How the profits from contraband helped build a ski resort - Lisa Young sets off on Ischgl’s duty-free trail
Rarely have the proceeds of criminal activity been put to such noble use – at least that will be the view of skiers and boarders. Smuggling was the game and it was very popular indeed in the years after the Second World War when luxuries were in short supply in the remote Paznaun Valley in the western part of Tirol.
Crystal Ski Holidays has added the Austrian resort of Hopfgarten and Drei Zinnen in the Italian Dolimites to its programme for winter 2019/20.
PHOTO: SkiWelt-Hopfgarten/Christian Kapfinger
Part of the huge SkiWelt area, one of Austria’s three biggest ski regions with more than 285km of piste, the traditional Austrian village of Hopfgarten is just over an hour’s transfer from Innsbruck and only an hour and a half from Salzburg.
Austria’s Kaunertal glacier will unveil a new ‘Funifor’ style cable car this autumn that has been designed to cope with the thawing of the glacier it provides access to.
The new Falginjochbahn lift will cope with the thawing of the glacier
A spokesman from the area said: “Due to the glacier retreat of the last decades, the area of the Weißseeferner has changed a lot. Glaciological and geological surveys also point to the expected future changes in this area. In order to cope with this imminent change in terrain, a type of lift was chosen that can overcome large spans with a maximum of two support tower, is wind-stable and occupies as little space as possible.”
A new season pass has gone on sale in North America that aims to make skiing much more affordable. The new, multi-resort ski pass, called the Indy Pass, will provide two day lift tickets for each area, a total of 68 days, at 34 independently owned resorts for $199.
by Tom White
LUXURY chalet operators Bramble Ski and Haute Montagne have doubled their property portfolio in the French resort of Méribel for the coming season with the inclusion of two more chalets. The starting price for seven nights is a cool €20,990.
THEY say there is no such things as a free lunch writes Skier & Snowboarder magazine editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin – and this was the case when I was invited to sample the fantastic food on offer through Huski, the company that delivers delicious meals prepared in the French Alps direct to your ski accommodation.
SKI 2 is offering Adventure Ski Weeks in Italy for youngsters who might think that they are too old for ski school.
Champoluc specialist ski tour operator Ski 2 is running the courses to those who ski very good parallel and are looking some high energy ski tuition.
Sunday 24 March 2019 marked the 75th anniversary of the real ‘Great Escape’ and several special events and memorials have been held on the site of the former German Prisoner of War camp which is now part of Poland.
VORARLBERG ticks all the boxes for winter magic – perfect slopes and runs for skiers and free riders in state-of-the art ski resorts. There are also quiet trails for those in search of peace and tranquillity, entertaining programmes for families, and quaint villages that are pleasantly small in size.
KATY DARTFORD found that ‘skinning up’ had a whole new meaning when she visited SalzburgerLand in Austria
I’m sweating out what I’m sure is pure Austrian schnapps. But just a few more meters and I’ll be rewarded with views across Salzburgerland’s Grossarl Valley and – of course – lunch on the summit of the Filzmooshörndl at 2,189 meters, followed by a mouthwatering untracked descent.
Club Med opened the doors to its impressive new resort in the French Alps, Les Arcs Panorama at the start of this season which has added another 433 rooms for guests during the winter and summer months. The opening celebrations were attended by Team GB Winter Olympic snowboarders Jenny Jones and Billy Morgan.
PHOTO: TVB Paznaun-Ischgl
THE snowstorms have cleared and revealed Superheroes on the sunny, snowy slopes of Ischgl, in the Austrian Tirol. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman will preside over Ischgl until the Spring thaw – thanks to the 26th annual Shapes In White competition, which was implemented due to the abundance of snow in this special snow pocket of the Alps.
Innsbruck is a special place to visit during the festive season says SUE FREEMAN who took full advantage of the shopping and skiing on offer
The Swarovski tree at the Christmas market in Innsbruck
TODAY we were ladies who lunch. Later we would be ladies who shopped in the Christmas markets. The next day we would be ladies who ski. Not a bad programme for a pre-season trip to the magical Tirolean city of Innsbruck, bound on all sides by snow-covered slopes looking very glittery and festive.
ACTION Outdoors has launched two new programs for anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 – that heavily discounts the cost of a normal all-inclusive ski holiday package across 10 different resorts in the French Alps and a Youth Program – specially designed for 16 and 17 year olds that can enjoy an autonomous trip away from home under supervision.
SERRE Chevalier, which lies in the largest ski area in the Southern French Alps, with 40 hectares of pistes set amidst larch forests, opens in December with three new attractions – writes Briony Key
The list of ‘other’ activities you can enjoy in a ski resort, other than skiing and snowboarding, seems to grow longer every year. Last season Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin witnessed two of the more unusual ones in Les 2 Alpes
by Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin
RESORTS have many different names for it – fresh tracks, first tracks, first lift, early birds – the list is fairly extensive. But what they all have in common is that getting up with the lark to hit the slopes while they are empty and untracked is really rather special.
PROMOTION
If you are looking for an airport transfer this season, Whiterides can help. The company offers a very competitive, friendly and professional transfer service.
With over 10 years’ experience in the industry and a huge return client base, Whiterides says you can rest assured you will be in safe hands on route to your ski holiday.
Morzine has something for everyone, from miles of tree-lined slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers to more technical for the advanced.
Alpine Elements has a wide selection of accommodation: From the Hotel Les Dents Blanches, a charming little hotel in a great location, to the Premium Plus Chalet Austin, a new luxury chalet with elegant interior, hot tub and incredible views. All their Christmas holidays include festive meals with all the trimmings!
No matter what you’re looking for from your next ski holiday Morzine ticks all the boxes, be sure to book early for the best price. For more info click here
The French resort of Les Gets provides excellent skiing in a traditional, friendly and welcoming environment.
Chalet 1066 manages 33 chalets and apartments, from economy to luxury, in the village which forms part of the massive Franco/Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area.