Ski News In Brief

Fancy Working in the Alps Next Winter?

29th August 2024

The UK ski operator, VIP SKI, is hiring Nannies.

We’re hiring! 👏

We are currently looking for nannies with excellent childcare experience (qualified to NNEB, CACHE, NVQ level 3 or have equivalent teaching/caring qualifications).

If you fancy an unforgettable winter in the Alps with us, then please get in touch!#Nanny pic.twitter.com/TXh0NUjLDZ

— VIP SKI (@VIP_SKI) August 22, 2024

You could be working at Bear Lodge in Arc 1950, France.

• What makes an award-winning ski hotel?

Arc 1950. France. Image © PlanetSKI

Bear Lodge, Arc 1950. Image © PlanetSKI

First Snow of Approaching Season in USA

27th August 2024

It’s been cold across the Pond and the first dusting of snow has fallen in one of our favourite resorts in the USA – Jackson Hole.

It will of course melt, but it is a sign of what’s to come.

PlanetSKI is hoping to be visiting the iconic resort in Wyoming next season and we will be posting a full update in the autumn about what the resort offers and what’s new for next winter.

Representatives from the ski resort will be in London next month at a special USA evening, so do pop along of you can.

See further details in this earlier PlanetSKI article:

• Skiing in the USA

Here’s more from Jackdon Hole:

Snow-capped peaks to start the week in the Tetons! ❄️ The first sign of winter reminding us that the season starts in less than 100 days. Share this with someone you’re excited to ski/ride with ⛷️ 🏂

FYI 👉 Winter is on-sale now! Link in bio to see how you can save up to $500 on… pic.twitter.com/vvGZeUKmDU

— Jackson Hole (@jhski) August 26, 2024

And talking of the approaching season of 2024/25…

Can you believe it? While most of you are still enjoying summer ☀️🏖️🏄🏻‍♀️🌊, it’s already -60 days until the FIS alpine skiing season begins! Soelden is just around the corner, bringing the thrill of winter competition closer than ever 🤯#fisalpine #ski #wintersport #60daystogo pic.twitter.com/PAw9jcZa2t

— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) August 27, 2024

Winter is coming folks!

Three South Korean Ski Racers Die in NZ Car Accident

26th August 2024

They were in New Zealand with the national ski team competing in and training for the Winter Games NZ.

The accident happened near Queenstown on State Highway 79 on the South Island.

They were driving to a training camp at Roundhill Ski Area in Tekapod area.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

No further details have been released and an investigation is underway.

Image c/o Korea Ski & Snowboard Association

Tourist Dies in Ice Cave Collapse in Iceland

26th August 2024

Two people are missing, and another is in hospital.

The accident happened on the Breidamerkurjökull glacier in the south of the country and all those in the group were foreign tourists.

The ice collapsed as the group of 25 people were visiting an ice cave with a guide on Sunday.

The police said there was nothing to suggest that the trip to the cave should not have taken place.

“Ice cave tours happen almost the whole year,” said Chief Superintendent Rúnarsson on Icelandic TV.

“These are experienced and powerful mountain guides who run these trips. It’s always possible to be unlucky.

“I trust these people to assess the situation – when it’s safe or not safe to go, and good work has been done there over time. This is a living land, so anything can happen.”

The search operation is continuing.

Melting Ice in Norway Reveals Historic Artefacts

25th August 2024

Wooden artifacts once used by ancient reindeer hunters have been discovered in a mountainous region of Scandinavia.

The objects, known as “scaring stick” flags, were found in Breheimen National Park, Norway.

A team of two archaeologists and a mountain guide with Secrets of the Ice, which specializes in the archaeology of glaciers and ice patches, found the items.

The team spotted the artifacts during an exploratory survey of an area where a large ice patch, essentially, a small non-moving glacier frozen to the ground, has melted back significantly and split up into smaller ice and snow patches. 

First artefact finds of the year!🥰

We just completed our first survey of the year in Breheimen National Park. We were thrilled to find a complete scaring stick flag and a broken one flag as well!

