Amtrak Winter Park Express 2019 Season Has Begun

THE third season of the "Amtrak Winter Park Express" started with its first departure from Denver Union Station on January 4, arriving at Winter Park Resort and delivering 300 happy skiers and riders directly to the slopes.

The train will continue to run every Saturday and Sunday as well as the first two Fridays of every month through March 31. New this year is a sightseer lounge car complete with food and beverage service.


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Aussies seek more from their ski holidays

AUSTRALIANS are seeking holistic snow holidays with unique experiences and cultural immersion alongside thrilling snow sports, according to sales insights released today by Club Med, in-line with the all-inclusive provider’s #ski season opening. 

An increased number of Australians are signing up for the emotions that you can only experience on a snow holiday, such as the liveliness that comes with fresh mountain air on your face, the freedom of smooth ski runs, the wonder during après ski adventures, and the content from feasting on delicious, well-earned, mountain fare. 

Almost all rooms in Club Med’s newest Japanese resort, Tomamu Hokkaido, have been booked through to March 2019, with a huge 37% of those Aussies who skied Japan with Club Med last year returning for 2018. And Club Med’s European resorts are more than 75% full at the start of ski season.

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Breaking into Switzerland

SIX Senses Crans-Montana marks the first resort and residential project in #Switzerland for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Slated to open in 2021, the resort and residences will both be managed by the hotel group. With its sumptuously furnished 47 apartments and 17 residences, Six Senses Crans-Montana will be a unique comprehensive offering in what is one of the finest and most beautiful ski areas in the Alps – as desirable in the height of summer for walking and cycling as it is during the ski season.

The property is nestled in the heart of the spectacular Swiss Alps and has been built to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, providing residents and guests with stunning views and the perfect place to relax and retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.



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Chatbot helps find your dream ski holiday

THE Austrian National Tourist Office have overseen an industry-first, a Facebook Chatbot to help users find their dream ski holiday. The bot was created by chatbot specialists Chit Chat Agency.

The bot asks users 5 questions and then displays relevant ski resorts based on the user’s personal preferences. 4 chatbots have been developed for key territories including UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

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Epic dream job from Ski.com

THE Epic Pass offers more access than ever, and Ski.com, the largest provider of ski vacations in North America, is searching for a candidate who can show what it's like to experience it all. 

One lucky person will be hired to travel the world for two months via United Airlines to seven countries on three continents, and ski or ride more than a dozen of the 65 destinations available on the Epic Pass. In addition to being introduced to unique experiences at world-class resorts, he or she will be decked out in head-to-toe gear from Helly Hansen, Rossignol and Oakley; capture enviable content with video equipment from GoPro; have a direct line to custom snow forecasts from OpenSnow and collect a paycheck of US$10,000.

The ideal candidate must have a serious desire to travel to some of the most amazing mountain destinations in the United States, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France and Japan; must be able to ski and/or snowboard and must love après, mingling with locals and documenting new experiences.

To apply, interested job seekers must submit an application video between September 5 and October 15, 2018 explaining in 60 seconds or less what makes them the perfect candidate. For more information and to apply, applicants should visit www.ski.com/dreamjob or apply by posting an application video to Instagram tagging @skicom, @epicpass and using the hashtag #EpicDreamJob.


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1 Pass over 27 Destinations

IKON Pass, the new standard in season passes, announces Thredbo as its newest partner, now offering access to nearly 26,000 hectares (more than 64,000 acres) at 27 premier mountain destinations across the globe. The Ikon Pass is available for purchase at www.ikonpass.com and through selected travel partners. 

In addition to access to 26 destinations in North America, all Ikon Pass holders can enjoy skiing and riding throughout Thredbo’s 2018 winter season. Ikon Pass holders will have seven-day access to Thredbo on the Ikon Pass with no black-out dates, and five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass, with selected black-out dates. 

Thredbo, Australia’s premier snow destination, offers an incredible snow experience with its impressive mountain accessing 480 hectares of varied terrain and its 672 vertical meters providing the country’s longest snow runs, combined with its picturesque alpine village at the base of the mountain which creates a vibrant après atmosphere. 

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The Epic Pass

THE Telluride Ski Resort will join the industry-leading Epic Pass in a long-term alliance beginning with 2018-19 winter season, bringing the total to 46 mountain resorts for #skiers and #snowboarders. Telluride has been rated the “#1 Ski Resort in North America” five of the last six years by readers of Condé Nast Traveller.

