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The official magazine of The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead, The UK's leading indoor snow facility, based just 30 minutes outside of Central London.
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Ski On Real Snow All Year Round At The Snow Centre In Hemel Hempstead
HOME OF UK SNOW
TAKE ME HOME TODAY
ISSUE 2 | 2014-2015
Recent innovations in technology means ski equipment is better than it’s ever been before.
Ski boots are much more customizable, as plastic shells can now be heat moulded and shaped to the lumps and bumps in your feet.Have you improved since you bought your current boots? Are they still comfortable making you reluctant to upgrade them?
A pair of custom fitted boots will be more comfortable than you can possibly imagineand give better performance than your old ski boots ever could.
Have your skis seen better days? Or are you still using rental equipment? Skis have now become much more versatile and user friendly helping you to ski in all snow conditions.
If you choose the correct ski shape and ability level, you will see huge changes in your progression and enjoyment.
Come and visit us today to ensure you have the correct advice from experienced equipment specialistsbefore you invest in your next pair of boots and skis.
Bringing you the largest specialist range of skis & boots in the UK and advice and expertise since 1965.We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you.
Custom boot fitting specialists. Ski Industries Of Great Britain official ski testers. “WINNER OF THE WORLD SNOW AWARDS - BEST UK SPECIALIST RETAILER”
FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL
Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP T:020 8848 0040 | E:[email protected] | www.SkiBartlett.com
DOES YOUR EQUIPMENT PERFORM AS WELL AS IT SHOULD...?
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F_210w_297h_Since65_SNOWSURE.pdf 1 27/08/2014 23:15
Recent innovations in technology means ski equipment is better than it’s ever been before.
Ski boots are much more customizable, as plastic shells can now be heat moulded and shaped to the lumps and bumps in your feet.Have you improved since you bought your current boots? Are they still comfortable making you reluctant to upgrade them?
A pair of custom fitted boots will be more comfortable than you can possibly imagineand give better performance than your old ski boots ever could.
Have your skis seen better days? Or are you still using rental equipment? Skis have now become much more versatile and user friendly helping you to ski in all snow conditions.
If you choose the correct ski shape and ability level, you will see huge changes in your progression and enjoyment.
Come and visit us today to ensure you have the correct advice from experienced equipment specialistsbefore you invest in your next pair of boots and skis.
Bringing you the largest specialist range of skis & boots in the UK and advice and expertise since 1965.We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you.
Custom boot fitting specialists. Ski Industries Of Great Britain official ski testers. “WINNER OF THE WORLD SNOW AWARDS - BEST UK SPECIALIST RETAILER”
FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL
Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP T:020 8848 0040 | E:[email protected] | www.SkiBartlett.com
DOES YOUR EQUIPMENT PERFORM AS WELL AS IT SHOULD...?
C
M
Y
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F_210w_297h_Since65_SNOWSURE.pdf 1 27/08/2014 23:15
4 Welcome to The Snow Centre (TSC)
6 Snow Prep Are you ready to session the slopes?
8 Learn to Ski and Snowboard All you need to know about learning
with the Brits
10 The Snow Centre Learning Journey Discover the ski or snowboard
progression steps at The Snow Centre
12 There’s No Career Like a Snow Career Why ‘snow’ work is so much fun!
14 Making the White Stuff Find out how indoor snow is made
16 Everyone Loves a Snow Day How you can sledge all year round
18 Here Come The Girls UK snowboarders follow in Jenny
Jones’ tracks
20 Support for Inner-city Young People on the Rise Discover how snowsports charity, Snow-Camp make a difference to so many young people
22 The Best Ski Resort or Ski Day Choose the right snowy destination for your next trip
Contents
32
39
42
46
16
8THE TEAMPUBLISHED BYIn The Snow, The Snow Studio, Kings Lane, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0QY
On Behalf OfThe Snow Centre, St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 9NH0844 770 7227
PUBLISHERDominic Killinger
EDITORPatrick Thorne
CONTENT EDITOR & WRITERJenny Bletcher (Senior Marketing Executive, The Snow Centre)
CONTENT CO-ORDINATORDebbie Gabriel
COPY EDITOR Nick Jones
SALES & MARKETING MANAGER, THE SNOW CENTREZoe Green, [email protected]
MARKETING EXECUTIVE, THE SNOW CENTRERebecca Hicks, [email protected]
DESIGNERGudrun Jobst, yotedesign.com
PHOTOGRAPHERSRoss Woodhall, rosswoodhall.comMax Presky, [email protected] Motionstoppers Photography’
© Copyright 2014
No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or by any means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.
Printed in the United Kingdom
28 Freestyle: The Craze, The Tricks and The Riders With parks, half pipes and boardercross courses, the freestyle scene is growing!
30 Better Than Paintball! How a ‘snowy’ outing can prove a great team-building opportunity or group day out!
32 Wacky Races The ‘just for fun’ snow races anyone can enter
34 The Ski World’s Highest Bars
35 Take a Snow Cat Selfie
36 The Diamond of the Alps The resort with all the right ingredients…
39 Sleeping on Snow Swap your apartment for an igloo or snow hotel
41 A Guinness World Record at The Snow Centre
42 A Taste of the Alps Enjoy Alpine food and snowy views
just outside London
44 Double Paralympian Anna Turney Tells All
46 Spectacular Slopes The resorts with the best scenery
50 WIN Snow Prizes You Can’t Buy
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35
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44
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4
Welcome to the second edition
of The Snow Centre’s (TSC)
magazine, SnowSure. It’s
been an exciting year so far
and as you read on, we look
forward to bringing you the
latest news from the ‘UK
snow scene’.
After the success of Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympics there
can be no doubt that people have been inspired to try
snowsports. Here, at The Snow Centre (the UK’s newest
indoor real-snow skiing and snowboarding facility!),
we’ve been inundated with lesson enquiries and have
seen a lot of people returning to winter sports having not
participated for years.
On the back of Jenny Jones winning her bronze
at Sochi, we have seen plenty more women trying
snowboarding at The Snow Centre, too. It’s also been
great to find so many children wishing to try tricks at
our freestyle parks and become so-called “fridge kids”!
I am proud that we sponsor some of our successful
Team GB Winter Olympians and, as we highlight in this
edition of SnowSure, here at The Snow Centre we really
do support and encourage everyone from beginners
through to elite performers.
We celebrated The Snow Centre’s 5th birthday in May
2014, and I was delighted at how many of you joined
in. I am also proud to say that, in celebration,
The Snow Centre and Snowbility broke the Guinness
World Record for the longest consecutive distance
skied in an indoor centre. Led and coordinated by the
additional needs snowsports coaching professionals,
Snowbility, the 250 people involved smashed the record,
and you can read more about the event on page 41.
Looking ahead, The Snow Centre Team are continuing
to develop new snow sessions designed to introduce
new people to snowsports in a way that’s enjoyable,
while also encouraging learning and development.
These include our new Adult or Junior 6 pack of Ski or
Snowboard Lessons, ParkStarz Junior Ski or Snowboard
Freestyle Sessions, or our Burton Riglets Snowboard
Coaching – for youngsters aged 3 and above. You can
find out more about these sessions from Pete Gillespie,
our Head of Snowsports, on page 8 and view our
learning journey on page 10, or hear from some of our
freestyle and snowboard guests on page 28.
Taking ski or boarding lessons before your holiday
continues to be the affordable way to learn and is also
great for building up your confidence so that you can hit
the slopes the moment you arrive and make the most of
your trip abroad. But the insider hints and tips from our
team can really help too. Our revamped website now
includes a learning zone to keep you in the know when
it comes to snow!
WELCOME
55
And in support of The Snow Centre’s Snowsports
School, we also continue to work with various external
providers to offer adults and juniors all kinds of
progression opportunities ranging from race training,
freestyle lessons and coaching for people with additional
needs. These trainers, course providers and clubs are an
integral part of our programme and help us offer a wide
range of snowsports disciplines to as many people as
possible.
More than ever, we’re finding people want to ski and
board all year round! So, it’s no wonder many of you
are making the most of our 160m Main Slope with our
Adult, Junior or Family Lift Passes. And the increase in
numbers of our Summer Monthly Lift Pass guests tells
us you’re not just waiting until a few months before your
winter holiday to get some practice in on your skis or
snowboard.
Finally, we recognise it is all about fun, and I hope each
time you visit The Snow Centre, whether to ski or board,
to learn or practise, or simply to relax with a tasty Alpine
dish or coffee in The Lodge Bar & Kitchen, I hope you
have a great visit!
Thank you for your feedback about our first SnowSure
Magazine issue; it’s very much appreciated. Please feel
free to email me directly with any comments, ideas or
feedback for 2014/15 at [email protected].
Ian BrownManaging Director, The Snow Centre (TSC)
6
Snow PrepWarm Up Your Ski Legs! Lucy Tape, Sports Massage Therapist and TSC’s Slope Manager“The Snow Centre’s a great excuse to
get on the snow before you go away,
but it has a lot to offer all year round
too. It’s good to start your first ski or
snowboard lessons with plenty of time
to build up your confidence before you
head to the mountains. In fact, even
the most accomplished snow lovers get
more from their holidays when they continue to
ski or board regularly.
Keeping your ski legs warm with a weekly
session at The Snow Centre can, not
only keep your muscles in shape and
improve your skills; it also bodes
well for comfortably worn-in boots,
and generally encourages a more
enjoyable time on your holiday.
TSC’s Summer Monthly Passes
are a great way to make use
of the slopes from May to
September, and Tuesday
morning’s Early Bird Lift Passes
offer a quieter slope.”
Fit For The Slopes! Dwayne McConnell, Snowboard Instructor and Personal Trainer“Whether you’re snowboarding or skiing, the
experience on the slopes is physical, so the fitter
you are, the better! If you’re at altitude in the
mountains, the air will be thinner, so your lungs
will be working overtime and your heart will have
to keep a good blood supply to your vital organs
as well as all the muscle groups you’re using; so a
good level of fitness will prove beneficial.
And if you’re a first timer, you will probably
need to participate in more body preparation
than those already familiar with the movements
involved in snowsports. It’s more likely to be
beginners that end up hitting muscular fatigue on
day two of their ski holiday!
There are steps you can take to ensure you
enjoy every minute of your time on the slopes,
including getting regular exercise, targeting the
muscles used during snowsports and eating
appropriately! In the weeks leading up to a
snowsports trip, you should be fuelling yourself
with high-energy foods and following a personal
training plan. An exercise programme is not
generic to all, but activities such as running and
swimming are great for building stamina and
cardiovascular strength,
which you will need
at altitude. Resistance
training that will target
some of the muscles
used in snowsports can
include lunges, squats,
reverse curls and
lumbar rotations, and
remember, it’s important
to warm up, cool down
and stretch.”