These flags are believed to be around 1500 years old. pic.twitter.com/a1twDRG38c

— Secrets Of The Ice (@brearkeologi) August 11, 2024

New Ski Flights From Cardiff to the French Alps

24th August 2024

They will run from 21st December 2024 to 15th March 2025.

The TUI Airways ski flights operate every Saturday from Wales to Chambery.

TUI owns the UK ski operator, Crystal Ski Holidays.

Chambery is a gateway to resorts in the north-west French Alps including Les3Vallees, Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs and La Plagne.

It is the first ski route directly available from Cardiff since winter 2019/2020.

“We’re delighted to announce this news,” said the Head of Business Development at Cardiff airport, Lee Smith.

“Our customers have been asking for a ski route for quite some time.

“It’s fantastic Crystal Ski has now reacted to customer demand.”

Tui airways. Image © PlanetSKI

New Heated Chairlift for Lake Louise

24th August 2024

The resort in Alberta, Canada, can see some very cold temperatures.

“Upper Juniper, will be a heated 6-seater with a bubble hood, making it an ideal lift for cold winter days,” said the resort.

“With heated seats, a bubble hood and a ride time under 7 minutes, the new chair, opening this winter, will get skiers and riders to the top comfortably and quickly.”

The new lift gives access from the top of the existing Juniper Chair to the Summit Chair and alpine ski area.

Lake Louise, Canada. Image © Ross Young

GB Snowsport Announces New Supporter

23rd August 2024

Step forward the FT.

🚨 Big news: We’ve teamed up with @FT starting this season! Look out for the FT on our Alpine and Para Alpine World Cup race suits as we continue to push British snowsport to new heights!https://t.co/rgLwjefqRD pic.twitter.com/owlRGiYatt

— GB Snowsport (@GBSnowsport) August 22, 2024

Australian Ski Seasons Set to Get Shorter

22nd August 2024

Modelling by Australian researchers suggests the ski season could be under threat if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced.

Year on year, Australia’s ski season is getting shorter amid the impacts of climate change.

See here for more:

British Adventurer Breaks BASE-Ski Jump World Record

21st August 2024

34-year-old Joshua Bregmen accomplished the world’s highest altitude ski jump by launching himself from a 5,716m cliff in Nepal and safely landing.

This feat surpassed the previous record, set in 2019, of 4,359m held by Frenchman Matthias Giraud.

The jump was organised by Bregmen to raise awareness about Nepal’s human-trafficking epidemic and provide financial assistance to thousands of child victims.

Former Atomic Employee Allegedly Steals 1,900 Pairs of Skis

20th August 2024

The accused is a 57 year old man with an accomplice who allegedly ran a scheme to siphon off the high-value equipment from the company’s Altenmarkt facility.

According to authorities he was responsible for disposing of skis with minor defects, but instead he is accused of diverting them for personal gain.

It is alleged that he sold the stolen skis for around €50 a pair, a fraction of their retail price.

It is thought he accumulated a substantial profit over several years.

A raid on the suspect’s home uncovered approximately 300 pairs of ‘stolen’ skis, suggesting a vast network of buyers for the skis.

See more on Ski Industry News.

Race skis. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Tignes To Take Over Running of Its Lift System

19th August 2024

The lift system is currently run by Compagnie des Alpes with the contract expiring in 2026.

Once the contract runs out the Tignes Municipal Council is to set up a Local Public Company (SPL, Société Publique Locale) to manage its ski area starting June 1, 2026.

Compagnie des Alpes took over operation of the Tignes ski area in 1989/90, when it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The nearly 300 employees of STGM, the resort’s largest employer, will begin working for the SPL to be created by the Tignes municipality.

In accordance with the agreements reached, the SPL will also take over all of the ski lifts installed (returnable assets) from STGM in exchange for compensation currently estimated at approximately €103m.

See more here.

Tignes, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Polar Bears Kill Worker at Canada Arctic Radar Station

17th August 2024

Two polar bears killed a worker at a remote Arctic radar station in Canada’s northern Nunavut territory.

