Val Thorens in Les3Vallees in April 2023:
Monday 22nd April
Good April Snowfalls in the USA
After a generally poor start to winter in the USA it has been a good ending, with snow still falling:
See here for an earlier PlanetSKI report:
Spring skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI
Spring skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI
Sunday 21st April
Bear Cubs Filmed Climbing Steamboat Gondola Tower
The incident was filmed in the ski resort in Colorado by Sharon Spiegel.
Saturday 20th April
Legendary Moments at Jackson Hole
The iconic US resort in Wyoming has just posted an inspiring video.
What do you think?
Friday 19th April
Tignes Bids for 2027 Para Alpine World Champs
The French resort has announced its interest to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS.
For more than 30 years, the resort’s stakeholders have worked in partnership with the French Handisport Federation to offer optimal training conditions to disabled athletes, particularly in alpine, Nordic skiing and snowboarding.
Through its application Tignes says it reaffirms its desire to become a place conducive to the practice of alpine para skiing in the mountains.
“The candidacy of the Tignes resort to organize these FIS Alpine Para-ski Worlds will be an important event for two major reasons,” said the Director of Winter Sports – Fédération Française Handisport, Christian Fémy.
“On the one hand, by demonstrating that the practice of winter sports for people with disabilities is a reality with the commitment of ski resorts to welcoming all audiences and the promotion of our French disabled alpine ski team, one of the most successful in the world.
“Which will thus have the opportunity to show his talents on the slopes of Tignes, site and organization perfectly meeting the requirements and expectations of the French Handisport Federation and the International Ski Federation.”
Tignes, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Thursday 18th April
Skier Numbers Drop Slightly in Andorra
There was a fall of 5.5% with 2,230,604 ski days sold last winter.
In 2022-23 the corresponding figure was 2,364,359.
Monday 12th February was the busiest day of the season with 32,526 skiers in the Grandvalira resorts.
The winter snowfall was slightly higher than last winter, although most of it came late in the season.
The late arrival of the snow is seen as the main reason for the drop, and the resorts are said to be happy with the overall performance.
“The investments we have made in recent years to improve our artificial snow network have been decisive,” said the General Manager of Grandvalira Resorts, Juan Ramón Moreno.
“Combined with the excellent work of our teams on the ground, who have proved once again that they are the best specialists in the treatment of slopes, especially in difficult conditions, we have managed to compensate for the late arrival of the snowfalls.”
PlanetSKI visited Andorra in January:
Grandvalira, Andorra. Image c/o PlanetSKI
For a recent report on the state of the market worldwide see here:
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Wednesday 17th April
First Races of Patrouille des Glaciers Cancelled
The Z1 and A1 races were planned for Tuesday and Wednesday from Zermatt and Arolla to Verbier, but bad weather led to their cancellation.
The races planned for Friday and Saturday (Z2 and A2) are still set to go ahead.
Those whose races have been cancelled will not be able to take part in the races this weekend instead as the races are full.
In total 4,900 people had registered with 1,600 soldiers running the events.
The Swiss army oversees the organisation of the race.
🚩Important🚩
Les courses Z1 et A1 de la Patrouille des Glaciers au départ de Zermatt et d’Arolla prévues mardi et mercredi sont annulées à cause des conditions météo défavorables. #PatrouilleDesGlaciers pic.twitter.com/DVu70s4n94— Verbier (@VerbierResorts) April 16, 2024
Two Climbers Rescued by Helicopter
Two mountain climbers found themselves stranded more than 12,000 feet at Italy’s Cottian Alps on April 13th 2024.
A helicopter rescue crew came to their aid and both were taken off the mountain safely.
Ski Resorts Saving Snow over Summer
Some have been doing it for many years including Ruka in Finland.
Winter snow is piled up and covered, then used as the season starts in the autumn.
Around 15% melts but the rest is usable.
Is it the shape of things to come?
See here for a full report on the BBC.
Tuesday 16th April
Investor Interest in High Altitude Ski Resorts Increases
The Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions have seen hotel transaction volumes double over the past two years according to a repory from the company JLL that specialises in alpine property.
More than €800 million of hotel deals have been completed.
“Due to the warming climate, and limited new supply of ski resorts, more snow-sure locations at higher altitudes are commanding premium values,” says Matthieu Subit, JLL’s Vice President of Hotels and Hospitality for EMEA Capital Markets.
80% of 2023 transactions in the Alps were located at, or above, 1800m.
Courchevel 1850. Image © PlanetSKI
Monday 15th April
Top Ten Crashes from the FWT
The Freeride World Tour has compiled a video of some of the spectacular accidents as the riders push the boundaries.
No-one was seriously injured.
“To win they have to put it all on the line in a high risk-run with little or no room for error,” said the FWT.
“However, mistakes are made, and things can and do go wrong and as this video shows the results can be frightening.”
Saturday 13th April
Skier Who Died Trying to Jump Colorado Highway Identified
A Colorado skier identified as Dallas Lebeau, 21, tried to jump 40 feet over U.S.
40 but did not reach the other side.
FOX31’s Greg Nieto visits the site and hears from locals who knew him.
Friday 12th April
Poor Winter Overall for Skiing in Scotland
The Lecht has had its worst winter in the last 50 years according to an article in the Scotsman newspaper.
“It really has been a shocker of a year,” said the resort’s managing director, Iain Du Pon.
“Since we started in 1977, it’s been our second worst season ever.”
“What we need to do now is focus on surviving the summer, with such a low turnover from this season, with an eye on developing further to afford us better resilience, in poor seasons, and ensure that we are still here for the future and provide the fantastic facilities that the Lecht has become well renowned for.”