Doug Clayton, Assistant Head of TSC’s
Snowsports School
Dwayne McConnell, Snowboard
Instructor and Personal Trainer
Lucy Tape, Sports Massage Therapist and TSC’s Slope Manager
Snow Skills At The Ready! Doug Clayton, Assistant Head of TSC’s Snowsports School“Putting the groundwork in before you go on a
ski trip can really maximise the fun you have on
the slope! At The Snow Centre, skill preparation
could take the shape of starting from scratch on
TSC’s lesson programme or a Rusty Refresher
Lesson to refine your skills. Whether it’s learning
the basics or working on high-speed carving, it’s
worth getting an instructor to help develop the
skills that allow you to tackle far more of what the
mountains have to offer.
For hints and tips without a lesson,
The Snow Centre’s website has a Learning Zone
with videos and articles on all things
snowsports. Whether
you’re planning a
trip to the Alps or
a session at
The Snow Centre, it’s
definitely worth checking
out the inspiring material
on the Learning Zone to
get some ideas on how to
progress.”
7
Snow Prep Once the snow’s settled, or when you’re just weeks from your annual ski or snowboard trip, you’ll wonder, have you left enough time to prepare your ski legs, your winter wardrobe and more? SnowSure caught up with a few faces from the UK snowsports industry who explained why “snow prep” starts long before the winter chill.
What To Wear! Darren Wilcox, Columbia“It’s worth taking the time to plan your mountain
wardrobe. When you only have one travel bag for all
your ski stuff, you have to choose the essentials.
A good base layer is a must! It’s the first layer of
comfort and you’re wearing it all day, maybe all
week! It also needs to do so much: keep you warm,
dry and look good. Columbia’s Omni-Heat is my
favourite; the extra elastin gives it a great fit.
The other thing is a jacket; I find the pocket
positioning on a jacket is critical! There is so much
I need to carry on the slopes; phone, GoPro and
all the other essentials. I’m not one for a rucksack
unless it’s a backcountry day, so I like to have a
pocket for everything!
You should also consider style; just when you think
they’ve designed everything, a
new look comes out. The classic
ski look is still there – sharp lines,
athletic fit and simple colours – but
the new trend of ‘skiers looking
like snowboarders’ and vice versa
is ‘uber’ cool too.
To improve your on-slope
experience, there’s a lot of
snowsports technology to look
out for, from MP3s and speakers,
electric heating elements and
built-in body protection. We’ve
still not seen a ‘Back To The
Future’ style self-drying jacket, but
developments have come in warmth to weight ratio;
it’s great that we can be so much warmer wearing
less!”
Equipped For The Snow! Luke McCarthy, Ski Boot Technician at Snow & Rock“When it comes to skis, poles, boots, boards and
helmets you can either rent or buy. Renting in resort
is great for beginners, but as you progress you
may find that the equipment is not suited to your
needs. If you’re looking for comfort, precision, fit
and consistency, then buying is definitely the right
choice.
Renting or buying, if you’re just starting out, you
need a soft snowboard, skis and boots. Soft ski
boots guide you into a forward flexing position and
soft snowboard boots and a board with plenty of
flex will make it easier to
manoeuvre. When choosing
your skis, those that are
narrow with a wider tip and
tail will aid in turn initiation.
As you advance in both
skiing and boarding, you may
find stiffer equipment more
responsive.
Whatever your ability, boots
need to be fitted to your foot; be warned, ski and
snowboard boots are not sized like shoes! At Snow
& Rock we perform a ‘shell check’ to measure the
space around your foot within a boot, without a
liner. Fitting a custom insole is always the best way
to make your boot more comfortable and improve
performance.
As for helmets, how important is your head? Again
it’s all about fit, weight and materials. Some helmets
are made from multi-impact materials and others
are single impact. Speak to an in-store snowsports
professional for advice before purchasing – this will
save you money!”
Snow Admin Greg Price, Ski Instructor“When choosing the perfect destination for a ski or
snowboard holiday, you should look carefully at what
your requirements are; is the resort family-friendly,
has it got a blend of easy and hard runs, are the on-
mountain facilities good, including toilets, restaurants
and lifts, and finally does the resort have a good
après scene?
Decide what your budget is and factor this into the
equation! Sometimes on first inspection self-catering
appears to be cheaper, but if there’s a group of you,
a lot of effort can be spent agreeing on a restaurant. I
would opt for half board.
For first-time or infrequent skiers, a package deal
including lift passes, ski hire and tuition is probably
the best option. As a regular ski trip organiser, I’ve
established a good relationship with hotels, hire
companies and transfer specialists, and have been
able to come up with some competitive deals in
my favourite European resort Solden. Solden has a
range of slopes for all abilities, it’s ‘snow sure’, due
to the twin glaciers, has excellent restaurants and lift
systems, and a very lively night life.”
Darren Wilcox, Columbia
For more information on prepping for your
trip to the snow, visit The Learning Zone
at thesnowcentre.com/learningzone.
And with plenty of time for your ‘Snow
Prep’, you can be sure of a smoother run
down the slopes!
8
Why Learn With The Brits?Whether you’re planning your first skiing holiday,
your friends have recently caught the snowboarding
bug or maybe it’s just been a while since you hit the
slopes, British ski and snowboard schools can make a
considerable difference to your learning experience.
And if you’re looking for an instructor that can
communicate more than with the token “Bend zee
kneez,” then learning on your home turf can prove
a must!
The real-snow, indoor snowsports facility
The Snow Centre (TSC) offers exactly the kind of
“snow school” experience many adults and children
can only wish for in a resort.
Complete with instructors who not only introduce
you to your chosen snow sport but get you
“mountain ready” with some extra hints and tips,
insider knowledge and details of the trendiest snow
equipment up your sleeve, you’ll be sure to have a
cheerier holiday and spend less time on the nursery
slope following some friendly British instruction at TSC.
The Snow Centre also gives you a chance to
try skiing or snowboarding affordably and with
guaranteed snow conditions. Standing up on any
mountain in unfamiliar boots and being asked to make
your first turn down an icy piste is never ideal; it’s
much better to practise indoors on the soft stuff and
try out your boots when the equipment rentals desk is
just metres away.
With the convenience indoor skiing can offer,
it’s no surprise that The Snow Centre’s instructors
have taught more than a million people to ski and
snowboard since they opened in May 2009, prepping
many for their holidays and simply offering hours of
fun and progression to others.
A Snow School For Every Tom, Dick & Harry!
From beginner to “pro”, it seems The Snow Centre
Team know all about helping everyone get the most
LEARN TO
Pete Gillespie, Head of Snowsports at TSC
9
LEARN TOout of their time on the snow.
Led by Instructor Trainer Pete Gillespie,
The Snow Centre’s Snowsports School is recognised
as a hub for professional training with its own BASI
academy (British Association of Snowsport Instructors).
Offering a range of group and private lessons 7 days
a week for varied abilities, they are continuing to grow
their programme.
“We pride ourselves on delivering a high-quality
snowsports experience, whether it be on skis
or a snowboard, for beginners or accomplished
performers, to adults or juniors,” explains Pete.
“As a team we really value the capability to
differentiate our expectations and coaching
techniques for children and adults of varied ages,
abilities and personalities, providing everyone with the
opportunity to build great skills.
For example, our tailor-made junior level system has
more development steps than our adult programme,
varied session length and we teach children as young
as 3 to ski. Previously, our group snowboard lessons
were available for 7-year-olds and above, but we’ve
recently introduced Burton Riglets, to offer tailored
equipment and coaching to snowboarders as young
as 3; imagine the skills these little ones will enjoy by
the time they’re teenagers!
Continuously developing our Snowsports School
to enhance enjoyment and the learning process is an
ongoing project for us! This year we’ve also added
ParkStarz to our junior programme: a brand new
Freestyle Coaching Lesson, where advanced junior
skiers and snowboarders can learn tricks on jumps
and rails. These sessions are a great accompaniment
to our existing junior clubs, Ignite for advanced
snowboarders and Snowstars for accomplished
skiers.
Comparably our adult snowsports lessons are
available as 1 and a half hour group lessons right up
to full day courses. Furthermore, we offer Freestyle
or Slalom Coaching Sessions, private lessons and a
number of social sessions, such as our 2 Hour Après
Social Lessons or Ladies Morning Lessons, which
include a FREE drink afterwards to give you a real feel
for the term “après ski”!
Our family private lessons prove really popular too,
and we love bringing families together to enjoy the
winter sports we are all so passionate about! Plus, new
for 2014, our 6 Pack of Ski or Snowboard Lessons
offer adults or juniors the opportunity to develop their
skills over a number of lessons, in their own time.
It’s a compliment to our team that so many of our
instructors originally visited as guests and more
have taken their training courses, instructor exams
and developed their professional skills right here at
The Snow Centre. We are fortunate enough to have
some of the best trainers in snowsports living and
breathing The Snow Centre’s Snowsports School,
and we remain today just as excited about the future
of British skiing and snowboarding as the day we
opened.”
To find out more, call 0844 770 7227 or
visit thesnowcentre.com
SKI OR BOARD!
BEEN THERE & DONE IT!Chris Turrell, age 44Chris enjoyed group ski lessons on
The Snow Centre’s Trainer Slope and later
went solo on Main Slope Lift Passes in
preparation for a trip abroad.
“I hadn’t been on skis in over 10
years so I took beginner lessons
at The Snow Centre and I was so
pleased I did! The experience was
so much better than my first lessons
years ago. The instructors were much
more attentive and interested in your
development. It also made a real
difference to the fun I had on my holiday,”
said Chris.
Emily Cross, age 4Emily is learning to ski and snowboard on
private lessons at The Snow Centre.
“Every step is introduced to Emily in
a fun and child-friendly way, and her
instructor tailors the sessions to make
sure she is progressing through the
levels at the appropriate pace for her. As
a result Emily loves her time on the snow
and is doing really well!” said Emily’s
mum.
Chris Turrell
Emily Cross
10
Level 4
Level 3
Level 5 Level 6
Snow StarzJunior SKi Club
Ignite JuniorSnowboard Club
Freestyle
ClinicsParkStarz
Junior Freestyle
PerformanceCoaching
FreestyleFundamentals
Coaching
Academy
LEARNING JOURNEY...........................................
Level 1
Level 2
Main Slope Ready
Level 1 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 2 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 5 & 6 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Main Slope Ready Ski or Snowboard Lesson
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
Adults Juniors Available to adults and juniors
The Snow Centre’s Snowsports School oers ski and snowboardprogression for adults and juniors. From beginner to advanced,most lessons are available as Group or Private Sessions. Considering the diering needs of an adult and junior, skier or snowboarder, TSC’s lesson and coaching programme providesvaried session length and progression steps to help everyoneget the most out of their time on the snow. So whatever your snow needs, find a session for you below.