The employee, who has not been named, was working for Nasittuq Corporation – a logistics company which operates radar defence sites on behalf of the Canadian government.

Other workers responded to the scene and killed one of the bears, the company said in a statement.

“We are working closely with local authorities and regulatory agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the company said.

“The safety and well-being of our employees is our highest priority, and we are deeply committed to ensuring a safe working environment.”

The attack took place last week on Brevoort Island, southeast of Baffin Island.

Polar bear attacks on humans are extremely rare, but this is at least the second recorded deadly incident involving a polar bear attack since 2023.

See here for more on the BBC.

Avalanche Warnings for NZ Skiers

16th August 2024

Three avalanches this week have led the authorities to issue warnings to back country skiers and snowboarders.

“These incidents really highlight that all slopes beyond ski field boundaries, no matter how close, should be regarded as backcountry terrain and treated accordingly,” said the NZ Mountain Safety Council chief executive, Mike Daisley, to the NZ Herald newspaper.

“Fortunately, in these cases, no one was injured, despite several close calls.”

There remain avalanche threats including persistent slabs, with most regions given a “moderate” or “considerable” avalanche danger rating.

The threat is at resorts and ski areas on the North and South Islands.

“Skiing within the ski field boundary means you’re within a controlled environment where ski patrols monitor and manage avalanche danger,” added Mike Daisley.

“In contrast, skiing in the backcountry is an uncontrolled, wild environment, where avalanche hazards are not actively managed.

“Those venturing beyond the patrolled ski area boundaries need to take responsibility for assessing the terrain, understanding snow conditions and making safe decisions.”

Skiing in New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI.

Search Suspended for Missing British Hiker in Pyrenees

15th August 2024

67-year-old Tom Doherty, a retired doctor from Hertfordshire, was travelling and camping solo in the mountain range.

He fell last Tuesday and sent his family a WhatsApp message at 19:07 BST telling them he had fallen and asking for help.

Sniffer dogs and helicopters were used in the search.

His car was found near the Col d’Escots hiking trail in the Ariege region near Cirque de Gerac.

A huge search operation was launched with his family flying to France to take part.

No trace of him has been found.

The prosecutor’s office in Foix told AFP news agency that “Search operations have been suspended. After five days, we haven’t managed to find him.”

An investigation into Mr Doherty’s is continuing.

The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI

Ben’s Bus Transfers Now Selling for Next Winter

14th August 2024

The ski season is coming folks.

Snowsports businesses are putting their services on sale and the latest is the ski transfer company Ben’s Bus, with a 5% discount for early bookers.

Next winter it is grabbing the environmental issue by the horns and the carbon footprint of all its transfers will be off set.

See here for more:

• Ben’s Bus Transfer Company Goes Carbon Neutral

Ben’s Bus

Team from Ski Solutions Set for Charity Cycle Ride

11th August 2024

The group is heading to Val d’Isere in France raising money for the Snow Sports Foundation.

The London to Val d’Isère bike ride team will pedal off from the Ski Solutions office  in London on Friday 23 August, heading down to the ferry at Newhaven.

Crossing over to Dieppe and skirting north-east of Paris, they will then head south-east towards the Swiss border and Lake Annecy.

The team will pick up the Route des Grandes Alpes, riding from the Beaufortain range into the Tarentaise valley.

On the final day, they face two climbs up to Val d’Isère.

This challenge averages an impressive 130km per day, climbing a total of 9,000m over the week.

The team aims to raise £5,000 and has so far been pledges £1,403 – that’s 28% towards its target.

You can donate here on Just Giving.

Ski Solutions has officially partnered with the Snow Sports Foundation, SSF.

“Our fantastic new charity partner provides life-changing ski and snowboard experiences to those facing physical, emotional and social hardship,” said Ski Solutions.

“We will be donating £1 per passenger to SSF for every tailor-made ski holiday booked with us.

