November Ski News in Brief

Ice Climbing World Cup Back in La Plagne

19th November 2024

It takes place from 29th January to 1st February 2025 as the sport is a candidate to become an additional discipline at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.

The future members of the Olympic Games Organising Committee will be present at the event.

It was a demonstration sport at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and the Lillehammer YOG in 2016.

It is hoped that ice climbing can now move up a gear by becoming an additional discipline at the 2030 Winter Games.

There will be two competitions:

Speed, which consists of a vertical sprint on an iced wall

Lead, a timed technical ascent on a course that combines ice climbing and dry tooling.

Programme

Wednesday 29/01 at 5.30pm: opening ceremony

Thursday 30/01, 9am – 5pm: lead qualifications

Friday 31/01:
9 – 11.30am: lead semi-final
4 – 6.30pm: speed qualifications
7 – 8pm: speed final

Saturday 1/02 at 5.30pm: final of the lead event, attended by the members of the Olympic Games Organising Committee.

See here for all the events and news from La Plagne for next winter:

What’s new in La Plagne for next winter

La Plagne

2000 Year Old Roman Camp Found in Swiss Alps

17th November 2024

The site was found at 2,200m in the Oberhalbstein Alps near the Italian border.

Archeologists used laser technology to find a treasure trove of fortifications and artifacts, including arrowheads, slingshots and lead sling bullets bearing the stamp of the Roman 3rd Legion.

The researchers from the University of Basel and the Archaeological Service of Graubünden were studying a nearby Roman-era battlefield when a volunteer discovered the encampment in images from airborne Light Detection and Ranging.

Three ditches and a rampart stood out as the first evidence of the camp situated 900 metres above the battlefield where Roman legionaries and local Suanetes tribesmen fought in 15BC.

“The sensational discovery of a Roman military camp in Graubünden once again makes it clear that archaeological research into ‘Roman Switzerland’ continues to have great surprises in store,” said a translated statement from the Canton of Graubünden, an administrative region in eastern Switzerland.

“The discovery on the Colm la Runga is also outstanding because the advance of the Roman armed forces can now be precisely traced over several dozen kilometres.”

See here for more in Legion Magazine.

Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

Study Calls for Climate Action to Preserve Winter Sports

15th November 2024

The study was presented at COP29.

It found that every region of the world that has hosted the Winter Olympics could continue to do so until at least the 2050s, as long as emissions are reduced or stabilised.

It says that effective climate action could preserve winter sports venues in the long term.

Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to securing the future of the Winter Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee is on track to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2024.

There is a target of 50% by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change.

A recent report from the University of Waterloo in Canada concluded that failure to reduce global emissions may mean that only one of the previous 21 Winter Olympics host cities would be able to produce fair and safe conditions for future events.

That single venue was Sapporo in Japan.

See more on Olympics.com

Olympic Rings.

Weekend Train From Paris to the Alps for £23

14th November 2024

There is to be a new high-speed weekend-only train service from the Italian train service Trenitalia.

It will be available on Saturday and Sunday throughout the winter for skiing weekends from the French capital.

Between 15th December 2024 and 30^th March 2025 on Saturdays and Sundays there will be a daily round trip between from Paris to:

Lyon Part-Dieu
Chambéry Challes-les-Eaux
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne-Arvan

The journey between Paris Gare de Lyon and Chambéry will take less than 3 hours 30 minutes.

It is 4 hours 15 minutes to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

The train will depart in the morning and return at the end of the day and gives access to the Savoie ski resorts.

“Thanks to these new connections, we are responding to growing demand from travellers who want to get to the mountains quickly and comfortably,” said the president of Trenitalia France, Marco Caposciutti.

“This is a further step in our commitment to offering flexible, environmentally-friendly routes that are tailored to every need.”

The new routes are now on sale, with passengers able to choose from four different seats, standard, business, executive or the onboard meeting area for workers on the go.

The lowest priced tickets will cost €28 (£23).

Former GB Para-Athlete Sets Off to Ski to South Pole

13th November 2024

Jonny Huntington is aiming to be the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.