Available as a ski or snowboard sessionSki onlySnowboard only
Skier or snowboarder, adult or junior, aLevel 1 Lesson is an introduction to the snow and the equipment. Progression steps and session length is varied to suit the age group and snow discipline, with additionallevels sitting within level 1 for junior skiers, to benefit their development.Private Lessons are available for 3 years+, 1 Hour Group Lessons for 4-10 year oldskiers and 7-10 year old snowboarders.11-16 year old’s and adult lessons start from 1.5 hours.
In all Level 2 lessons a level of control and skill is being developed for both adults and juniors. The progression steps and lesson length are varied to suit the age group and snow discipline.
Level 3 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 4 Ski or Snowboard Lesson..............................................................................
For adults and juniors, after getting comfortable with varied skills on skis or a snowboard on the Trainer Slope, Level 4is an introduction to the centre’s 160m Main Slope.
For adults and juniors, levels 5 and 6 include varied progression steps and tasks based on the snowsports discipline to develop existing skills. From achieving the correct posture, to performance on varied terrain.
ParkStarz Junior Freestyle Coaching
...........................................
Available to skiers andsnowboarders aged 7 -16 these 2 hour
sessions coach a variety of dierent tricks on
boxes, rails and kickers every Friday.
Performance Coaching
........................................
Available to adult skiers, these sessions coach advanced skills
in preparation for a variety of disciplines,
including performance skiing, racing and slalom.
Coaching Academy
.........................................
Snowstars Junior Ski Club
...........................................
Ignite Junior Snowboard Club
..........................................
Freestyle Fundamentals
...............................................
Freestyle Coaching Clinics
.........................................
Rusty Refresher Ski Lessons.............................................................................If it’s been a while and you’re looking to get your ski legs back, then this is for you! A 1 Hour Adult Lesson where the Instructorguides you back to the appropriate level.
Available to skiers andsnowboarders, these adult 2 hour coaching sessions introduce flatland freestyle
and the fundamentalsof achieving basic tricks.
Available to skiers and snowboarders, these adult 2 hour sessions coach a variety of dierent tricks
on boxes, rails and kickers.
Available to snowboaders aged 7-16, these sessions
coach advanced snow-board skills in preparation
for performance riding and practising freestyle tricks.
Available to skiers aged 7-16, these sessions
coach advanced skills in preparation for a variety of disciplines, including
performance skiing, tricks,racing and slalom.
Available to adult skiers, these sessions train and
develop existing advanced skills in a
variety of ski disciplines, including performance
skiing, moguls and slalom.
Once adults and juniors are confident controlling speed, turning, stopping when required and using button lifts, they can practise on the Main Slope without a Lesson, with a Lift Pass. The Main Slope Ready Level is designed to boost confidence and achieve these skills with an Instructor.
..............................................................................In all Level 3 Lessons learning to turn on skis or a snowboard is a key part of the learning journey for adults and juniors. The progres-sion steps and lesson lengths are varied to suit the age group and snow discipline.
11
Level 4
Level 3
Level 5 Level 6
Snow StarzJunior SKi Club
Ignite JuniorSnowboard Club
Freestyle
ClinicsParkStarz
Junior Freestyle
PerformanceCoaching
FreestyleFundamentals
Coaching
Academy
LEARNING JOURNEY...........................................
Level 1
Level 2
Main Slope Ready
Level 1 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 2 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 5 & 6 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Main Slope Ready Ski or Snowboard Lesson
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
Adults Juniors Available to adults and juniors
The Snow Centre’s Snowsports School oers ski and snowboardprogression for adults and juniors. From beginner to advanced,most lessons are available as Group or Private Sessions. Considering the diering needs of an adult and junior, skier or snowboarder, TSC’s lesson and coaching programme providesvaried session length and progression steps to help everyoneget the most out of their time on the snow. So whatever your snow needs, find a session for you below.
Available as a ski or snowboard sessionSki onlySnowboard only
Skier or snowboarder, adult or junior, aLevel 1 Lesson is an introduction to the snow and the equipment. Progression steps and session length is varied to suit the age group and snow discipline, with additionallevels sitting within level 1 for junior skiers, to benefit their development.Private Lessons are available for 3 years+, 1 Hour Group Lessons for 4-10 year oldskiers and 7-10 year old snowboarders.11-16 year old’s and adult lessons start from 1.5 hours.
In all Level 2 lessons a level of control and skill is being developed for both adults and juniors. The progression steps and lesson length are varied to suit the age group and snow discipline.
Level 3 Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Level 4 Ski or Snowboard Lesson..............................................................................
For adults and juniors, after getting comfortable with varied skills on skis or a snowboard on the Trainer Slope, Level 4is an introduction to the centre’s 160m Main Slope.
For adults and juniors, levels 5 and 6 include varied progression steps and tasks based on the snowsports discipline to develop existing skills. From achieving the correct posture, to performance on varied terrain.
ParkStarz Junior Freestyle Coaching
...........................................
Available to skiers andsnowboarders aged 7 -16 these 2 hour
sessions coach a variety of dierent tricks on
boxes, rails and kickers every Friday.
Performance Coaching
........................................
Available to adult skiers, these sessions coach advanced skills
in preparation for a variety of disciplines,
including performance skiing, racing and slalom.
Coaching Academy
.........................................
Snowstars Junior Ski Club
...........................................
Ignite Junior Snowboard Club
..........................................
Freestyle Fundamentals
...............................................
Freestyle Coaching Clinics
.........................................
Rusty Refresher Ski Lessons.............................................................................If it’s been a while and you’re looking to get your ski legs back, then this is for you! A 1 Hour Adult Lesson where the Instructorguides you back to the appropriate level.
Available to skiers andsnowboarders, these adult 2 hour coaching sessions introduce flatland freestyle
and the fundamentalsof achieving basic tricks.
Available to skiers and snowboarders, these adult 2 hour sessions coach a variety of dierent tricks
on boxes, rails and kickers.
Available to snowboaders aged 7-16, these sessions
coach advanced snow-board skills in preparation
for performance riding and practising freestyle tricks.
Available to skiers aged 7-16, these sessions
coach advanced skills in preparation for a variety of disciplines, including
performance skiing, tricks,racing and slalom.
Available to adult skiers, these sessions train and
develop existing advanced skills in a
variety of ski disciplines, including performance
skiing, moguls and slalom.
Once adults and juniors are confident controlling speed, turning, stopping when required and using button lifts, they can practise on the Main Slope without a Lesson, with a Lift Pass. The Main Slope Ready Level is designed to boost confidence and achieve these skills with an Instructor.
..............................................................................In all Level 3 Lessons learning to turn on skis or a snowboard is a key part of the learning journey for adults and juniors. The progres-sion steps and lesson lengths are varied to suit the age group and snow discipline.
12
NICK LARKSKI INSTRUCTORNick’s a qualified CSIA Ski Instructor and
Freestyle Coach. After completing his
training in Whistler and working out in
Canada and California, Nick has proved
to have some awesome tricks up his
sleeve! He now coaches Freestyle Ski
Lessons on jumps, rails and boxes on
Thursday and Friday nights at
The Snow Centre.
Nick’s favourite thing about snow life
“Getting to travel and meet people from
countries all over the world.”
DAVID WILKINSONTECHNICAL MANAGERDave is “keeper of the snow”, leading
a Technical Team who maintain the
quality of TSC’s snow. Having worked at
Hemel Dry Slope before it re-opened as
The Snow Centre with real snow on its
slopes, Dave has worked on the same
site for 29 years.
Dave’s favourite thing about snow life
“Looking after the snow quality and
working with the rest of the team.”
JACK STICKINGSRENTALS MANAGERJack joined The Snow Centre in 2011
as a Part Time Rentals Team Member.
Now he’s a man of “snow many talents”!
Qualifying as a ski instructor at
The Snow Centre, Jack also manages
TSC’s Rental Team who provide
equipment for the many snow lovers
hitting the slopes of Hemel Hempstead.
During the past 3 years Jack has
worked in the Rental, Sales and
Technical Teams, and he’s even been
TSC’s onsite gardener!
Jack’s favourite thing about snow life
“Making people happy every single
day.”
KAYLEIGH DICKSONSNOWBOARD INSTRUCTORKayleigh learnt to snowboard at The Snow Centre
(TSC). After following TSC’s lesson programme,
Kayleigh advanced her skills on the Main
Slope before later qualifying on a BASI (British
Association of Snowsports Instructors) course, all
on TSC’s indoor slopes. Now Kayleigh teaches
hundreds of adults and juniors to board each
week. Being first aid trained and a member of the
Slope Patrol Team, she also takes care of TSC’s
guests whilst they’re having fun on the slopes.
Kayleigh’s favourite thing about snow life
“Getting to share my passion with people every
day and help inspire in them the same love I have
for snowsports.”
THERE’S NO CAREER LIKE A SNOW CAREER!
Whether you’re a licensed skier or snowboarder, fascinated by the white stuff or just tired of sitting behind a desk, read on to find out why “snow work” is so much fun!
Meet The Snow Centre Team:
If snow life sounds tempting,
find out more about instructor
training, first aid courses and
roles at The Snow Centre, by
following the links below.
Become a Snowsports Instructor! thesnowcentre.com/instructor
Join The Snow Centre Team!thesnowcentre.com/jobs
The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead is home to
over 250 snowsports-related jobs. That’s a lot of
talented snow lovers all bringing their own set of
unique skills to the slopes! From rental ski and
snowboard technicians to park shapers, guest
service representatives, piste basher drivers,
slope patrollers and instructors – there’s a snow
load of knowledge in this team and much of it was
learnt at The Snow Centre!
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14
White Gold
Freshly groomed, waist deep or an early morning
dusting, snow is a ‘hot’ topic on the slopes, and
#snowfall is a popular trend on Twitter all winter
long. In fact, these days ever more of us choose
our ski trips based, to a large extent, on snowfall
expectations, so it’s no surprise that perfect snow
conditions are the sought-after treasure of the
slopes.
But despite the impression that brochures
and ski movies give us, guaranteeing powder in
resorts is unfortunately not easy; no one can ever
tell when it will fall and what the weather will be
like.
The resorts try their hardest, though, and that
snow perfection obsession doesn’t end on the
slopes of the Alps or the Rockies; visitors of
indoor centres also delight in the pure fun to be
had on great snow.
However, making and maintaining snow indoors
is a challenge too, and if you’ve ever wondered
HOW or WHO makes the white stuff on
The Snow Centre’s indoor slopes, you should
be sure to meet the ‘keeper of the snow’, Dave
Wilkinson, and his team.