“The funds we raise will help SSF to continually deliver snow sports opportunities for their students, making skiing accessible to as many people as possible.

“This includes everything from lessons to instructor qualifications and support groups.”

British Doctor Missing in the Pyrenees

10th August 2024

67-year old Tom Doherty from Hertfordshire was travelling and camping solo in French section of the mountain range.

His family received a WhatsApp message from him at 19:07 BST on Tuesday asking for help and saying he had fallen.

His car was found near the Col d’Escots trail in the Ariege region.

Search teams using sniffer dogs have been looking for Mr Doherty but have been hampered by fog.

Members of his family have flown out to join the search and rescue efforts.

His niece, Kat Waterhouse, told the BBC the WhatsApp message called for “help”, saying “I can’t move”.

She said French search teams had been out on foot and in helicopters, but had been hampered by descending fog.

“They broke into his car and sniffer dogs sniffed his jacket, but didn’t find anything yet.”

See more on the BBC.

The Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI

Search Called Off for German Climbers on Mont Blanc

10th August 2024

Two German mountaineers remain missing after a serac collapsed triggering an avalanche.

The accident happened on Monday and it is likely the two climbers in their 30s were swept into a crevasse as the block of ice collapsed.

Another person died in the incident and four others were injured as we reported lower down this ‘Ski News in Brief’ rolling blog on Tuesday 6th August.

“The search is over,” said Jean Ailhaud, said the deputy prosecutor in the Alpine town of Bonneville to the AFP newsagency.

“Unfortunately there is no longer any point.

“They were most probably hurled into the crevasse which is now covered in 10m of snow.

“It would be suicidal to try and climb down.

“The glacier will one day return the bodies.”

Mont Blanc, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Warming temperatures are making the ice and rocks more unstable as the permafrost weakens.

A guard at the Plan de l’Aiguille mountain hut, Eddy Veillet, filmed rocks tumbling down the north face of the Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eddy Veillet (@farate74)

Adidas & Team GB Continue Olympic Partnership

9th August 2024

It will include the 2026 Winter Olympic in Milan-Cortina in Italy and the 2030 Winter Games scheduled for France.

The partnership began at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984 and it remains the British Olympic Association’s longest serving domestic partnership.

Adidas will supply all Team GB athletes with competition wear across 36 Olympic summer sports and 16 Olympic winter sports.

Athletes will also sport village and podium wear off the field of play during Games-time, as well as the various international youth events where Team GB is represented.

Olympic Rings.

Skiing & Snowboarding Are Top Reasons for Visiting Japan

8th August 2024

Japan Tourism Agency says that as far as the number of travellers are concerned, ‘ski or snowboard’ was top with 546,000 travellers.

It was followed by ‘treatment or health check’ with 175,000 travellers and ‘sports spectators’ with 473,000 travellers.

Skiers and snowboarders spent 328,000 yen (£963) per person.

JTA has estimated that an economic impact boosted by international skiers and snowboarders was about 64.3 billion yen in 2023.

The number of skiers and snowboarders was down from about 8.8 million in 2018 to 5.5 million in 2023.

Spending increased from 225,000 yen a traveller in 2018 to 328,000 yen a traveller in 2023.

JTA has recognized that ski and snowboard are one of the key tourism activities to increase local spending and extend stay days in local areas.

Summer in Japan ski resort. Image © PlanetSKI

Chris Bonington Reflects on Life in the Mountains

7th August 2024

In his 90th year Sir Chris Bonington reflects on his life in the mountains with Nial Grimes.

One Dead & Four Injured in Mont Blanc Serac Collapse

6th August 2024

A large block of ice collapsed above a group of 15 mountaineers.

The accident happened at 3am on Monday 5^th August at an altitude of 4,100m on the peak’s north face,

The exact location was Mont Blanc du Tacul that is a part of the Mont Blanc massif, about halfway between the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc.

The serac collapse triggered a rock avalanche that reached the Col du Midi and hit a line of climbers on their way up Mont Blanc via the popular Three Peaks Route.

The person who died was a 57-year old French national.