Colorado’s San Juan Mountains boast some of ski country’s most incredible terrain, and Telluride is its mecca, stashed amongst the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in North America. The breathtaking scenery is undeniably some of the most beautiful in the Rockies. 

Living up to its reputation for legendary terrain, Telluride has something for everyone. The Plunge, Revelation Bowl and Gold Hill offer plenty of steeps for experts. See Forever and Prospect Bowl provide ideal terrain for intermediates and the wide open, gentle slopes of The Sunshine Express and The Meadows start beginners off right while enjoying the endless scenery of the San Juans.

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Winter phenomena: snow monsters

SURROUNDED by grand mountains and 1,900 years of venerable hot springs tradition, Zao is located in Yamagata prefecture only 3 hours away from Tokyo and known as a top-tier traditional skiing and snowboarding resort in Japan. Zao is known for its multiple winter phenomena. Because of the unique weather conditions, trees are covered with ice and snow, or as locals call them, Juhyo, or even Snow Monsters. 

The Snow Monsters winter scenery which combined with the wide panoramic scenery make Zao Onsen the best winter resorts in Japan for scenery. The Juhyo can be seen from morning till late evening if you board the Zao Ropeway, which starts at the foot of the mountain. Furthermore, on weekends until 4th March 2018, visitors are treated to, “Juhyo Corridor of Fantasy” tour where the Juhyo are lit up throughout the night and are visible from snowmobile.

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Club Med opens 8th retail outlet in Australia

ICONIC holiday operator Club Med opened its first Queensland in-store boutique at Snowscene in Woolloongabba. The holiday boutique is just Club Med’s 8th such retail outlet in #Australia. 

Snowscene’s General Manager, Emily Foy, described the partnership as “a perfect alignment of a pair of iconic holiday brands. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Club Med into our retail space, and look forward to delivering an authentic Club Med experience to our customers in store”, continued Ms Foy. 

Club Med’s boutique deepens a long term relationship between the two businesses. At a recent Club Med VIP conference in Bintan, Snowscene was recognised for delivering the ‘Highest Ski Growth’ for Club Med from Australia.

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Globe Travel Awards reveals awards for touring and adventure in 2018

THE increasing importance of the touring and #adventure sector to the #travel trade has been reflected with a new Globe Travel Awards category for best adventure operator.

The category will celebrate the growth of adventure travel, alongside other awards crowning the best in class in mainstream and premium escorted touring.

To make the categories clearer, the Best Activity & Adventure Operator award has been renamed Best Operator for Activities, honouring suppliers that specialise in activities including skiing, cycling, walking and water sports.



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Head to the Alps with Jet2

NO better time for snow bunnies to book a flight to the slopes from London Stansted, as Jet2 have slashed the price of ski carriage on ski routes from its newest base. The offer means skiers and boarders can take 22kg of ski carriage for just £1 return on featured flights.

With flights to some of the very best skiing destinations in Europe from London Stansted to four ski destinations this winter with the French and Austrian Alps well and truly covered. Flights operate to the following destinations, and the offer applies to these routes only:

Geneva (five weekly flights)
Grenoble (one service every week)
Salzburg (three weekly services)
Lyon (two weekly services)

Must book between Friday 1st September until Saturday 30th September 2017, and travel between Thursday 30th November 2017 and Monday 30th April 2018.

www.jet2.com/ski

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More snow means longer season for Perisher

PERISHER in #Australia has seen over two metres of snowfall throughout August and the four-resort area of Perisher, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega are all looking superb. Spring skiing and boarding conditions are the best that skiers have experienced since 2012 and with plenty more snow forecast through next week Perisher has extended the season through Sunday October 8.

Perisher is Australia’s most popular alpine holiday destination. Located in the picturesque Kosciuszko National Park which is home to Australia’s highest peak Mt Kosciuszko, the resort is just three hours’ drive from Canberra. Perisher boasts an incredible 47 lifts accessing an immense 1,245 hectares of varied snow-covered terrain, and has four resorts areas including Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega to make it the Southern Hemisphere's largest alpine resort.

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Ski Japan: resort news

WITH a positive exchange rate for British travellers this year, additional daily flights from London to Tokyo, and the guarantee of plentiful powdery snow, it’s clear to see why #ski holidays to #Japan are growing in popularity.

Whether you’re keen to visit the snow monsters of little-known resorts such as Zao Onsen in Tohoku, or hit the famed slopes of the 1998 Winter Olympics venue in Hakuba – Japan has resorts of all sizes, with slopes aplenty for any level of skier.