How The ‘Snow Man’ Makes White Gold!
Just like on the mountains, indoor snow is made
using a cold environment, water and air. Indoors,
the challenge is in offering snow conditions to suit
everyone!
Keeping CoolDave’s team create a cold environment in what’s
known as the ‘ski box’, an enclosed area around
The Snow Centre’s slopes. To keep it cold, 30,000
litres of anti-freeze is cooled in two large chillers
and pumped under the slopes and into the area
up on the gantry (a walkway that runs along the
ceiling).
Because the underfloor coolant keeps the
snow cold, the air temperature can be kept at -2
degrees during daytime skiing; this is a lot more
agreeable than the night time snow-making chill
of -6 degrees.
Making SnowSnow making itself requires water, air,
temperature control, timing, a large water tank
and pump, eight powerful snow guns mounted on
the gantry, two portable guns and a snow load of
knowledge and experience to get it right.
In the mountains, crystals are found in the
clouds before they turn to snowflakes, but indoor
centres make snow crystals themselves. These
pure crystals fall on The Snow Centre’s slopes at
night and it takes all ten snow guns running for
four hours to create a 2mm layer of snow spread
evenly over The Snow Centre’s slopes. With the
snow laying half a metre thick there’s a lot of
snow making to do!
Keeping It FreshAs The Snow Centre is open all year round,
there’s no time for ‘old’ snow to melt, so to
maintain good-quality conditions the old stuff
must be removed regularly! Snow becomes ‘old’
when it’s skied on or groomed often by the piste
basher, which causes the snow structure to break
down and become soft and sugary like spring
snow in the mountains – and, more importantly, it
becomes a lot less fun for snowsports lovers.
Protecting the snow quality is a huge priority for
The Snow Centre Team and the reason why after
night time grooming the snow is left to settle for at
least six hours so it can go hard again.
15
Training Treasure! It’s your first time on the slopes, you’re working
on your confidence or just getting to grips with
your turns – you’re looking for a freshly groomed
piste with a dusting of soft snow.
Dave Wilkinson says, “The Trainer Slope needs
to be soft, ‘grippy’ and smooth to help beginners
learn the basics. My team and I make fresh, fluffy
snow and groom the slope in the evening to
allow the snow time to settle overnight ready for
ski and snowboard lessons the next day.”
White Gold For Skilled Skiers And Snowboarders!For snowsports lovers wanting to take their skills
to the next level, The Snow Centre’s Main Slope
is where it’s at.
Dave explains, “Our snow conditions vary
throughout the day due to use by our guests. As
we protect our snow quality by only grooming
the slope at night, those looking to work on their
carving should visit the slope first thing. Anyone
hoping for something slightly more challenging
should hit the slopes later in the day, when the
terrain has become less predictable. Now and
again we build special snow features such as
moguls and boardercross courses using the
piste basher, digger and some manual shaping.
We try to create something for everyone without
disrupting the snow quality.”
Pearls For Park Lovers!You’re pretty skilled on your skis or snowboard
and want to land some tricks – start hitting
The Snow Centre’s Freestyle Parks on Thursday
and Friday nights!
“The Snow Centre Technical and Park Team
work together to build the boxes, rails and
kickers you see out on park nights. Like the
snow after grooming, once the snow and rails
have been moved into position and shaped, they
need to be left to set. This setting time allows
the entries to the features to become hard and
smooth and ensures they don’t fall apart during
use. Creating large kickers requires the piste
basher to move a lot of snow around the slope
and if done too often can damage the snow
quality for both our park lovers and other slope
users. Building a good park and maintaining the
snow conditions is about balance,” says Dave.
Beginner or park lover, powder chaser or piste
carver, with so many different ways to enjoy
snow, it’s apparent that defining the perfect snow
conditions for all is just as simple as making the
stuff. That’s not too simple!
It is, however, easy to understand why snow is
considered such precious stuff. The Snow Centre
Team can tell you about the vast knowledge and
equipment it takes to make white gold and even
more about the time that goes into taking care of
it. It’s a challenge, but one that’s well worth it.
For them, it’s all about watching our gleaming
faces as we whizz through our very own freshly
made white gold!
Find out more about the ‘Snow Man’, his team
and making snow on the slopes at The Snow
Centre, at thesnowcentre.com/snowforecast
White gold for everyone! Find out how The Snow Centre Team make snow for you!
Dave Wilkinson The ‘Snow Man’
16
No one ever forgets the first time they wake on a
cold winter’s morning to find the ground covered
with fresh snow! Eager to get out and play, it’s a
case of quickly grabbing warm clothes and wellies
and getting outside in search of a snowy adventure.
Nowadays, with venues such as The Snow Centre
offering real-snow fun all year round, neither kids
nor adults have to wait on the weatherman!
That’s good news for Ethan, age 9, and Gael,
age 7, brothers from Acuna, Mexico. With their
hometown temperature often sitting at 40°C and
minimal visits back to their UK roots, they could
have been waiting a very long time to guarantee
their snow day!
That’s why, amongst visiting family and
sightseeing in London, whilst in sunny England
Ethan celebrated his 10th birthday with a Sledging
Party at The Snow Centre. Family and friends took
to the slopes together, racing to the bottom and
enjoying some traditional snow fun, before heading
upstairs to The Lodge Bar & Kitchen for an Alpine
themed birthday meal.
For some this was the first time they had ever
seen snow! Ethan said he’d had a wonderful time
and mum Isabelle agreed: “It was fantastic for us to
watch the kids having such fun.”
And the choice of sledging experiences at
The Snow Centre is not just limited to kids’ parties!
There are a variety of adult and junior sessions
available, alongside Team Building Sledging
Events and Group Sledging Packages. We’ve
highlighted a few below; take your pick or visit
thesnowcentre.com to find some ‘Just For Fun’
activities to suit you!
Sledging For AllFun for both adults and juniors!* You can whizz, spin
and slide down the real-snow slope on a rubber
ringo or sledge for just £5 per person at
The Snow Centre. Their 30-minute Summer
Weekend Sledging Sessions are great for all. Plus
private sessions are available for groups of ten or
more people. *For children aged 4+.
Kids’ Snow PartiesThe Snow Centre offers an assortment of different
snow party activities, from sledging to snowscooters,
to taking the plunge on the Arctic Alley extreme
sledging run. All parties include 45 minutes on the
snow, one hour in a private party room with yummy
food, a visit from TSC’s mascot, Snow Cat, your own
party hosts, party invites and the option of up to four
adults going out and joining the party on the snow.Please note that varied age restrictions and minimum and maximum numbers apply. Arctic Alley is only available during the summer.
Arctic Alley Extreme Sledging
For all the thrill seekers out there, you can take
sledging to a whole new level with Arctic Alley’s
extreme sledging run at The Snow Centre. With
one-hour sessions for £10 per person, you can fly
down a luge-style run, over and under tunnels in a
fast-moving ringo! Not for the fainthearted, sessions
are available every Saturday and Sunday throughout
the summer. Due to the speed and length of Arctic Alley, only guests over 1.2m tall and ages 7+ are able to ride.
For more information on The Snow Centre’s
sledging activities visit thesnowcentre.com
or call 0844 770 7227.
You don’t have to hit the slopes on skis or a snowboard to have fun on the snow! Sliding down a slope on a sledge or ringo never gets old!
EVERYONE LOVES A SNOW DAY!
Ethan’s 10th Birthday at The Snow Centre
More short ski breaks to top European resortsMore choice of chalets, hotels & apartments
More flexibility on days & datesMore ways to travel, 17 UK airports, overnight coach
More hotels from 2* value to 5* luxuryMore of what you want, when you want it
Why only ski once a year?
18
HERE COME
THE GIRLS Inspired by Sochi!
Inspiring “fridge kids” across Britain, Jenny’s
gripping performance not only got her to the
podium; it also motivated many young girls to
get out on their boards!
Yet, the UK’s aspiring snowsports talent of
tomorrow – both male and female – know all
about the limitations of finding mountain riding
close to home, so it comes as no surprise that it
took us Brits 80 years or more to bring home a medal. But could
dry slopes and indoor real-snow centres be starting to change all
that?
Each summer, international teams often train in indoor snow
centres around the world, as well as on glaciers and in the
southern hemisphere. Many of the disciplines seen at the
Olympics, such as cross country, downhill and boardercross,
require outdoor training, but the slopestyle technique is easier
to perfect indoors on rails or jumps which are easier for indoor
centres to re-create. For many young snow lovers this allows for
valuable practice time on their doorstep, building for the future
success of our slopestyle Olympians.
Back before many of today’s indoor real-snow centres were
built, Jenny Jones herself started out ‘sessioning’ at her local dry
slope on her snowboard, as did Olympic slopestyle snowboarder
Aimee Fuller. Now, as Aimee travels the world training and
competing, London’s closest indoor real-snow centre, The Snow
Centre Hemel Hempstead, has become a UK base for her to
practise and inspire the next generation of snowboard stars.
Aimee, The Snow Centre Ambassador, said, “One of the
best sessions I had at The Snow Centre was straight after
the Olympics, with Jamie Nicholls. We flew back from
Sochi, had a day in London and then headed straight out
to The Snow Centre for a session. It was so memorable as
there were so many people there riding and just stoked on
snowboarding, and that was the coolest thing to see, just
the place packed with tons of new faces of people trying the
sport we love!”
As congratulations pour in from admiring snow lovers,
Aimee and Jamie have been busy getting behind
The Snow Centre’s Junior Snowboarding Sessions to help
shape the future of their sport. There are a number of
sessions available to young snowboarders, from beginner to
advanced group or private lessons to advanced development
clubs, such as Ignite Snowboard Academy on Saturday
mornings, Burton Riglets for children aged 3–6 or ParkStarz
Freestyle/Slopestyle Coaching on Friday evenings.
Snowboarding’s not just for juniors either; there are plenty
of opportunities for adults to get involved too. In fact,
The Snow Centre offers a choice of beginner to advanced
lessons, including ladies only morning sessions, Freestyle
Coaching and the occasional boardercross or mogul’s
course.
With today’s growing opportunities to enjoy snowboarding
on our home turf, surely the Brits are one step closer to
bringing home the next lot of medals on snow!
Following snowboarding’s debut at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, slopestyle competitor Jenny Jones is now known as the first ever Team GB athlete to win a medal on snow!
19
Inspired by Sochi!
Betsie O’Neill Age: 6
Snowboarding since: Age 5
About: A big fan of Aimee
Fuller! Betsie learnt to
snowboard during private
lessons at The Snow Centre
with instructor Ashley Moulding.
