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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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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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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Picture Credit: Telluride ski resort

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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Backpack your snowboard

HEADING off to the slopes this winter then pack light with this latest backpack for your snowboard. 

Board Bootie is the lightest, most convenient protective cover for a snowboard which can also be used as a backpack for carrying the board. Developed

 to protect a rider’s investment in a snowboard and to provide a more convenient way to transport a board to the slopes.

www.boardbootie.net

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New airline launches, opening up routes into heart of the Swiss Alps

NEW airline powdair has launched ticket sales through its website powdair.ski with a winter schedule that links Sion Airport with eight destinations in the UK, Germany and Belgium.

The skiers airline, based in Sion – the heart of Switzerland’s #wintersport region, the Valais, will offer skiers and snowboarders across the UK, Northern Germany and the Benelux Countries the chance to reach some of the world’s most famous winter sports resorts quickly and efficiently.

Flights commence from December 14, 2017 and will significantly cut transfer times to some of Switzerland’s most popular #ski resorts for winter sports enthusiasts including Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana and Nendaz.

The eight airports that will be served by powdair are - London Luton, London Southend, Southampton, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh as well as Antwerp and Hamburg.

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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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Brits party on the piste

WINTER ‘gappies’ are overtaking the clubland sun-seekers in the British holiday market, with 44 percent of UK holidaymakers saying they prefer #skiresorts to beach ones. The phenomenon of the ski season gap year is growing rapidly in popularity, a study by my Travel Cash found.

Young people are favouring luxury ski resorts thanks to the increase in party destinations and budget ski deals on offer. The study found that one in five British holidaymakers are abandoning the booze cruise and shunning sunny shores in favour of luxury ski resorts to holiday with friends.

The survey revealed that off-piste activity is the top trend for ski resort tourists. Winter holiday hotspots such as #Vald'Isere and Tignes have shot up in popularity, where the action can be less exciting as what happens back at the lodges. Even for those who like to take to the slopes, 68 percent spend at least a day and a half of their holiday enjoying food and drink in their cabins, as well as shopping and sight-seeing, rather than hitting the slopes. Thirteen percent do not take part in any snow sports.  

A ski instructor at the French ski resort of Morzine confirms that it’s not the landscapes and sporting opportunities that offer the biggest pull to young Brits: ‘Ski season means party season, and the nightlife is as important as the daytime activities in Morzine. #Apre-ski starts at around 4pm and continues in to the early hours, then those who do ski or board will get up to clear the hangover with fresh air back on the pistes.’

For those who take part in sports activities, a ski season offers the chance for tourists to pad out their CVs while simultaneously enjoying the party lifestyle. Morzine’s ski instructor continues: ‘It’s common for Brits to become qualified ski instructors while they do a season. This looks good to employers and is an alternative to doing promo or holiday repping in Ibiza.”

Ian Johnson, Sales Director at my Travel Cash, said: ‘Overall, snow holidays are currently more achievable than previously thought. Sterling has recently experienced its biggest high since 2007 against currencies including the euro, meaning holiday money can stretch a lot further than people might think, especially in European destinations.

Top 10 snow destinations highlighted by the My Travel Cash research:

 1.     France (35%)
2.     Austria (31%)
3.     Italy (9%)
4.     Switzerland (9%)
5.     Bulgaria (5%)
6.     USA (4%)
7.     Canada (3.5%)
8.     Spain (2%)
9.     Norway (2%)
10.  Germany (2%)

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Snow sports first for Britain

MARCH 2016 will see a first for the UK with the launch of Groove CairnGorm – the first resort-based Snowsports Festival to take place on British snow. The festival, which will take place over the weekend of March 11-12, will be hosted in conjunction with Natural Retreats CairnGorm Mountain Ltd. in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. 

The event takes place over the same weekend as the Scottish Freestyle Championships at #CairnGorm, so some of the country's top riders will be in action in the area.

There will be après-ski with live music and DJs until the early hours in a big top in Aviemore. Shuttle busses will operate between Inverness and Aviemore.

Tickets on sale now, available from www.skiddle.com

www.cairngormmountain.org

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Picture Credit: http://phohttp://www.flickr.com/photos/49503126065@N01/12852496995">A' Mharconaich</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

Avoriaz voted best ski resort in France

WHAT’S the best #skiresort in #France? The Ski Club of Great Britain says – based on votes by members – it’s #Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil.  

Stephane Lerendu, director of the Avoriaz tourist office said: ‘This has always been a unique ski resort. It's 100% ski-in ski-out, has characteristic architecture, and an entirely car-free centre where horse drawn sleds are used as taxis.’

The resort, say the experts, has one of the best snow records in France, with 26ft of snow each season. In the rare event that natural snowfall is sparse, snow-making facilities across the 130 pistes ensures Avoriaz stays in good shape. The resort’s owners – Pierre & Vacances – provide a snow guarantee: good snow or your money back.

www.pierreetvacances.co.uk 

www.avoriaz.com/en 

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Picture Credit: "Crosets". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, "Turn in powder" by Sander Westerveld - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Head north to the pistes

HAVING seen the winter’s first #snow falls in #Scotland, Natural Retreat’s CairnGorm Mountain is preparing to open for the #ski season.   

With investments in a stock of iconic Burton Riglet Snowboard equipment and the launch of a Snow School this season, the company says the mountain is more family friendly than ever before. Even under-fives can reap the benefits with boards as small as 70cm (2.3ft).

The mountain has:

• More than 18 miles of pistes 
• Britain’s highest restaurant, post box, and Starbucks 
• Two shops, 
• An exhibition 
• Disabled access throughout  

A ten-minute drive from Aviemore, the resort can be reached on the Caledonian overnight train from London’s Euston station.

 www.cairngormmountain.org

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53725815@N00/2188769441">P1120605</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/127130111@N06/16320826225">The Guardians</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Ski school on the Scottish slopes

NATURAL RETREATS #CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN is starting its own in-house snow school for the 2015/2016 #skiseason. By bringing the ski school in-house, booking lessons will be integrated with on-site ski hire and ticketing systems. 

Other changes have been implemented for the season, including: new fencing to catch more snow; a beginner’s ski-tow; mechanical reliability improvements to many of the existing ski-tows; and a ‘grab-and-go’ Storehouse Express for snacks on the slopes. 

Early Bird season passes cost £315 for adults and £76 for 6-16-year-olds.

One day of lessons at the ski school, including ski pass and ski hire, costs £99 for adults, £75 for children and seniors, and £57 for under 5’s.

www.cairngormmountain.org

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Eurostar launch ski season ticket sales

SKI enthusiasts looking to travel to the slopes by rail can celebrate as #Eurostar offers passengers more routes to the French Alps than ever before. It has opened sales for its direct ski service from London St Pancras and Ashford International. 

For the first #skiseason ever, Brits can board the train at London St Pancras or Ashford and be in Lyon – the gateway to the French Alps – in just over four-and-a-half hours.

For those wishing to ski in the Swiss Alps, Eurostar’s connecting service to Geneva via Lille is another way to reach the heart of Switzerland and then onto popular resorts. 

The 2015/2016 seasonal ski services will run weekly from December 19 until April 9.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33468357@N04/4308945458">Pistentraum in Bad Kleinkirchheim</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)