Alpine Elements Community

We have just launched our new Alpine Elements community site which is a portal for skiers and snowboarders to get up to date weather, snow reports, ski news, views and resort reports.

The site will also host a diary from each of our resort managers and chalet girls and boys about regular in-resort goings on and holiday or resort information on the run up to your holiday!

The kind of "inside knowledge" that we hope to publish will serve as an invaluable guide to your up-coming ski or snowboard holiday and of course you may sign up as a contributor if you would like to take part in our community site!

Best resort for advanced skiers?

According to the Telegraph, Chamonix in France is the best resort for advanced skiers, and that every passionate skier should visit the resort at least once in their lifetime.

Well I would have to agree! But what exactly constitutes an "advanced" skier?

This is a skill level that many people adopt after only a few weeks skiing, having grasped the rudimentary principles of carving their first turns on flat corduroy.

But what about putting carve turns in on the real McCoy - powder snow. Yes it is vastly different from flat piste, but I would add that one can still have a fantastic experience of Chamonix with only basic powder snow experience. And I have seen many novice skiers achieve this only after a few weeks skiing. So please don’t be put off by Cham' as many people are. It is a fantastic experience to ski such a magnificent resort and with a guide - regardless of experience you can have a fantastic time

I would say from intricate experience of Chamonix that if you have 8 weeks skiing and can just about link a turn or three in a foot of powder snow on a moderate descent, then you should be fairly well equipped to deal with some of the more regular off piste trails in Chamonix such as the Vallee Blanche. Of course - always take a guide which will heighten the experience and not cost a fortune, especially if there are 4 of you.

Snowmax - spells the end of Bad Snow years?

Ski resorts have been dogged by "no snow" years throughout the 60's, 70's and 1980's, and so
bad snow years are no new phenomena. However times have changed and artificial snow has allowed ski resorts to boost their base layers and keep the pistes topped up all season long.

The "bad snow years" are therefore not noticed so much anymore, and things often look exactly the same above 1500 metres in a mild winter if the resort has adequate canon cover which is deemed 40 to 50% of their terrain. As an example, high altitude ski resorts with good canon cover (such as Tignes) didnt get noticeably affected in our last "bad snow year" which was 3 years ago. To play it safe then most French ski resorts have this kind of cover in place

A popular Protein
Artificial or "canoned snow" is also denser than the real thing and so it lasts longer too. Added to the mix is a component known as "Snowmax" which is a protein that provides a nucleate for ice crystals enabling freezing at temperatures around -2 to 3C. In other words it allows canons to create snow in warmer conditions. York International say that Snomax is completely safe.

Interesting Fact - it takes 1 metre cubed of water to make 2 metres cubed of snow!

Artificial Snow is now more reliable than ever

Most premium resorts in the world have already invested heavily in snow canons. Snow canons do indeed pump out artificial snow and help bolster levels on connecting runs as well as the main pistes. With or without climate change - their use helps extend the ski area and a resort's canon coverage should certainly form part of your criteria for choosing a ski resort this winter.

What is a Snow Canon?
In laymans terms - Snow Canons create snow by spraying water from a jet in freezing conditions - this water is pumped down from artificial reservoirs in the mountains which have been made specifically for snow production.

Denser, longer lasting snow!
Snow Canons sound like a lame attempt at re-creating the real thing, but it's all good news really. First of all - you will notice little difference in snow quality when skiing on piste and second - the snow they provide is denser than the real thing and therefore lasts longer too!

Resorts with good Canon cover
One of the many reasons to steer clear of the lesser known or Eastern Block resorts (e.g. Bulgaria) is their limited provision or non-provision of snow canons. Add to this their poor snowfall records and one really has to be sceptical of their future as suitable ski areas.

We would recommend that you try the more "premium" resorts only, and don't take a chance! Try reorts in teh French Alps, and those with the best records and highest % age of canons are Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Les Gets. Afterall what could be worse that arriving in a resort littered with green patches and only half the area open because the lower connecting runs are closed?

Ski Insurance Policies falling short of requirements

Many readers might (or might not) be so surprised to hear that skiing is often covered on their summer holiday travel insurance policies! It is also common to find skiing covered on home insurance and other deals that may have come with ones bank account or annual policy

Nevertheless some policies are often lacking in the correct department, without all the eventual scenarios covered for. Mark Mason, Senior Manager from Insure and Go warns that skiers without adequate cover this season "could be hit in the pocket if they suffer an injury, as they may have to pay all costs themselves".

Our advice is to read the small print and look out for areas of cover such as Heli rescue, repatriation, cancellation and Off-pistecover. Even if you do not intend to ski off piste - you can be amazed at what a rescue service might deem as "Off Piste" if there are hefty charges involved. And of course - always ski Off Piste with a guide!