Greatest achievement: Getting her Burton Riglet Park
medal and going on the Main Slope with Aimee Fuller and
Jamie Nicholls at The Snow Centre.
At The Snow Centre: Following on from Betsie’s private
snowboard lessons, she could begin group lessons at the
age of 7, continue with private tuition or progress to the
Ignite Junior Snowboard Academy. Betsie also hit her
first freestyle features at the Burton Riglet Park at
The Snow Centre’s fifth birthday celebration, so she will be
sure to join the Freestyle ParkStarz sessions one day.
Why snowboarding: Betsie has loved snowboarding ever
since her dad brought her to The Snow Centre. Betsie says,
“When I grow up I would like to ride for Team GB.”
Cerys Allen Age: 14
Snowboarding since: Age 9
About: Cerys had her first
snowboard lesson at age 9. A talented
young rider, she started landing freestyle tricks the same year.
Now she competes in slopestyle competitions all over Europe.
Her ambition is to compete in the Junior Winter Olympics in
2016 and Winter Olympics in 2018.
Greatest achievement: Being invited to ride at The Burton
European Open.
At The Snow Centre: Cerys has been sponsored by
The Snow Centre for some time, riding the freestyle parks
every Thursday and Friday night to get her practice time in,
and her skills have developed with help from her regular gym
sessions and National Park and Pipe Team sessions.
Why snowboarding: Cerys says, “I love snowboarding
simply because it makes me happy, and I’m so grateful to
The Snow Centre Team for helping me achieve my goals.”
To find out more about getting
involved in snowboarding
or freestyle/slopestyle visit
thesnowcentre.com or
call 0844 770 7227.
PIC: A
IMEE FU
LLER AN
D RED
BU
LL
Alice BlakeAge: 22
Snowboarding since: Age 10
About: Alice’s dad put her on skis at the age of 2, and
at 10, inspired by her interest in skateboarding, she
switched to snowboarding. She picked it up straight
away and started competing in freestyle events at
age 14. Alice remembers that great day, just over 5 years
ago when The Snow Centre opened, just 5 minutes from her house!
Greatest achievements: Alice was offered a place on the Junior British Snowboard
Team at 15. She won 3 gold medals at the BRITS in 2008 and rode at the Snowboard
Freeze Festival in London.
At The Snow Centre: Now, Alice rides on The Snow Centre’s Thursday and Friday
freestyle nights and helps out with Ignite Snowboard Academy on Saturday mornings
to help inspire the next generation of fearless young girls and boys.
Why snowboarding: Although Alice initially tried snowboarding because she thought
it was really cool, she later enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and a love became
an obsession. Alice said, “Snowboarding’s taken me all over Europe and always
makes me happy until I face plant!”
Betsie O’Neill
Alice Blake
Cerys Allen
How The Snow Centre’s girls are
following in the Olympian’s tracks…
THE SNOW CENTRE
GIRLS ON BOARD!
Olympic Snowboarder Aimee Fuller
20
SUPPORT FOR INNER-CITY YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE RISE!
The Snow Centre’s long-term charity partner, Snow-Camp, are celebrating the successes of yet another fantastic year.
M O U N T A I N H E A V E N
0151 625 1921mountainheaven.co.uk
High Quality Catered+ Self Catered
Accommodation
French and Swiss AlpsSnow Sure Resorts
On / Near Piste locationsNo Hidden Extras
Financially Bonded
Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices
he innovative
youth charity
– who you’ll
often see
in action on
the slope
at Hemel
Hempstead
– celebrated
their 10-year
anniversary in October 2013 and
last year supported over 350
young people from London alone
with the use of snowsports and
life-skills programmes on their
introductory First Tracks course.
Sixty of these young people,
often from disadvantaged
backgrounds, went on to
the Snow-Camp Graduate
Programme in which they
received more intensive life-
skills sessions and motivational
appearances from pioneers in
the industry. Forty young people,
including a handful from Glasgow,
headed out to Italy in April 2014
to gain their first experience of
the mountain environment with
a week-long residential course,
with 15 going on to achieve their
full Snowsport England Level 1
Instructors badge.
The latest development in the
Snow-Camp programmes is the
charity’s very own Apprenticeship
Programme, which sees five young
graduates from the Snow-Camp
journey join the team in a full-time
role for a whole year. This fantastic
initiative sees the lucky young people
gain invaluable work experience at
industry shows as well as with many
of the charity’s industry partners
including Skiworld and The Snow
Centre itself.
Snow-Camp are now well into their
new programme year with a group
of between 350–400 young people
experiencing skiing, snowboarding
and accredited life-skills courses
for the first time. With the charity’s
expansion into new cities across
the UK including Cardiff and Leeds/
Bradford, we wish the Snow-Camp
team and the young people involved
all the best throughout this 2014/15
programme year. For more information
and to see how you can support
Snow-Camp’s work, please visit
snow-camp.org.uk.
T
Snow-Camp’s newly qualified Instructors
Jenny Jones and Jamie Nicholls with Snow-Camp at The Snow Centre
22
THE BEST PI
CS:
CO
RTIN
A A
ND
D G
BA
ND
ION
, CO
RTIN
A A
ND
GIU
SEPP
E G
HED
INA
, STE
FAN
O Z
ARD
INI
SKI RESORT OR SKI DAY
23
always try to give a
helpful answer, but
the real truth is that
how much you enjoy
your holiday is down
to who you are and
who you’re with as
much as where you
are. There are lots of random factors on a
ski trip – travel in winter, snow conditions,
who you end up in a chalet with, how
crowded the slopes are, how much hassle
it is (or hopefully isn’t) to get on the slopes
each morning, and 101 other things that
can affect your holiday enjoyment for the
good or (hopefully not) bad.
This means you can have a lousy
holiday in an apparently great resort, or
vice versa: a wonderful stay in some place
the reviewers have told you would be
terrible.
I first put on skis 35 years ago before
indoor snow centres really existed, so I
was on a brush matting artificial surface
slope before heading off on a school trip
to a little resort in Italy that no one has
ever heard of. It was a long coach journey
but a lot of fun.
Looking back at all my trips since, I’m
pleased to say almost all were good
– skiing in the mountains is like eating
chocolate: it’s hard to go wrong. Some
trips do stick out in the mind as more
memorable, for good reasons, than
others, but they are mostly down to
who I was at the time, who I was with or
something else ‘random’, as much as the
place.
But here are some thoughts on possible
choices:
several occasions and got a real buzz out of testing
out the new season’s ski equipment, knowing that
most people won’t be seeing snow for another few
months at least. Quite often there’s fresh snowfall at
that altitude even at that time of the year, and it feels
very special indeed to be starting the season months
before everyone else, up on a sunny glacier high
above the rest of the world.
In the afternoon you return to a lush green valley,
still in warm summer mode, and can sit out on the
terrace for drinks or a meal.
Cervinia, Italy Mmm, Coffee
Zermatt has the better views of the Matterhorn, but
it also has Swiss prices. You can ski over the border
from here into Cervinia on a wonderful, nearly 10km-
long run that drops around 2000 vertical metres.
La Polsa, Italy Second Ski Holiday
One thing I love about winter sports is that they can
be as much fun on day one as they are when you’re
a very experienced skier years later.
I remember that first ski trip very clearly, but the
second, thanks to generous fund raising by my
mum and dad a few years later, was better still. After
that first week of lessons I was really mastering the
basics. In fact, at age 17 I was invincible and probably
the greatest skier ever (in my mind).
I remember, as do several of my like-minded
friends, a level of energy I’ve sadly long since lost,
which saw us up and out at 8am to be first on the lift
and waiting at the top of the mountain for the lifts to
close again at 5, having skied hard all day, so that
we’d have an empty run to race each other straight
down.
Sölden, Austria Summer Skiing
If you’re lucky enough to be in the Alps outside the
ski season, you’ll find the mountains are equally
beautiful and awe-inspiring in summer as they are in
winter.
There are now more places in Europe where you
can ski indoors in summer and autumn than there
are outdoor glacier areas open to enjoy at that time
of year.
One that is well worth the effort perhaps for a
weekend from September to November is Sölden in
the Austrian Alps.
Its twin glaciers, Rettenbach and Tiefenbach, open
at the end of summer, and in October the northern
hemisphere’s first World Cup ski races of the season
are staged there.
I’ve enjoyed the great festival atmosphere there on
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
As a ski writer I’m often asked for advice on where to go on a ski holiday. The choice is vast and even though I’ve now visited nearly 300 ski areas, with more than 5000 operating in 80 countries worldwide I’ve really only scratched the surface.
I
24
The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead Snow In Summer (and every other season)
OK, it may seem a bit corny to include The Snow
Centre in this list, but I think it is something truly
excellent, a pinnacle of achievement for mankind,
that I can walk onto a freshly prepared snow slope
on any day of the year to make some turns. I
particularly enjoy doing so in mid-summer when the
surreal aspect of walking in from a hot British day
onto indoor slopes really feels very special indeed.
I suppose the most fun I’ve had on indoor snow, my
best days, has been skiing in a charity fund-raising
team, trying to make as many runs as I can. On one
particularly memorable occasion I was dressed in a
gorilla costume.
Wengen, Switzerland The Wow Factor
Mountain scenery is almost always beautiful and
often stunning. For me it’s a big part of the whole ski
holiday experience.
But some resorts are more “Wow!” than others,
and the first I remember thinking was just jaw-
droppingly stunning was my first visit to the Swiss
Jungfrau region, home to three spectacular peaks,
the best known of which is the Eiger. So my first day
in Wengen, 20 years ago, was memorable for that
scenery. The other ski resorts there, Grindelwald and
Murren, are equally impressive.
Since then I’ve been equally blown away by the
view from Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies,
Mt Yotei, viewed from the slopes of Niseko in
Japan, and back in Switzerland, the incomparable
Matterhorn that towers above Zermatt, among
others, but the Jungfrau was first.
Aviemore, Scotland Met The Wife
Lots of people, particularly those of a certain
generation, have tales of their ski holidays in
On this particular day, during the long climb up to
Europe’s highest lift-served point nearly 3900m up
on the Klein Matterhorn, we had stopped at a glossy
cafeteria in the lift building and paid 5 or 7 Swiss
francs (around £4) for an unimpressive self-service
coffee in a plastic cup.
After a wonderful 20 minutes skiing from the top,
we crossed the border and found a small mountain
hut with a little terrace out front where about a dozen
people could sit. Here we paid 1 euro (80p) for a
perfect handmade Italian espresso while the friendly
hostess told us the menu of handmade pastas (it
changed daily and nothing was printed). We went
back every day during our stay and it remains one
of the candidates for the best mountain restaurant
I’ve ever dined in, never paying more than 10 euros
a time, and that’s having been taken to quite a few
gourmet establishments over the years.
