News
PHOTO: © Verbier 4Vallées
Verbier’s ski season will come to a close in style with the Ultime Session, an end-of-season tradition that this year extends over two days for the first time.
Taking place on 25 and 26 April, at the Snowpark de la Chaux, the Ultime Session brings together high-energy snow sports, live entertainment and a festival-style atmosphere on the mountain.
Rachel Ifans heads to the Aravis mountains to find out more about just why biathlon is so popular in France – and to have a go herself.
If you’ve only just heard of biathlon, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The winter sport made the headlines perhaps more than any other Olympic discipline during the 2026 Games in Milano Cortina – and not always for the reasons you might expect.
Photo: © Marina Kokkelink Office de Tourisme de Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Peak Retreats, the UK’s only employee-owned ski holiday company, is enhancing its winter ski holiday programme with the addition of authentic French resort Pralognan-la-Vanoise.
Pralognan was chosen for its warm, traditional village, strong appeal for families and beginners and excellent value for money.
PHOTO: valgardena.it, Diego Moroder
Val Gardena will be hosting one of the winter’s sporting highlights on 28 and 29 March when Seceda will once again become the stage for the Südtirol Gardenissima – the longest giant slalom in the world.
Whistler turned 60 this winter and it’s 45 years since Blackcomb opened.
To understand what that actually means, and what six decades feels like from inside the mountain, Katy Dartford met up with Peter Smart, Owner at Extremely Canadian.
Rachel Ifans heads to France on a mother/son ski break to try out the digital ski coach Carv 2.
Having heard about a new digital ski instructor that would allegedly get me carving in no time, I headed to Megève on a mother/son ski break, attracted by the fact we could try out the clever new technology without having to buy it first.
PHOTO: courtesy of Vail Resorts, Sarah McLear
In a major step to shape the future of skiing and snowboarding, Vail Resorts is doubling down on accessibility with new pricing for Gen Z and young travellers. Skiers and riders aged 13 to 30 can now purchase the 2026/27 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass for 20% less than standard pricing.
Skiing and snowboarding may look effortless when you watch experienced riders carving down a mountain, but anyone who has clicked into bindings knows the truth – these sports demand strength, balance, coordination, endurance and mental focus.
Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin looks at how new laws and existing regulation are making the use of open fireplaces a hot topic this season.
There is something very appealing about relaxing over a drink with friends, or having a romantic evening with your partner, in front of a roaring log fire in your ski chalet after a day on the slopes.
With the impact of snowsports TV coverage from Italy, the amazing snow conditions enjoyed this half term and some incredible deals for February 2027, demand for skiing on peak dates next year is high.
Our Spring edition is now online packed with inspiring stories, gear reviews, resort guides and everything snow lovers need before hitting the slopes.
In this latest edition we feature Les Arcs’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and how it is shaping the future of sustainable tourism.
Today (10 February), leading global ski brand Helly Hansen will celebrate the fifth annual International Ski Patrol Day (ISPD). Established to recognise the incredible work of ski patrollers globally, ISPD encourages communities worldwide to show their thanks on and off the mountain.
SkiWeekends, the specialist short break and flexible ski tour operator, has re-scheduled its normal programme for one week in March to allow guests the chance to book the new Premier Ski Festival in Les Gets – an event dedicated purely for first-time skiers and snowboarders.
Save the date for 28 and 29 March 2026 as Volcom Spot to Spot returns to Avoriaz for its explosive 6th edition, bringing two days of all-terrain challenges, good vibes, riding and partying to one of the resort’s most iconic playgrounds.
Cortina d’Ampezzo. Photo by Betty Subrizi on Unsplash
By Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are being held in Italy, from 6 to 22 February with Milano (Milan) and the popular ski holiday destination of Cortina d’Ampezzo serving as the two core hubs for the competitions. The Games will include more than a dozen winter sports over 17 days involving athletes from all over the world.
On Wednesday during Stage 52, the Olympic Torch will pass through Val Gardena.
The selected torchbearers will start at 8am in Ortisei, at the “Lokomotive” on Plaza dla Stazion, and proceed through the pedestrian area.
With spring fast approaching, high‑altitude resorts across Europe and North America offer reliable snow, longer days and sunshine‑filled slopes for an Easter getaway.
Whether you’re travelling as a family or seeking reliable runs, Easter provides the ideal combination of great snow conditions and a relaxed late‑season atmosphere.
PHOTO: © M. Giacometti Le Grand Bornand Tourisme
Having enjoyed a huge snowfall sweeping across the Alps recently, the region is enjoying incredible conditions for skiers.
OVO Network is making it more affordable to take advantage of the fresh snow thanks to its latest offers from partner chalets.
Free upgrade to Paradiski lift passes
Book a stay in Les Arcs or Peisey Vallandry and get a Paradiski Essential 6 or 7 day adult or child pass for the price of a Classic pass (excludes family passes). The Essential Pass gives skiers access to the whole Paradiski area plus extras like express lanes and free entry to the ice cave. Applies to stays on the weeks 21/03/2026, 04/04/2026 and 11/04/2026.
PHOTO: © Kitzbühel Tourismus
Long known for its legendary ski races and storybook feel, Kitzbühel continues to prove that it’s much more than a traditional ski resort. Recently named Austria’s Best Ski Resort for the 13th consecutive year, the Tyrolean town offers a winter experience that combines world-class skiing, sporting events and a lively cultural calendar.