PlanetSKI was in the Lecht earlier this year:
The Lecht, Scotland. Image c/o Simon Wilson.
The resort of Glenshee said that this year has been better than last winter , but the resort had to rely heavily on man-made snow.
PlanetSKI has reported on the skiing in Scotland this winter:
Scotland ski conditions. Image c/o Dianne Frazer
Thursday 11th April
21-Year-Old Skier Dies Trying to Jump Over Highway
He was trying to jump over Highway 40 in Colorado but fell short.
According to the police the preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was attempting to perform a high-risk skiing stunt by trying to clear the width of Highway 40.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said that he “unfortunately lacked the necessary speed and distance and subsequently landed on the highway pavement. “
The victim was wearing a helmet and other protective gear.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His identity has not been released.
Tuesday 9th April
Canadian Soldier Presumed Dead in Zermatt Avalanche
Captain Sean Thomas went missing in the slide on April 1st.
Three people were killed and the body of a fourth person has not been found.
It is presumed to be that of Capt Thomas who was on leave at the time.
“We join all Canadians to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Capt. Sean Thomas,” National Defence Minister Bill Blair said in a statement.
“Canadians will remember the dedication and sacrifices made by him and his family, as he proudly served our country.”
Capt Sean Thomas is missing and presumed dead after being caught in an avalanche in Switzerland while on leave from #OpIMPACT. https://t.co/8QR7j3hkFF pic.twitter.com/Lb7XoOaZQR
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) April 7, 2024
Monday 8th April
Endangered Brown Bears Thrive in Pyrenees
There are now 83 bear and 16 cubs and their numbers are now at where they were 30 years ago.
The numbers are up from 76 bears counted in 2022 and 70 in 2021.
More than 85% of brown bears born in the mountain range since 1996 are the offspring of a single male, Pyros.
The population of brown bears s subject to annual cross-border monitoring involving the Andorran, French and Spanish authorities.
Wolf Kills Three Alpacas in Switzerland
The canton of Thurgau in the north-east of the country is now considering issuing a license to shoot the wolf.
The alpacas had been in a pasture fenced off with wires.
Three different wolves have been detected in canton Thurgau since 2017.
Two left the cantonal territory after a short time, while the third animal was killed in 2020 due to an illness.
Saturday 6th April
Mikaela Shiffrin Gets Engaged
The US skier was popped the question in her adopted winter home of Innsbruck in the Tirol.
Wednesday 3rd April
Free Ski Passes for Swiss Ministers To End
Swiss government ministers will no longer receive free ski passes, according to a report from Schweizer Radio.
The annual pass costs 4,234 Swiss francs (£3,723).
It comes as Switzerland sees rising inflation and the soaring cost of living.
The decision was made by the Federal Council, the country’s seven-member executive body.
The council reportedly decided that the perk was no longer justifiable in the current economic climate.
The move has been met with mixed reactions.
Some have praised the decision as a necessary austerity measure, while others have criticised it as a symbolic slight against government officials.
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Monday 1st April
Racers Odermatt & Gut-Behrami Top Prize Money List
The Swiss ski racers Marco Odermatt and Lara Gut-Behrami earned the most money on the World Cup alpine ski race circuit last season.
Odermatt won 13 races and took home 810,000 Swiss francs ($903,000) in prize money.
He made more than twice as much as any other male skier.
Gut-Behrami earned 574,200 Swiss francs ($640,000) and won a career-best eight races.
They would likely have earned more but a series of speed races in the downhill and super-G disciplines were called off due to the weather.
Mikaela Shiffrin earned 557,000 Swiss francs ($621,000), but her season was hit by injury.
Image © PlanetSKI
25th Snowbombing Festival in Mayrhofen
Snowbombing (8-13 April 2024) is famous for its adrenaline-fuelled snowboarding and skiing, plus lively partying in the resort of Mayrhofen in the Tirol with leading DJs, club nights and live acts performing.
Think igloo raves, enchanted forest parties and some cutting edge performances.
This year’s line-up includes Fatboy Slim, Bicep and Andy C.
Austrian Tirol: www.visittirol.co.uk
Image c/0 The Tirol
Avoriaz Celebrates End of Season
With skiing at the forefront, the closing week promises a thrilling line-up including après-ski sessions, concerts, parties, and the soapbox race on snow known as the Fine-Cup.
Organized by the association La Fine-Équipe in memory of Martin Perrier, this race features teams of three people, disguised, with unprecedented sliding devices such as boats, wheelbarrows, or stretchers – anything goes as long as it goes downhill.
Throughout the afternoon, come and party at the foot of the Tête aux Boeufs stadium with a waterslide, a DJ, a refreshment stand, and light catering.
The closing week will take place from 13 – 20 April 2024 and is free to attend.
Avoriaz: www.avoriaz.com
Avoriaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbühel Spring Games
Following its successful second edition last year, the Kitzbühel Spring Games will return this year for the third time.
This is an innovative series of events which will see several contests competing in Kitzbühel in March.
Head to Kitzbühel on 30 March 30 2024, to join the anticipated fifth installment of the exhilarating “Pool Slide Contest”.
Participants eagerly vie for acclaim from the discerning jury, showcasing either their authentic 80’s attire or their freestyle prowess on the pool nestled within the ski piste.
Spectators are treated to a lively atmosphere with a DJ providing beats, refreshing libations, and delectable snacks.
The day’s schedule includes registration and distribution of start numbers at 10 am, followed by the commencement of the first round of the pool slide contest at 11 am, progressing to the second round at 12 pm.
The event culminates in an award ceremony at 2 pm, followed by an after-party.
Kitzbühel: www.kitzbuehel.com
Kitzbuhel. Image © PlanetSKI