Heavenly, California Surreal Slopes
If I were to recommend a resort to anyone, I’d say
it was hard to go wrong with Heavenly in California
– other than the fact that it’s a 12-hour flight away,
across the other side of the US. But once you’re
there it has a huge, fun ski area, the state’s largest,
with the spectacular Lake Tahoe laid out below you.
The resort itself has hundreds of hotels, restaurants
and shops – a great choice with something for
everyone.
But I mention it here for another aspect of
Heavenly: the fact that it straddles the state line with
gambling state Nevada. Mere inches from that line,
down at resort level, vast tower block casinos spring
up Vegas style, with huge 24-hour gambling halls
and also very cheap dining for savvy skiers who can
resist the slot machines.
This being Nevada, quick marriages are also
performed, and it was here that I saw a quickly-
wed bride and entourage in full wedding gown
and regalia come out of the casino, jump into the
Heavenly gondola and head up to the slopes. It was
very cool and seemed to epitomise the fun I had
both on and off the slopes there.
PIC
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ITE
25
Aviemore, skiing at Cairngorm. Often the tales
are not terribly positive ones either, with stories of
horizontal blizzards and limited snow cover.
I organised a ski trip from my college in the mid-
1980s, and we didn’t do much skiing. Resorts like
Chamonix, Ischgl, Solden and St. Anton might have
a better reputation for après ski, but Aviemore can
hold its own with pubs like the Winking Owl, Skiing
Doo and, since my time, the Cairngorm Brewery
supplying the beverages.
Despite the lack of snowtime, I must have liked the
place, as I moved up to live nearby when I finished
my college course and married the girl I met on that
ski trip, so the few ski days we managed meant a lot.
Big White, Canada Comfortable Skiing
This happened to me in Big White but it could happen
to you anywhere, including The Snow Centre. After
about 25 years of skiing, and many different ski
lessons through the decades, I got talking to a
manager at a ski shop in Big White who was fitting
me with rental boots. He was Australian and was
frank enough to tell me my feet were not the most
perfectly balanced.
I had realised this from way back when they were
measured up for children’s shoes as I grew through
school, but it seemed that by this time my feet were
skewed at weird angles. I was, in short, a freak. He
didn’t say that to me exactly, but he did invite other
members of the ski shop team over to take a look
at my feet as he put them through various scientific
measurements.
He then proceeded to describe to me every
problem I had with my skiing despite all those
lessons, the key one being I found it a lot easier to
turn left than right.
The next step was the creation of custom-made
footbeds, which essentially map the bottom of my
deformed feet so that they make contact with the
base of the ski boots as if they were perfect feet.
That afternoon when I got out on the slopes of Big
White after an unexpected two hours in the ski shop
(fortunately they weren’t busy) was a revelation to
me. Suddenly I could ski perfectly; I was invincible
again like back in La Polsa.
I had a similar if less dramatic experience last
winter in St. Moritz when I got goggles with
prescription-lens inserts inside them and I could
suddenly see the scenery. That was good for
sightseeing, but less good for facing up to steep
blacks now I could see where I was heading.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy Surprising Slopes I’m yet to get bored of skiing, even though I have
been researching and writing about it 365 days a
year for several decades. But when you’ve skied
a lot of resorts, the slopes can get a bit ‘samey’
sometimes.
My biggest revelation in recent years came on
an Easter trip to Cortina where we discovered the
remarkable Hidden Valley descent, a breathtaking
5km-long red run that quite simply is miles from
anywhere – ski lifts, other people – although
fortunately there is a great restaurant at the top and
another at the bottom, both of which I visited.
To make the experience even more special
and unusual we paid a few euros to join a line
of people being towed a few more kilometres,
this time horizontally from the bottom of the run,
over to the Sella Ronda, a giant loop of pistes and
runs connecting another half-dozen resorts in the
Dolomites.
THE RULES OF TRACTION HAVE CHANGED.INTRODUCING THE BMW X RANGE.Some cars are built purely for power, others for comfort, some are designed solely for beauty. The BMW X Range removes the need to choose, combining incredible power and effi ciency with exceptional luxury and craftsmanship. As soon as you take the wheel, you’ll fi nd inspiration in each and every journey.
Offi cial fuel economy fi gures for the BMW X Range: Urban 16.1-54.3mpg (17.5-5.2l/100km). Extra Urban 29.4-68.9mpg (9.6-4.1l/100km). Combined 22.6-62.8mpg (12.5-4.5l/100km). CO2 emissions 292–119g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.
The new BMW X4
The UltimateDriving Machine
THE NEW BMW X4 NOW AVAILABLE AT SPECIALIST CARS TRING.
Specialist Cars Tring London Road, TringHertfordshire HP23 5RE
Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW X4 range: Urban 42.2–47.9mpg (6.7–5.9l/100km). Extra Urban 49.6–60.1mpg (5.7–4.7l/100km). Combined 46.3–54.3mpg (6.1–5.2l/100km). CO2 emissions 159–131g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.*Test drive subject to applicant status and availability. BMW EfficientDynamics reduces emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range.
The new BMW X4 introduces the bold, sporty aesthetics of a coupé with BMW xDrive, the intelligent four-wheel drive system, to provide the ultimate driving pleasure.
The eye-catching design in no way overshadows practicality with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats allowing you to create more space when required. What’s more, each of the progressive models sports a high level of equipment as standard including 18" alloy wheels, Xenon headlights and automatic tailgate. Leather upholstery, heated front seats and BMW Business Navigation further enhance the driving pleasure. Undeniably powerful yet impressively economical, the new BMW X4 demands to be driven.
For more information on the new BMW X4 or to arrange a test drive*, please contact us on 01442 892900or visit www.specialistcarsbmwtring.co.uk
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THE RULES OF TRACTION HAVE CHANGED.INTRODUCING THE BMW X RANGE.Some cars are built purely for power, others for comfort, some are designed solely for beauty. The BMW X Range removes the need to choose, combining incredible power and effi ciency with exceptional luxury and craftsmanship. As soon as you take the wheel, you’ll fi nd inspiration in each and every journey.
Offi cial fuel economy fi gures for the BMW X Range: Urban 16.1-54.3mpg (17.5-5.2l/100km). Extra Urban 29.4-68.9mpg (9.6-4.1l/100km). Combined 22.6-62.8mpg (12.5-4.5l/100km). CO2 emissions 292–119g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.
The new BMW X4
The UltimateDriving Machine
THE NEW BMW X4 NOW AVAILABLE AT SPECIALIST CARS TRING.
Specialist Cars Tring London Road, TringHertfordshire HP23 5RE
Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW X4 range: Urban 42.2–47.9mpg (6.7–5.9l/100km). Extra Urban 49.6–60.1mpg (5.7–4.7l/100km). Combined 46.3–54.3mpg (6.1–5.2l/100km). CO2 emissions 159–131g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.*Test drive subject to applicant status and availability. BMW EfficientDynamics reduces emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range.
The new BMW X4 introduces the bold, sporty aesthetics of a coupé with BMW xDrive, the intelligent four-wheel drive system, to provide the ultimate driving pleasure.
The eye-catching design in no way overshadows practicality with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats allowing you to create more space when required. What’s more, each of the progressive models sports a high level of equipment as standard including 18" alloy wheels, Xenon headlights and automatic tailgate. Leather upholstery, heated front seats and BMW Business Navigation further enhance the driving pleasure. Undeniably powerful yet impressively economical, the new BMW X4 demands to be driven.
For more information on the new BMW X4 or to arrange a test drive*, please contact us on 01442 892900or visit www.specialistcarsbmwtring.co.uk
Specialist Cars Tring
31640_bs197549 Specialist cars_X_Product dps Ad.indd 1-2 27/08/2014 09:03
28
T S C F R E E S T Y L E
You may not have heard
of ‘slopestyle’ or even
‘freestyle’ before Sochi’s
2014 Winter Olympics, but
if you now can’t put your
snowboard down or you’ve
switched your speed skis for park-proof
twin tips, you won’t be surprised to learn
that you’re not alone!
Falling into the category of ‘freestyle’,
the ‘new school’ Olympic events of ski or
boardercross, half pipe and slopestyle,
performed by the likes of Team GB
snowboarders Aimee Fuller and Jamie
Nicholls or skiers James Woods and Katie
Summerhayes, have inspired the masses
to take up snowsports or vamp up their
existing skills.
Practised at tricks on features such
as rails, boxes, rollers, jumps or kickers,
freestyle skiers and snowboarders are
often considered the ‘thrill seekers’ on
the snow, but this label can only be giving
‘oomph’ to the freestyle craze! The number
of adults and kids enjoying Freestyle
Coaching sessions is growing fast and
The Snow Centre has seen many more
snow lovers emulating big stunts on their
weekly Thursday and Friday Park Nights.
We caught up with The Snow Centre’s
Pro Freestyle Team to find out more about
UK Freestyle, landing their favourite tricks
and what it takes to speed towards some
of the biggest jumps in the world before
performing airborne stunts more than 70ft
in the air.
To meet the rest of TSC’s Freestyle
Team or for more information on learning
to freestyle ski or snowboard,
The Snow Centre’s Thursday and Friday
Freestyle Park Nights, park set-ups or
The Snow Centre’s Junior Freestyle
Coaching Club, ParkStarz, please visit
thesnowcentre.com/freestyle
Meet Ross Welch 23-year-old Freestyle Skier from
Hemel Hempstead
The skis of choice: Atomic 182 Punx
The boots: Atomic Redster 120
“I started freestyle skiing 5 years
ago when The Snow Centre opened,
and I tried my hand at freestyle
on one of their Friday night park
sessions. Back then, it was mainly
snowboarders in the park, but
by trying to imitate their tricks I
found a new passion in freestyle
skiing. I now travel and compete
on an international scale following
the AFP World Tour (Association
of Freeskiing Professionals) and
will see the premiere of my film,
Perspective, later this year.”
Favourite freestyle stunt? “Cork 9
tail to truck driver.”
Stunt explained: “This is an off-axis
rotation with two and a half spins.
This includes grabbing the tail
of your ski with one hand before
changing mid rotation to a truck
driver (grabbing both of your skis at
the front).”
Top TSC moment: “Gap Nation!
Gap Nation is a freestyle ski and
snowboard competition which I run
every year at The Snow Centre.”
Sponsors: Atomic, ERV Travel
Insurance, NothinButSnow,
Sony, Mons Royale, GetBuzzing,
Extreme Sports, The Snow Centre,
Ambassador for The Snow Centre’s
ParkStarz Freestyle Coaching
Facebook: /skirosswelch
Instagram: _rosswelch
Twitter: @ross_welch
Website: rosswelch.co.uk
Ross Welch
& THE CRAZE, THE TRICKS THE RIDERS!