The nationality and names of the injured has not been released.

Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France. Image © PlanetSKI

First Indoor Ski Centre for the Balkans

5th August 2024

The Ravna Planina Ski Center will have a 350-meter-long ski slope, a vertical drop of 100 meters, and a width of 45 meters.

The ski slope, snow park, cross-country skiing track, sledding area, and baby park will cover an area of 16.000 square meters,

It will be powered by renewable energy sources.

“In response to climate change, which significantly affects winter tourism, the idea emerged for a project that would enable year-round skiing, regardless of the season and weather conditions,” said the centre.

It is expected to be operating within 5 years.

11-year Old Boy Aims to Climb 100 Mountains in 50 Days

4th August 2024

Jack, from Gloucestershire, who has nicknamed himself “Mountain Goat Jack” is taking on the challenge over the summer holidays to raise money for the World Land Trust.

“They help the environment and have done many projects trying to help rainforests,” he said.

This is his seventh outdoor challenge in nearly three years and he has raised over £5,000 for wildlife causes so far.

With the support of his parents who have accompanied him on his hikes, Jack has completed 73 mountains in 19 days.

He has previously completed a challenge of 10 mountains in 10 days, which Jack described as “very easy”

“It’s not that hard, but it’s really fun. I just like mountains. I don’t know why,” he said.”

See here for more on the BBC.

Davos Restaurant Manger Fined for Refusing to Rent Equipment to Jews

3rd August 2024

The manager was sentenced to a fine and a suspended fine for “discrimination by refusing to provide services on the grounds of race, ethnicity or religion,” the southeastern Graubunden canton’s public prosecutor office.

Last February a sign outside the shop , in Hebrew, said that because of various incidents, “including the theft of a sled, we no longer rent sports equipment to our Jewish brothers.”

The policy applied to all winter sports equipment including sleds, airboards and snowshoes, it said, ending with “thank you for your understanding.”

It caused a storm of protest, with the manager apologising and lifting the ban.

The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities filed the legal complaint.

The size of the fine has not been announced.

Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI.

Go Boys!

2nd August 2024

Meet the GB Telemark Squad

1st August 2024

🚨 Meet the GB Telemark Squad! 🚨

We are proud to announce our 11 athletes representing Britain for the 2024-2025 Telemark season!https://t.co/JxtxwZtRDv pic.twitter.com/mymTGdDETN

— GB Snowsport (@GBSnowsport) July 31, 2024

Summer Snow Melt on Swiss Glaciers Increases

1st August 2024

The glaciers are continuing to shrink as warmer temperatures take their toll.

On Swiss #glaciers the days of plenty are over for this year: we started off with excellent conditions (much snow). But during the last weeks the tide has turned. Melt has kicked in, probably accelerated by abundant Saharan dust on snow surfaces. Partly 3m of snowmelt in a month! pic.twitter.com/dyjKucsvLA

— Matthias Huss (@matthias_huss) July 29, 2024

A group of scientists have developed a new technique to monitor the snow on the largest glacier in the Swiss Alps.

So, how does the technology work?

See this video is from BBC Click, the BBC’s technology programme.

British Scientists Investigate Impact of Melting Glaciers

1st August 2024

Scientists onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough are on an expedition to investigate the impact of melting glaciers.

The team:

• The British Antarctic Survey,
• Durham University,
• SAMS Marine Science,

They are travelling to Greenland and said their primary focus is to understand the movement of warm ocean water up the fjords and the consequences of increased freshwater runoff from melting glaciers into the ocean.

The research aims to shed light on how these dynamics contribute to ongoing changes in Arctic environments in order to better predict future climate impacts.

Meet the Man Who Claims to Have Visited Every US & Canadian Ski Lift

1st August 2024

Peter Landsman, creator of https://t.co/IzR27yZf5d, shares insights from his incredible journey and reveals the lift that stands out among more than 3,000. #SKI https://t.co/2MzvuVee25

— SKI Magazine (@skimagonline) July 24, 2024