The 38-year old suffered a stroke while serving as an officer in the British Army in 2014 – it left him completely paralysed from the neck down on his left side.

He begun his challenge of skiing 566 miles (911km) of Antarctic tundra on Monday – an expedition he said would take 40 days.

He was a member of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team and competed for the GB Para Nordic ski team from 2017 to 2020 at World Cups in Ukraine and Finland.

Mr Huntington said the attempt would be “quite exciting” as “no one with a disability has done this before”.

See more on the BBC.

4-Time Olympian Joins Deer Valley Team

12th November 2024

Ashley Caldwell is an addition to the ‘Ski with a Champion’ group.

The resort next to Park City in Utah invites guests to ski with one of seven Olympic Snowsport athletes this winter.

The latest member of the group is the freestyle aerialist, Ashley Caldwell.

Ashley Caldwell. Image c/o U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team

“We know visitors this season will enjoy the rare opportunity to ski with Olympian and pioneer of the sport, Ashley Caldwell,” said Deer Valley Vice President of Marketing, Susie English.

“Each athlete of our Ski with a Champion program brings their unique talent and perspective to Deer Valley’s slopes, and we encourage guests to reserve their experience today.”

Ashley Caldwell is a 4-time Olympian and Olympic Gold medalist in the sport of Freestyle Aerial skiing.

Ashley Caldwell. Image c/o U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team

Originally from Virginia and she now lives in Park City.

PlanetSKI has enjoyed the ‘Ski with a Champion’ experience when our editor, James Cove, skied with the three time Olympian, Heidi Voelker in 2020.

Deer Valley re-discovered

James Cove & Heidi Voelker in Deer Valley

James Cove & 3 x Olympian Heidi Voelker in Deer Valley. Image © PlanetSKI

Deer Valley, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI

The Ski with a Champion experience is available to participants at least 7 years of age; children 12 and under are required to be accompanied by an adult.

The maximum group size is six people.

Lift tickets are not included, and some skiing experience is required.

Full-day: $2,570 regular season | $2,845 high season*
Half-day: $1,470 regular season | $1,655 high season*

*High season dates: 12/20 – 1/4; 1/17 – 1/20; 2/7 – 2/22; 3/1 – 4/5

Rates do not include sales tax and are subject to change.

For more information about Deer Valley’s Ski with a Champion experience, visit the resort’s website at deervalley.com

Mammut Recalls Avalanche Transceivers

10th November 2024

The Swiss manufacturer is recalling its new avalanche beacons Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2.

Mammut has identified a potential issue with the power switch that may lead to devices switching from send to search mode unintentionally.

The potential malfunction is based on an assembly issue and Mammut and has a solution to fix the issue.

For full details of the defect, models affected, and how to initiate a recall return, please see the Mammut website here.

Mammut stresses that the issue and recall only affects Barryvox 2 and S2 units; previous seasons’ Barryvox and Barryvox S units are not affected.

“We sincerely apologize for the trouble that this recall will cause,” said a statement from Mammut.

“We know many of you are busy preparing your first trips into the snow.

“We promise to be quick and return your checked device if not impacted by the malfunction or send a replacement for your beloved beacon.

“The Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 remain the leading avalanche beacons on the market, and maintaining the trust you have placed in us is our top priority.”

Snow on Mt Fuji At Last

9th November 2024

It has been a long time coming.

Xmas Panto is Back in Verbier

7th November 2024

The world’s only Alpine pantomime is back, bringing a dose of festive magic to Verbier, Switzerland.

Sleeping Beauty is presented by the Verbier Amateur Dramatics Association.

Image c/o Verbier Amateur Dramatics Association.

Set in the whimsical land of Bagnaland, the pantomime follows a delightful cast of characters: a beautiful princess, a charming prince, a hilariously outrageous King and Queen, talking pussycats, glamorous fairies, and even a gaggle of dancing zombies — all with an unexpected Swedish twist.

Audiences can expect a lively show packed with pantomime traditions: slapstick comedy, corny jokes, sing-a-longs, and, of course, lots of audience participation.

And in true Alpine style, cheese takes centre stage in the story, adding a dash of local flavour to the plot.

