Skiing The Alps.com News

MORE SNOW BUT COLD!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:51:50 GMT

AUSTRIA RECEIVES A "DUMP" (08/03/10)

Fresh snow in Austria over the weekend, and very cold weather, has transformed the ski conditions pretty much everywhere in the country. Powder can be found off piste at most resorts and on-piste conditions are great. (reports the SCGB)

10cm of fresh snow was reported at Kitzbuhel (45/190cm) over the course of Sunday 7th March. The Ski Club rep in Kitzbuhel at the moment said there was fantastic snow both on and off piste, which is a real transformation from what it was last week. The cold weather means the snow should stay in great condition for a while yet. Cold and snowy weather is expected all week.

Great conditions can also be found at Lech (75/195cm). Plenty of powder can be found off piste, especially higher up where it also snowed last week. It is very cold however, around -11°C at the base and even colder further up so be sure to wrap up warm.
France
The Skli Club rep at Morzine reports 5cm of fresh snow (65/210cm) on Sunday 7th March. This helped improve their conditions after the very mild weather last week. Some of the lower pistes are pretty hard still after the melting and then refreezing last week but on the whole conditions are very good. 85 of their 86 lifts were running on Monday 8th March so there is plenty of skiing available on generally quiet slopes.
It didn’t snow very much in the Paradiski resort of Les Arcs (93/210cm). The last snow they reported was on Thursday 4th March but that was only a dusting. Most of the pistes are very well packed and hard, especially at the bottom. The upper pistes are in fairly good condition but they could use more snow. Fresh snow is forecast on Wednesday 10th March, which should help to improve things.
Switzerland
Up to 20cm of fresh snow fell in some places over the weekend.
One of the places to receive 20cm of fresh snow was Murren (87/221cm). It fell on Sunday 7th March and awesome skiing can be found all over the area. The low temperatures, around -10°C, mean the snow is in superb condition and there is plenty of it. The best conditions can be found on the lower half of the mountain where there is less wind.
Davos (52/157cm) offers similarly good conditions. 15cm of fresh snow fell on Saturday 6th March and the Ski Club rep said skiing on the Sunday was excellent all over the mountain. Cold weather should make the snow great all week.
Italy
Meanwhile, the SCGB reports 15cm of fresh snow fell on the Milky Way ski area in Italy on Sunday. This means there is loads of excellent skiing to be found at Sauze d’Oulx (140/180cm), Sestriere (140/180cm) and Claviere (120/180cm). The weather was very bad on Sunday, with several lift closures due to the high winds and poor visibility. It does mean that skiing this week should be amazing with superb conditions both on and off piste.
It didn’t snow everywhere in Italy though. Madonna di Campiglio (80/151cm) hasn’t reported any significant snow since 26th February, so their pistes are fairly hard now. They really need some fresh snow to improve things and the good news is that they have lots of it forecast on Wednesday 10th March.

Currency Guide

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:50:07 GMT

Skiing-The-Alps.com is now pleased to be able to offer the latest exchange rates for the following European countries. These will be updated regularly to ensure you have the most accurate information when choosing you ski destination:

Country	Currency	Amount / £
Euro Zone	Euro	1.07
Switzerland	Swiss Franc	1.54

Last updated: 09/03/2010

The above are to be used as a guide only. There may be variations due to currency fluctuations.

Exchange Rates provided by Dover Eurochange.

MAMMOTH SCULPTING TASK

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:52:09 GMT

WATCH OUT FOR MAMMOTHS AT GALTUR!

MAMMOTH TASK COMPLETED IN GALTÜR

An abundance of snow made it easy for a team of snow sculptors to complete the mammoth task of creating an icon in the snow at Silvapark, the ski area above the village of Galtür in Tirol, Austria.

The subject was a mammoth and he was created in just four days by a five-strong team.

Mammut is an impressive 6m high and 12m long and commemorates the resort's support from the Swiss-based Mammut company which makes and sells snow and outdoor sports clothing and equipment.

The village of Galtür is at the head of the Paznaun valley in Tirol, high in the Silvretta Mountains, and is a haven for skiers and boarders with the winter season going until 18 April.

Photo: Courtesy of: TVB Paznaun - Ischgl

MARCH OFFERS AT OBERGURGL

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:23:41 GMT

OUTSTANDING OFFERS AT HOTEL EDELWEISS and GURGL

March Is A Month Of Great Snow - And Sunshine

2 nights including 2 day lift ticket
Example March:

Doorstep Skiing in March (01.03.2010 – 27.03.2010)
renovated double room standard with shower,WC, TV, telephone, balcony, south facing view, Including 2 nights, half board and 2 day lift ticket.