Niseko, Hokkaido
The Ace Family Chair Lift has undergone an overhaul which will see its capacity double per hour. 

Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort has announced the construction of a new ski lift – the Dream Quad Lift #1 specifically for beginner skiers and snowboarders. The new lift will be built at the bottom of Annupuri Gondola and will be complete in December 2017. The lift will be 433 metres long.

Hakuba, Nagano

A new Hoshino Resorts property, KAI Alps, will open on 21st December 2017. Within close proximity to Hakuba’s slopes, this property will offer the incredible service and 5* food that marks these Japanese properties out from the crowd. This stylishly cosy ryokan will offer hot springs with views over the Alps beyond, as well as authentic Japanese winter experiences such as snuggling up under kotatsu (heated tables with over-top blankets) eating winter delicacies. 

Mountain Side Hakuba – a new ski in, ski out condominium resort – opened in January 2017. The accommodation offers incredible views of the Olympic chair, and provides ski-in ski-out access to over 200 ski runs.

Tomamu, Hokkaido
Club Med will introduce their brand new hotel – Club Med Tomamu – in December 2017. Sprawled across the Tomamu mountain, this resort will allow skiers and boarders to immerse themselves in the layers of powder snow, perfect for thrill-seekers hunting down their next adventure. Nearby activities will entertain all the family, with Mina Mina – the largest indoor wave pool in Japan - an ice village and hot springs with a panoramic forest views all in close vicinity. Tomamu has a total of 29 ski runs, five lifts and one gondola.


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Ski in Slovakia and stay at the Dragon's Lair

JASNA Adventures has launched its brand new built chalet in the #ski resort of Jasna, #Slovakia, opening in October 2017 in time for the winter season.

The Dragon’s Lair sleeps up to 19 people in five guest rooms, all with ensuite, that include two upstairs-downstairs family rooms, a double, a triple, and a large 2+2 room – there’s a fulltime chalet host, an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna and fitness area, plus a full bar downstairs.

Guests can choose whether they stay on a bed & breakfast or half-board basis. There’s also a private lift shuttle service that drops off and picks up guests at the slopes in as little as eight minutes drive.

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Gourmet Ski Safari

THE #Dolomites Gourmet Ski Safari, now on offer from #Ski Solutions combines the opportunity to indulge in world-class high altitude winter sports as well as the refined cuisine and fine wines of Northern #Italy.

Explore 12 different ski areas including the famous Armentarola run, one of the longest and most beautiful slopes in the Dolomites under the expert guidance of a qualified mountain ski guide.

Accommodation on this six-night safari includes a mix of comfortable four-star hotels and authentic Dolomite rifugi, the traditional and charming ‘shelter’ huts tucked away in the mountains. As the safari passes through the Trentino region, guests might sample mouth watering treats such as ravioli alle pere selvatiche (ravioli with wild pears), fagot da mont (tasty tortelli pasta with black mirtillo and braised deer), and la zuppa di porcini e patate (soup with mushrooms and potatoes).

The safari ends with a delicious dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the final night.

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New Zealands gears up to host the British & Irish Lions

SEVEN New Zealand cities, from north to south, will host the British & Irish Lions when they tour in 2017, and the much-anticipated #rugby action promises to attract more than 20,000 visitors.

Host cities will be Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Wellington, in the North Island – and Christchurch and Dunedin, in the South Island. The Lions Tour is the biggest sporting series to be held in #NewZealand since Rugby World Cup 2011.

New Zealand Rugby and the British & Irish Lions have agreed a programme of 10 matches during their 2017 series, kicking off in Whangarei, in the far north, on June 3 and finishing in Auckland on July 8.

Rugby aside June and July are winter months in New Zealand which brings snow, in the North Island are the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park with Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas. The South Island has great skiing at Queenstown, Wanaka and Mount Huttwhich means if Rugby isn't your thing there is always skiing.

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Last minute bargains from Ski Solutions

FANTASTIC late #deals from specialist operator #Ski Solutions, from breath taking glacier skiing and lively aprés-ski in Tignes to Mayrhofen’s vast multi-level network of runs with plenty of white-knuckle descents. Or indulge in a luxury getaway at Les Arcs’ first five-star hotel or a romantic ski break in beautiful Engelberg.

Tignes, France: seven nights self-catering accommodation at the three-star Val Claret Apartments from £545 per person, saving £220 per person.

Mayrhofen, Austria: seven nights chalet board accommodation at the four-star Chalet Stoanerhof from £480 per person, saving £470 per person.