Rehearsals are in full flow and one of the co-producers, Steve Sparks, told PlanetSKI that “it’s coming together nicely!”

Image c/o Verbier Amateur Dramatics Association.

The pantomime takes place from 13th – 15th December 2024 with tickets priced from 30 CHF / £26 for adults and 15 CHF / £13 for children.

It’s taking plac in the Salle de la Comba in Verbier and tickets can be purchased from www.vada.ch.

Last Xmas the VADA team put on a fabulous performance of Jack and the Beanstalk:

Image c/o Verbier Amateur Dramatics Association.

First Ski Resort for North China

5th November 2024

Attracting over 500 skiers China has finally opened its first ski resort in the extreme North.

See here for more:

Check Out this Ski Video

4th November 2024

Parkin Costain has had his eyes on the Monospine since he was 17-years old.

He has now taken it on while filming for Beyond The Fantasy.

His session on the spine indicates that the next generation is rewriting the limits of what’s possible on skis.

Dive into the full Behind The Line episode to learn more about what went into skiing this spine.

Tour de France Heads to the Mountains

2nd November 2024

Once again it will be in the Alps and the Pyrenees with ski resorts it passes through celebrating.

One is La Plagne in the French Alps that has not seen the world’s most famous cycle race for 23-years.

The resort is turning the period into a celebration of cycling with five days of events.

It starts with the Étape du Tour and its 16,000 amateur racers on Sunday, 20th July, followed by the much-anticipated stage finish of the Tour de France on Friday, 25th July.

This will be the last mountain stage of the Tour de France in the Alps.

The stage is 130kms with a 4,500m elevation gain between Albertville and La Plagne.

After four climbs and a final climb of 19.1 km and 24 hairpins, the riders will arrive at the summit finish in Plagne Villages, 2,052 m above sea level.

“It is, above all, the riders’ last chance to shake up the general rankings… or for the suspense to be over,” said the Tour de France race director, Thierry Gouvenou.

It is the fifth time resort has hosted the Tour.

“For a return to the forefront of the cycling scene, having both the Étape du Tour and the stage finish is a dream scenario for our region,” said the mayor of La Plagne, Jean-Luc Boch.

“With our SUPER8 MTB event taking place 11 to 13 July and the surge of the Tour de France, we are going to see a real celebration of cycling.”

Ahead of summer in La Plagne check out all that is on offer in the resort this winter:

All that is new in La Plagne for next winter

Melting Norway Glaciers Reveal Past

1st November 2024

Climate change is making glaciers melt in Norway.

According to archeologist Julian Post Melbye, there’s one good thing to come out of this: The melting ice allows him and his colleagues to understand the country’s ecological past.

Park City Ski & Snowboards Swap

1st November 2024

It starts today, November 1st, and is now in its 52nd year.

Over 5,000 people come to pick up a bargain at the Basin Recreation Field House.

Ex-Biathlon Athlete Bids to Run 2030 France Winter Olympics

1st November 2024

Martin Fourcade is a five-time Olympic biathlon champion and has declared his candidacy to be president of the organising committee of the 2030 Winter Games.

He is the most successful French Olympian of all time.

He has announced his candidacy for the future 2030 French Alps organising committee in an interview with L’Equipe.

He won five golds and a total of seven Olympic medals.

“The general public expects us to do at least what Paris 2024 did,” he said.

“This enthusiasm, this education that Paris 2024 has provided, is a real asset for the Alps 2030.

“It won’t be easy, but I’m going into it with a lot of enthusiasm because I’m convinced we have what it takes to pull off a magical Games.”

What will 2030 French Winter Olympics look like?

How to Ski Short Turns

1st November 2024

In this “HOW TO PERFORM SHORT TURNS ” tutorial, Maison Sport looks at four tips to take you through how to successfully carry out short turns on skis.

This video is for you if you want to control your speed down steep slopes and if you’re an intermediate to advanced level skier.

Cris takes you through the correct body positioning, how to transition between turns and how to effectively use the pole plant to help your balance and rhythm whilst performing short turns.