T S C F R E E S T Y L E
Madi Rowlands
Meet Aimee Fuller23-year-old Olympic Slopestyle Snowboarder from Kent
The snowboard of choice: Roxy 149 Eminence
The boots: Vans Aura
“I started skiing at age 4 on a dry slope; at 12 I switched to
snowboarding. After getting noticed by my first sponsor, Roxy, at 16
I began to travel and have been travelling with the GB Snowboard
Team ever since. Now I have competed in events like the Sochi 2014
Winter Olympics, X Games and the Open series.”
Favourite freestyle stunt? “A ‘front 3’, it feels so good in the air, and
then a backflip just to get the crowd going!”
Stunt explained: “To complete a ‘front 360’ or ‘front 3’, as you leave
the lip, pop hard and open your body up in the direction of the spin
or over your leading shoulder to get your body and your board
spinning front side.”
Top TSC moment: “My best moment at The Snow Centre was when
I came back from the Olympics with Jamie Nicholls and seeing the
buzz and stoke of everyone there. I have never seen the
place so packed and had a blast riding with
everyone that night. We were on such a high!”
Sponsors: Roxy, Red Bull, Vans, Level, The
Snow Centre, Ambassador for The Snow
Centre’s ParkStarz, The Snowboard Asylum
Facebook: /aimeefullersnow
Instagram: aimee_fuller
Twitter: @aimee_fuller
Website: aimeefuller.co.uk
Meet Jamie Nicholls21-year-old Olympic Slopestyle
Snowboarder from Bradford
The snowboard of choice:
Salomon Sabotage
The boots: Nike Lunar Endor
“I started riding at Halifax Ski and Snowboard
Centre when I was 7 years old and was instantly hooked, riding
every day! Now I’ve won the Burton Rail Day’s event in Tokyo and
finished in 6th place at the Sochi Winter Olympics. So far, it’s been a
crazy journey which has been fun, challenging, but most of all a great
experience.”
Favourite freestyle stunt? “I love to do the simple tricks, like ‘switch
back 180s’ and ‘frontside 360s’, because you can tweak the grabs
really well and see everything going on around you whilst you’re in
the air! Big tricks like ‘triples’ are fun, but normally you don’t get to see
much while you’re in the air.”
Stunt explained: “A ‘triple’ is basically a 1440 degree spin with three
flips in it… and that’s basically it!”
Top TSC moment: “My best moment at The Snow Centre was when I
filmed my documentary for release in October 2014. The Snow Centre
Team created a line for me to ride that started outside TSC’s building,
went down the Trainer Slope, then outside again, and of course
included hitting features on the way down.”
Sponsors: Nike, Salomon, The Snow Centre, Ambassador for
The Snow Centre’s Ignite Snowboard Club, Sandbox,
The Snowboard Asylum
Facebook: /jamienichollsuk Instagram: jamienichollsuk
Twitter: @jamienichollsuk Website: jamienichollsuk.com
Meet Madi Rowlands14-year-old Freestyle Skier from Walderslade
The skis of choice: K2 Empress The boots: Full Tilt
“I started skiing when I was 2 on family skiing trips. I got into freestyle through my brother
Mike and as I’m a bit of an adrenalin junkie, freestyle proved the perfect sport for me. Over
the last couple of seasons I have started to compete abroad in both slopestyle and half-pipe
events, making new friends and learning new tricks. It’s been an amazing experience. I’m
gutted that I was too young to compete at the Junior World Championships earlier this year,
but this enabled me to travel across to Tignes to compete in the Brits, where I retained my
British Slopestyle title and managed to bag the Women’s Half Pipe title too!”
Favourite freestyle stunt? “My favourite trick would have to be a ‘720 tail grab’.”
Stunt explained: “A ‘720’ is just two full spins off a jump! A ‘720 tail grab’ is when you
grab the ends of your skis to make your spin look a lot more stylish.”
Top TSC moment: “Every week I seem to get another top moment, but competing
at The Snow Centre’s Morrow Jam competition has to be up there. It’s the craziest
‘comp’ of the year and everyone has such a good time. I won the women’s
combined ski and snowboard category, which made my night!”
Sponsors: The Snow Centre, K2, Full Tilt, Animal Clothing, Bawbags, Alpoholics,
Lazer, Ski Bartlett, SportsAid,
Instagram: MadiRowlands Twitter: @madiirowlandss Website: mad4ski.com
Jamie Nicholls
PIC: A
IVARS ZEE ZA
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29Aimee Fuller
30
A Day In The Alps At The Snow CentreThis package is crammed with a Ski and Snowboard Lesson and a fun-filled
Sledging Session, where you’ll do your utmost to beat your friends to the
finish line.
In between all the action, it includes refreshments in the on-slope
Schuss Bar and a tasty lunch in the Alpine restaurant, The Lodge.
Equipment included. From £69 per person
Team Nights At The Snow CentreAt a Team Night it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got snowsports
experience; you won’t need your skis or snowboard when you take on the
‘snowman skittle challenge’, or speed down the slope on a SnowScooter
and more. Team Nights are great for getting together with friends for an
hour of fun activities on the snow, followed by an Alpine meal in The Lodge.
From £60 for a team of 4 people
T hey might be renowned for ski and snowboard
lessons, but there’s ‘snow’ much more going on at
The Snow Centre, and it could be the ideal venue for
your next group outing! From snow games, skittle
challenges, Sledging and SnowScooter Sessions, to
sliding down their extreme, luge-style run, Arctic
Alley, the choices at The Snow Centre are almost
endless.
Knowing that one size doesn’t fit all, The Snow Centre offers tailor-made
snow and dining bundles, so whether you’re the next ‘Eddie the Eagle’
or your group contains members with differing ability levels, there’s
something for all. And because you can design your own day out, you
could start on a snowboard, break for lunch in The Lodge Bar & Kitchen
and finish spinning down the slope in a ringo – or you can choose from
one of their ready-made packages!
31
Whether you’re looking for a team-building opportunity or just a great time with friends and family, a ‘snowy’ outing can prove a great way to move mountains together! As an added bonus you’re almost sure to go home with fewer bruises than if you’d gone paintballing!
Venue And Room Hire With A Difference!From stag and hen dos to birthday parties, corporate meetings and family events,
if you’re looking for a venue with a difference, The Snow Centre is just that!
The Snow Centre’s slopes and on-slope Schuss Bar are all available to hire throughout
the summer months and can offer you and your group hours of exclusive ski,
snowboarding and sledging fun. And you’re in good hands with The Snow Centre
Team, who have even hosted an on-slope wedding reception!
You could also add an après feel to your celebrations and make the most of
The Snow Centre’s Alpine-themed bar and restaurant and private room hire! With
stunning views over the slopes, The Lodge Bar & Kitchen’s facilities are available for
exclusive hire and group bookings all year round, and their Corporate Team plan a
unique dining package for every group! That’s your Christmas do, next birthday and
annual family gathering sorted!
For more information on The Snow Centre’s group snow or dining packages
or venue hire options and pricing, please e-mail
Better than Paintball!
Slope side suites
Choose from our Alpine Menu
32
Wacky Races
But there are races and contests
staged each ski season
where you don’t have to be
super fit or especially
competitive to join in,
although many of the
participants are. They are
officially open to all and many
taking part are just there for the fun of it, or to raise
money for a good cause.
Here are a few of the best coming up this winter:
The Santa Claus World Championships (Late November) clauwau.comStaged in Samnaun, Switzerland (linked by lifts
and pistes to Ischgl over the Austrian border), the
“Santas” challenge teams from around the world in
traditional skills and activities associated with the
great man, to be the world’s best. These include
delivering parcels up a chimney, mastering parcel
delivery using animals (usually donkeys rather than
reindeer) and much more. With international teams
all in full Santa guise, it’s quite a sight and great fun to
be part of.
The Monster Ski & Snowboard Challenge (Mid-March) mistrust.org.ukOrganised by the MS Trust, the aim here is to ski the
height of Mount Everest every day for three days
(90,000 vertical feet in total) in the famous resort of
Chamonix – which fortunately boasts the biggest
lift-served vertical in the world.
Since the first event in 2008, 79 people have taken
part in Monster Ski for the MS Trust, raising over
£407,000 to support the charity’s work.
The White Thrill (Mid-April) stantonamarlberg.comThis end of season dash down to St Anton from the
top of the lifts is limited to the first 500 applicants,
most of whom take it very seriously. There’s a
spectacular mass start from Valluga (2650m) down
9km and nearly 1350 vertical metres – including
an uphill section – and it finishes with a 100m dash
through the streets to the finishing post. The best
complete it in under eight minutes, but you can take
much longer.
3 Valleys Enduro (Early April) 3valleys.comA fun race attracting 1500 amateur skiers
and boarders annually in teams of three. The
world’s largest gathering of amateur skiers
essentially sends teams, starting at different
points, around the world’s biggest ski area
with fun challenges along the way. There
are different categories of team, including
families, and a big awards ceremony and
Savoyard buffet to enjoy too.
Luttman-Johnson Challenge(February) skiclub.co.ukStaged for more than 30 years, the aim of
this annual competition organised by the
Ski Club of Great Britain is to cover the most
ground, but also stop for a bite to eat at the
most restaurants, in the huge Zermatt ski
area – so very much a case of pacing yourself
in more ways than one. It’s an all-day team
challenge in which fancy dress is obligatory,
but you have the option of either taking it on
competitively in the ‘race’ category or at the
more leisurely ‘trail’ pace.
Some people take competing in the mountains very seriously, including of course our heroic “fridge kids”, who train hard on indoor snow then rip it up on the ski slopes of the world.
PICS: ST A
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IST BO
ARD
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SEF MA
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LLÉES,
33
YEARS Of
FUN15www.sputnikstore.com
49a West Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2LS | E : [email protected] P : 01628 478660
1999 - 2014
34
www.dynastar.com
© T
rista
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alic
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powertrack 89
7 Km fromChamonix Mont-blanc
les houches9.04 AM
IT’SNOWThe Powertrack 89 has been crafted for proficient to excellent skiers in search of high performance on and off the pistes, whatever the snow conditions and terrain. This precision, ultra-versatile and powerful ski features a wood core combined with fiberglass, delivering tremendous fluidity and responsiveness. It also boasts an internal titanium construction for supreme stability. With its 17-meter radius, the Powertrack 89 helps initiate turns on the piste, and its tip rocker provides good lift on powder snow. A ski whose only dream is speed - anytime, anyplace, anywhere!
