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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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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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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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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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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Up in the air . . .

SWISS International Air Lines (SWISS) is to operate further direct flights between London and Sion in Southwest Switzerland in the coming winter timetable period. With the flights having proved highly popular this winter, SWISS has decided to again offer UK-based winter sports enthusiasts these convenient direct services between London and Sion in the coming winter season.

The services will be provided on SWISS’s behalf by Helvetic Airways under a wet-lease arrangement. The flights will be operated with Embraer 190 aircraft offering 112 passenger seats.

The new London-Sion flights are bookable now. The flying time is around two hours.

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Winter Skills in Scotland

FOR the last 7 years Unexplored Scotland has provided quality Winter Skills Courses in #Scotland. The company has revamped the programme of its courses and offers now a 2 day winter course every weekend from early January till early April. The two day course takes place on the Cairngorm hills near Aviemore.

Skills covered on the course include:

• Walking with crampons
• Using an ice axe to cut steps
• Avalanche awareness
• Digging an emergency shelter
• Practice ice axe arrests

For further information go to https://unexplored.scot

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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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Red Bull on ice

AS #Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, Ottawa will host the #RedBull Crashed Ice Cross Downhill World Series Season Finale for the first time on March 4. 

A track built on the Ottawa Locks of Park Canada's historic and picturesque Rideau Canal with athletes racing four-at-a-time down narrow obstacle-filled ice tracks of up to about 500 meters long at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

As part of the celebrations for Ottawa 2017 Ice Club tickets are now on sale for the finale. Ice Club is the VIP area for guests and fans who wants to enjoy the event with an amazing view from the Fairmont Hotel Ballroom and terrace directly to the track on March 4.

Each ticket includes: drinks, food, official wristband, official event tuque, after party (transportation included from Fairmont Chateau Lauriel to the after party venue).

www.redbullcrashedice.com

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Picture Credit: Kurayba 48503330@N08/16196171083 Red Bull Crashed Ice - Edmonton 2015 via photopin

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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Picture Credit: Sebazac flickr.com/photos/54686898@N07/5112623703 via photopin

Early bird bargains

ESTABLISHED in 1986, Ski Solutions are the UK’s original specialist ski tour operator and travel agency, celebrating 30 years of arranging hotel and chalet holidays to the Alps and North America, these great offers must all be booked by January 3rd.

Half-Term escape, Gressoney, Italy seven nights half board accommodation at the three-star Hotel De Gletscher.

New Year escape to the French alps, Courchevel, France seven nights chalet board accommodation at the three-star Chalet Elan.

Luxury chalet escape in January., Val d’Isère, France seven nights chalet board accommodation, at the four-star Chalet La Saulire.

Five-star service at the W Hotel, Verbier, Switzerland seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the five-star W Hotel.

www.skisolutions.com

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Deals on the slopes

WITH the Alps and North America already experiencing heavy snowfall, the forthcoming #ski season is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years. For those who haven’t yet booked, there are still plenty of great deals available to those ‘in the know’, including peak school holiday dates over Christmas, February half-term and Easter.

Ski Solutions have put together their ‘Top Ski Hacks’, to ensure customers get the best deals on the slopes this season.

1. Be snow sure

Early birds wanting to bag the best deals and avoid the lift queues should head to the high-altitude resorts where the snow is guaranteed.Situated at an altitude of 1,907 metres, the village of Obergurgl, Austria enjoys excellent early snowfall and already has a base building covering of 45cm. The resort is a good all-round destination with pistes suitable for all ski standards.

Those willing to hop across the pond will enjoy excellent snow-sure conditions from late November at Park City in Utah. Thanks to the new direct Delta service from London in to Salt Lake City, it’s never been easier to ski Stateside. The hotel is centrally located, just minutes from the historic Main Street and offers breath-taking views over the mountains.

2. Time poor, budget poor or just unsure?

For nervous first timers, unsure how they will take to full days on the piste, or simply for those on a budget, a short break to the easily accessible resort of Courmayeur in Italy is the ideal choice. With excellent piste and off-piste skiing to suit all abilities, plus fantastic shopping, restaurants and nightlife away from the slopes, this high-altitude resort at the foot of Mont Blanc caters for all.

Experienced time poor skiers can now book short breaks to St Anton, Austria, one of the finest and oldest resorts in the Alps.

3. Don’t delay, book today for school holiday dates

With key dates for Christmas, February half-term and Easter already selling fast in light of the recent snowfall, the advice is to book now to avoid disappointment and to take advantage of early season offers.

4. Escape Europe to beat the plummeting Pound 

Whilst the value of the Pound against the Euro and USD remains low, in Canada, the Pound is still worth a staggering 1.7 CAD, which means holiday spend will go much further.

5. Go all-inclusive

Another way to beat the currency fluctuations and control holiday spend, whilst ensuring great value for money, is to book an all-inclusive ski package. Many now go beyond the traditional inclusive dining options to also include ski tuition and lift passes.

6. Ski longer for less this New Year

As New Year falls on a Sunday this year, a traditional transfer and change over day for ski resorts; many hotels have had to overcome this problem by offering nine night breaks for the price of seven, resulting in two free extra nights over the holiday period for skiers. .

7. Take advantage of opening offers

There are a number of new hotels set to open for the upcoming season including the five-star Taj-I-Mah in Les Arcs. By taking advantage of the early opening rates, skiers can enjoy top-notch accommodation and the opportunity to experience the hottest new hangouts, without the premium prices.

www.skisolutions.com

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Picture Credit: lukas schlagenhauf flickr.com/photos/132252811@N07/31140742346 sunset above the fog via photopin.com

Let it snow . . .

WAKE up this New Year to the fresh Alpine air in Italy’s beautiful Madonna Di Campiglio region, Switzerland or France?

Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy: seven nights at the three-star Hotel Touring on a half board basis over New Year from £1,455 per person. A charming, family run hotel offering breathtaking views and direct access to the nearest Belvedere blue run.

Flims Laax, Switzerland: seven nights over New Year staying at the four-star Sunstar Alpine Hotel Flims on a bed and breakfast basis from £1,330 per person. Situated in a stunning Art Nouveau style building, constructed over 100 years ago, it is located on the edge of the forest near Lake Cauma.

Five-star Christmas Val d’Isère, France: seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation during Christmas staying at the five-star Hotel Le Blizzard from £2,400 per person. This luxurious chalet style property features a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub and restaurant.

www.skisolutions.com

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