2 nights
Edelweiss & Gurgl Culinary Delights with breakfast buffet and 5-course dinner menu
full use of our 'Glacier SPA'
including 2-day-ski-ticket for Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
wellness basket in your room (bath robes, slippers, towels)
free parking

Double room Standard:	€ 343,-- per person incl. 2 nights and 2 day lift ticket
Double room Superior:	€ 385,-- per person incl. 2 nights and 2 day lift ticket
Single room:	€ 385,-- incl. 2 nights and 2 day lift ticket

7 nights including 6 day lift ticket
Example March:

Doorstep Skiing in March (01.03.2010 – 27.03.2010)
renovated double room standard with shower,WC, TV, telephone, balcony, south facing view, Including 7 nights, half board and 6 day lift ticket.

7 nights
Edelweiss & Gurgl Culinary Delights with breakfast buffet and 5-course dinner menu
full use of our 'Glacier SPA'
including 6-day-ski-ticket for Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

Double room Standard:	€ 1.122,-- per person incl. 7 nights and 6 day lift ticket
Double room Superior:	€ 1.136,-- per person incl. 7 nights and 6 day lift ticket
Single room:	€ 1.269,-- incl. 7 nights and 6 day lift ticket

Obergurgl Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl - A-6456 Obergurgl
Tel.: +43 (0)5256 / 6223 . Fax: +43 (0)5256 / 6449
info@edelweiss-gurgl.com . www.edelweiss-gurgl.com

PACKAGE OF SPRING SURPRISES

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:31:32 GMT

SPRING SURPRISES IN CARINTHIA'S NASSFELD

Southern Austria's largest ski area, Nassfeld, has come up with a package of 'spring surprises' to make skiing that little bit more affordable for families.

The treats range from free ski storage at the area's main gondola station to free or dramatically discounted ski and boarding packs for children including lift passes, lessons and rental equipment.

Adults are able to test the latest skis and boards free of charge, and those with their own equipment are being offered a free ski service at certain times.

Nassfeld, in the sunny province of Carinthia and among the top ten of Austrian resorts, has a huge amount of skiing and a state-of-the-art lift network. The skiing is right on the frontier with Italy and offers some cross-border adventures.

Based on the old village of Hermagor, the resort also has on-mountain accommodation, with much of it ski-in, ski-out.

More details on Carinthia - 'The Sunny Side of The Alps' - on www.carinthia.at

Fuel Price Guide

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:47:10 GMT

Skiing-The-Alps.com is now pleased to be able to offer the latest fuel prices for the following European countries. These have been converted into Euros (except the UK which is still £s Sterling).

The UK has STILL got one of the highest fuel prices in Europe! TAX ON FUEL IS NOW DOUBLE THAT OF OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES!

UPDATED: 08/02/2010

Country	Unleaded	Diesel
Austria (€)	1.14	1.05
Belgium (€)	1.34	1.05
France (€)	1.32	1.20
Germany (€)	1.38	1.18
Great Britain (£)	1.12	1.14
Holland (€)	1.50	1.14
Italy (€)	1.32	1.24
Luxemberg (€)	1.11	0.92
Switzerland (€)	1.61	1.66

The above are to be used as a guide only. There may be variations due to currency fluctuations.

* Quoted in Swiss Francs
As of 1st January 2002, individual European currencies have "disappeared" and the EURO has taken over, except Switzerland which is not part of the Euro zone!

ALICIA KEYS WILL PERFORM AT ISCHGL

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:00:52 GMT

IT'S ALICIA KEYS FOR ISCHGL'S HIGH ENERGY END OF SEASON CONCERT

Alicia Keys is to perform Ischgl's legendary season closing concert at the resort's stunning open air mountain top arena, it was announced today (Friday 8 January).

The US star - whose album The Elements of Freedom is riding high in the UK charts - will perform at Idalp at 2,300m on Saturday 1 May on the penultimate day of the 09-10 ski season.

The lunchtime concert is expected to attract a crowd of 20,000 skiers and boarders and wrap up the resort's five month-long season, which was launched at the end of November by fellow American Katy Perry, who chose Ischgl as the location to introduce her parents to boyfriend Russell Brand - and it is now reported that the couple became engaged at New Year.

Alicia and Katy join a glittering list of stars to have performed at Ischgl's Top of The Mountain concerts, which have launched and closed every winter since the 94-95 season, with recent acts including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Lionel Richie, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Gabriella Cilmi and The Pussycat Dolls.