Les Arcs, France: seven nights accommodation and half-board catering at the five-star Taj-i-Mah Hotel from £1515 per person, saving £315 per person.

Engelberg, Switzerland: four nights bed and breakfast accommodation and a free lift pass at the three-star Hotel Terrace from £695 per person, saving £100 per person.

Bookings must be made before February 3rd go to www.skisolutions.com

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Feeling the blues?

NEW ORLEANS meets Snow from April 7-9 2017 in Tyrol, Austria. Cool funk and blues rhythms can be heard at live concerts on the village streets and in many local establishments during the 4th “New Orleans meets Snow” festival. 

Even a distinctive marching band will also parade through the alpine mountain village and on the slopes they will be getting into the groove. The highlight of this year’s line-up is the "Blues Night" on Saturday evening at ARLBERG-well.com with the Markus Linder Blues Band and star guest, Vasti Jackson from New Orleans, who will be performing with his ensemble.

The festival signals the end of the ski season on the Arlberg.

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Kitzbühel crowned “Austria’s Best Ski Resort”

Kitzbühel was crowned “Austria’s Best Ski Resort” at this year’s World #Ski Awards, a title was also awarded to the Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel as “World’s Best Ski Resort Company”.

The Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel invested no less than €26.5m last season – the largest amount in its history. The Brunn Project was the main point of investment, opening up a whole new world of quality and standards of comfort. For even better skiing in Winter 2016/17, there have also been major improvements to the artificial snowmaking facilities.

The renowned Hahnenkamm races and the Snow Polo World Cup take place in Kitzbühel. A further bonus is Kitzbühel’s accessibility from the UK. Situated in West #Austria in the middle of the Tirolean Alps, it is within easy reach of three international airports – Salzburg (80km), Innsbruck (95km) and Munich (125km).

To find out more, visit www.kitzbuehel.com/en or www.kitzski.uk

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Ski off piste

TAKE the piste less skied, in order to maximise time on the slopes this season, try these recommendations from Ski Solutions for off the beaten track #ski #destinations where great conditions, empty slopes and small lift queues are guaranteed.

Warth, Austria:

There’s something for skiers of all abilities in the little known village of Warth, thought to be the snowiest resort in the Alps with an annual average of 11 metres of snow on its upper slopes; more than double that of Val d’Isère. There are plenty of slopes suitable for beginners and intermediates, whilst advanced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy exploring the off-piste terrain. Over recent years, the village has become linked with the nearby glitzy Lech-Zurs ski area and resorts, opening up a further 180km of pistes to visitors. The quiet, family-friendly village is very small, with a steepled church at its centre. With just 150 permanent residents, many of the local businesses are family run and owned.

Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy:

Guests to this sophisticated mountain resort will be living la dolce vita with its high altitude snowy conditions, world-class facilities, stylish hotels and chalets, superb dining, chic boutiques and fine Italian service. Whilst the snow-sure uncrowded slopes are best suited to leisurely intermediates, there’s plenty to do for all abilities across 150km of immaculately groomed pistes, which connect to nearby Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva. Advanced skiers will also enjoy the challenging black runs and there are plenty of off-piste areas, which are easily accessible via the award-winning lift system. The traffic free resort centre is situated in a picturesque wooded valley surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Dolomites.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada:

This powder heavy resort is still one of Canada’s best kept secrets, featuring the longest skiable vertical descent in North America of 5,630 ft. over 9.5 miles. The terrain is vast with something to suit all abilities although for more adventurous skiers wanting to go off-piste, the resort offers excellent heli-skiing and cat-skiing. The charming mountain village is made up of traditional buildings with more modern hotels being developed as the resort becomes more popular each year. Just a short transfer away, the lively Kicking Horse resort also offers great off-piste conditions and features the fourth longest vertical in North America.

Telluride, Colorado, USA:

A historical mining town dating back over 100 years, Telluride’s Wild West roots have made it the stuff of legend. Today, the picturesque town, which is located in a glacial canyon at the base of the dramatic San Juan Mountain range, is home to a number of upmarket shops, restaurants and bars with a lively après ski scene. A favourite with celebrities due to its understated profile, the resort offers some of the most diverse terrain of any ski resort in North America. This makes it particularly well-suited for mixed ability groups or families with plenty of gentle green runs for beginners and long, rolling runs for intermediates. For advanced skiers, there are some double blacks, winding chutes and steep glades.


Further information can be found at www.skisolutions.com

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