Grammy award winning singer-songwriter-pianist Alicia has had chart successes with hits such as Doesn't Mean Anything, No One and If I Ain't Got You.

The concert stage is constructed in a natural bowl at the top of the Fimba and Silvretta gondola lifts with the stunning backdrop of the Silvretta mountains. Entrance is by valid lift ticket. An adult day pass for 1 May is Euro 75 and a three day pass covering the final weekend is Euro 108.

Special packages are available from the reservation team at the Paznaun-Ischgl Tourist Office on incoming@paznaun-ischgl.com or through the resort website www.ischgl.com - with prices for 7 nights bed and breakfast accommodation plus 6 day VIP skipass from Euro 397.50 per person.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AT ST ANTON

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:30:40 GMT

ST ANTON’S NEW RENDL-BAHN OPENS

Major developments are currently underway in St Anton on the new Rendlbahn, with the opening still on track for December 2009. The key improvement is that the base station has been moved to a new location close to the Galzigbahn. The new 8-seater gondola, with heated seats, will be able to carry up to 2000 people an hour in only seven and a half minutes, making it over a third faster than the original 1974 Rendlbahn. Linking both the Galzigbahn and the Rendlbahn from a central location in the heart of the resort is a great triumph for skiers and boarders wanting to access the Rendl slopes. For more information visit www.stantonamarlberg.com

Be Visible - By Law!

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:35:54 GMT

when travelling within Austria.

All motorists must wear the waistcoat in case of vehicle break down, when stopping in the middle of country lanes, whenever a warning triangle is used and in case of poor visibility. On motorways and dual carriageways it must be worn whenever leaving the car, however not when stopping on allocated parking places.

Failure to comply with these rules will incur a hefty fine, however for a maximum of three months from introduction; the Austrian authorities will be tolerant towards visitors from the UK and Ireland.

Clothing guidelines:
Essential is a reflective, fluorescent colour (yellow, orange or red) in conjunction with white reflective stripes. Logos and any writing should not dominate. The waistcoats must comply with the European standard EN471, visible on a sewn-in label.

For more information, please call our Holiday Information Centre on 0845 1010 1818 or send an e-mail to holiday@austria.info

Travel Safely Through Snow and Ice

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:38:09 GMT

The law throughout Alpine regions of Europe is VERY strict and insists that snow chains MUST be carried in the vehicle when travelling on mountain roads. This even applies to 4 x 4 vehicles and how often have I found myself arguing with owners of these powerful vehicles who claim they can go anywhere, anytime, without chains! That maybe but the law quite clearly states that chains MUST be in the vehicles even if not required. You can be stopped by the police on a mountain road and asked to show them your set of chains. They have the right to turn you around and send you back to the valley if chains are NOT in the vehicle!
Modern snow chains are extremely easy to fit but when selecting the right snow chains for your car it is essential to let the supplier know details oif your vehicle including the tyre size so that the right chains can be supplied. It is also important when purchasing to ensure you are buying a quality chain that will last and not disintergrate at 25mph as you drive along!
The leading manufacturer of quality chains is RUD Chains of Germany whose UK headquarters is at Whitstable in Kent and they have a complete range of car chains with four different fittings.
A NEW product available for the 2009-10 season is the RUDmatic Hybrid which gives perfect instant protection against skidding in wintry weather conditions. It can be easily fitted and is constructed using a combination of textile and metal chain. It is designed so as not to damage wheel rims.
The Rud Chains Centrax is the top-of-the-range model and is no ordinary snow chain. It pulls itself onto the wheel when the vehicle drives off and this chain is suitable for cars with low clearance wheel arches and wide, low profile tyres.
The Disc RUD chain is designed for cars with allow wheels so a robust ring protects the wheel rim and avoids any scratching to the alloy wheel. The Disc is suitable for front and rear-wheel drives and provides very smooth running.
RUD's top of the range conventional snow chains meet the hgihest demands for traction and the patented chain mesh provides full gripping power at every wheel position. The Kantenspur chain shows its strength under extremely heavy snow conditions and meets the highest expectations for traction performance and quiet running. It is suitable for front and rear-wheel drive vehicles of all sizes.
An ever increasing number of cars now have front-wheel drive and the Easy2Go offers easy fitting to these cars and offers effective protection against wear.
The Grip is RUD's starter model and is an effective snow chain at an extremely attractive price. This simple cable chain provides top quality and easy fitting.
RUD Chains can be contacted at: alan@RUD.co.uk

See how easy the RUD Chains are to fit, even in snowy conditions:

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