IT'SSNOW_AllMountain_148,5x210.indd 2 28/08/14 12:06
PIC: ZERM
ATT
n recent years,
several die-hard
skiers have
managed
to ski the
highest peaks
on all seven
continents, yet
surprisingly the ultimate challenge – to
drink in the world’s seven highest ski
bars – remains an unwritten entry in
the famous Guinness Book.
There is some debate about which
buildings are bars, whether the bar
has any skiing nearby, whether it must
serve alcohol and whether it is just a
bar or part of a restaurant … but here
are the most promising candidates.
Zermatt tops the European drinking
holes charts with its solar-powered
restaurant above its glacier ski area at
3883m. Like The Snow Centre, it offers
drinks, as well as skiing, 365 days a
year, but you need more of a head for
heights there.
Giuseppe’s at Telluride (3624m)
is North America’s highest, while in
Asia the mid-station restaurant of the
gondola (3050m) at Gulmarg, India,
provides the highest watering hole for
skiers. There are higher bars in China
and Tibet, but you can’t ski to them.
The small café at Oukaïmeden,
Morocco (3260m), doesn’t serve
alcohol with it being an Islamic nation,
so the highest beer in Africa is served
thousands of miles south, down past
the equator, at the Top Chalet (2874m)
on the Sani Pass in Lesotho.
In Australasia you need to take two
chairlifts up to the Knoll Ridge Chalet
at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu, New
Zealand. At 2020m above sea level it
is the highest café on the continent.
The highest drinking hole in the
world is, or was, at Chacaltaya, Bolivia
(5221m). One visitor described his
heroic battle just to get his glass to his
lips here due to the oxygen shortage.
Sadly, though, the snow slope there
(also the former world highest) has
melted away due to climate change.
But the lowest highest bar, by
altitude and latitude, is at Villa Las
Estrellas (population 34) in Antarctica,
where a 200m Doppelmayr tow will
help you work up a thirst.
The World’s Highest Ski Bars
I
35
Snow Cat, the face of
The Snow Centre, has brought
giggles and snow fun to Sledging
and SnowScooter Parties, events
and snow sessions at the Centre
since it opened over five years ago.
Yet, as an adventurous
little soul, he loves taking the
snowsports skills he’s learnt on
the indoor slopes and putting
them into practice in real
mountain resorts. Snow Cat is
also partial to the occasional
day trip, a bit of sightseeing and
a week or two unwinding on a
beach. In fact, he adores getting
out and about so much that
The Snow Centre has created a
series of mini Snow Cat toys you
can take home with you!
And by “home”, we mean
“take everywhere”! With a
checklist of places he just can’t
wait to visit, Snow Cat comes
equipped with his very own
passport, and he’s just itching for
his next adventure.
Find out how to WIN some
fantastic prizes and start your
own Snow Cat adventure below…
Snow Cat toys and passports
can be purchased for £10 from
The Snow Centre’s reception,
subject to availability.
Need Some Inspiration?
Visit thesnowcentre.com/
SnowCatAdventure to see some
of the amazing places Snow Cat
has already been!Give Snow Cat a new home!
Here, you go, your very own
Snow Cat! Don’t forget, Snow Cat
loves an adventure, so take him
everywhere, complete his passport
and take lots of photos of all the fun
places he visits!
Take Snow Cat on lots of adventures
To the mountains,Solden here we
come!
PASSPORT
EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED KINGDOM
GREAT BRITAIN
AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Take lots of photos & fill Snow Cat’s Passport
f
Snow Cat & Emily in SoldenTimeline About Photos More
Post your best photo to The Snow Centre’s Facebook
page for a chance to WIN a Ski or Snowboard Lesson
My son, Jimmy would like to have his
birthday on the snow. Maybe, Sledging?
What party options do yo have?
share like comment
share like comment
Thanks for my �rst Snowboard Lesson. I had
a great time with my Instructor, Dwayne!
Hi The Snow Centre Team,
When are your next kid’s Ski and Snowboard
Holiday Courses?
Give Snow Cat a new home!
Here, you go, your very own
Snow Cat! Don’t forget, Snow Cat
loves an adventure, so take him
everywhere, complete his passport
and take lots of photos of all the fun
places he visits!
Take Snow Cat on lots of adventures
To the mountains,Solden here we come!
PASSPORT
EUROPEAN UNIONUNITED KINGDOMGREAT BRITAINAND NORTHERN IRELAND
Take lots of photos & fill Snow Cat’s Passport
f
Snow Cat & Emily in Solden
Timeline About Photos More
Post your best photo to The Snow Centre’s Facebook
page for a chance to WIN a Ski or Snowboard Lesson
FacebookMy son, Jimmy would like to have his
birthday on the snow. Maybe, Sledging?
What party options do yo have?
share like comment
share like comment
Thanks for my �rst Snowboard Lesson. I had
a great time with my Instructor, Dwayne!
Hi The Snow Centre Team,
When are your next kid’s Ski and Snowboard
Holiday Courses?
TAKE A SNOW CAT SELFIE
Give Snow Cat a new home!
Here, you go, your very own
Snow Cat! Don’t forget, Snow Cat
loves an adventure, so take him
everywhere, complete his passport
and take lots of photos of all the fun
places he visits!
Take Snow Cat on lots of adventures
To the mountains,Solden here we
come!
PASSPORT
EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED KINGDOM
GREAT BRITAIN
AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Take lots of photos & fill Snow Cat’s Passport
f
Snow Cat & Emily in SoldenTimeline About Photos More
Post your best photo to The Snow Centre’s Facebook
page for a chance to WIN a Ski or Snowboard Lesson
My son, Jimmy would like to have his
birthday on the snow. Maybe, Sledging?
What party options do yo have?
share like comment
share like comment
Thanks for my �rst Snowboard Lesson. I had
a great time with my Instructor, Dwayne!
Hi The Snow Centre Team,
When are your next kid’s Ski and Snowboard
Holiday Courses?
For a chance to WIN a FREE Adult or Junior Group Ski or Snowboard Lesson at The Snow Centre, post a picture of your Snow Cat toy on an adventure to
The Snow Centre’s Facebook Page. If your photo appears on the ‘Snow Cat
Adventure’ page on The Snow Centre’s website, you’ve won yourself a prize!
Prizes are subject to availability and further terms and conditions may apply.
Parents or guardians should post to The Snow Centre’s Facebook Page.
www.facebook.com/TheSnowCentre
Give Snow Cat a new home!
Here, you go, your very own Snow Cat! Don’t forget, Snow Cat loves an adventure, so take him
everywhere, complete his passport and take lots of photos of all the fun places he visits!
Take Snow Cat on lots of adventures
To the mountains,Solden here we come!
PASSPORT
EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED KINGDOM
GREAT BRITAIN
AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Take lots of photos & fill Snow Cat’s Passport
f
Snow Cat & Emily in Solden
Timeline About Photos More
Post your best photo to The Snow Centre’s Facebook
page for a chance to WIN a Ski or Snowboard Lesson
FacebookMy son, Jimmy would like to have his birthday on the snow. Maybe, Sledging?What party options do yo have?
share like comment
share like comment
Thanks for my �rst Snowboard Lesson. I hada great time with my Instructor, Dwayne!
Hi The Snow Centre Team, When are your next kid’s Ski and SnowboardHoliday Courses?
WIN
36
The resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl has all
the right ingredients to make it universally
appealing to skiers and snowboarders.
THE DIAMOND
OF THE ALPS
37
With its spectacular
mountain views, long,
snow-sure season with
an early start and
elegant, peaceful
atmosphere, the resort
of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
well deserves its
moniker, “the diamond of the Alps”. Off the beaten
track in the Austrian Alps, Obergurgl is the highest
parish in the country. Alongside the satellite
village of Hochgurgl, this resort offers a traffic-free
retreat which keeps regulars coming back year
after year.
Early To Open, Late To ShutObergurgl-Hochgurgl’s location at 1930m means
it spends much of the season covered with snow.
Its 110km of pistes, stretching from 1800m to over
3000m, are primed and prepared for the resort’s
opening in the middle of November, and the
impressive altitude allows them to remain open
until May. We’ve experienced it for ourselves
when shooting the magazine’s fashion features in
late April, when snow quality was still impressive
(see this month’s results, p60).
So Much To OfferNot only does the ski area offer a long season
of reliable snow, it also provides a great range of
quiet and crowd-free pistes. There are brilliant runs
for intermediates, beginners and families, while all
abilities will enjoy the ski-in/ski-out convenience
offered by the resort.
For breathtaking panoramic views of the Ötztaler
Alps stretching out to the silhouette of the famous
Dolomites in the south, head to the Top Mountain
Star viewing platform at 3080m, the summit of the
resort’s ski area. Here you can take in fabulous,
unparalleled views of 21 mountain peaks higher than
3000m.
A World AwayA combination of unspoilt scenery, a traditional
Tirolean atmosphere and the friendly, intimate
nature of the village makes Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
an incredibly attractive destination for those fond of
the finer things in life. And though it might feel like a
different world, it is conveniently only two hours from
Innsbruck. In keeping with its comfortable way of life,
the resort offers an indulgent spa culture – or, for
more animated après, you can always let your hair
down in a host of bars with DJs and dancing.
1930m Resort 1795m to 3080m Slopes24 Lifts110km Pistes32% blue 50% red 18% black
FAST FACTS
www.obergurgl.comNew for 2014–15 there’s an Audi Funpark at the
“Bruggenbobenlift” Chairlift, an extension of snow-
making facilities and freeride safety checkpoints by
ORTOVOX.
GETTING THERE: Obergurgl is about two hours away
from Innsbruck by car, the nearest airport, which you
can fly to directly from the UK, while the nearest train
station, Oetz, is 45 minutes away. There are regular
buses from the station.
PICS: O
TZTAL TO
URISM
S / CH
RISTOPH
SCH
OEC
H.C
OM
/ FLO
RIAN
WA
GN
ER
38
now Angel
Nannies are the
perfect solution for
families seeking
childcare in Alpe
d’Huez, Les Deux
Alpes, Meribel, La
Tania, Courchevel, Tignes, Morzine,
Les Gets and Avoriaz.
Snow Angel Nannies
pride themselves on
ensuring that you and your children
have the best holiday possible with
the children enjoying activities like
arts and crafts, snowman building,
sledging, treasure hunts etc.
You will be able to relax and enjoy
your day on the slopes knowing
that your children are having a
wonderful time with their fully
trained and experienced Snow
Angel Nanny.
Flexibility is a key
part of their service,
offering the ability to meet for
lunch and adapt to your schedule.
All Snow Angel Nannies hold
relevant childcare and first aid
qualifications, are CRB/DBS
checked and are carefully selected
for their caring, mature and
responsible nature.
www.snowangelnannies.co.uk
f you’re looking to
learn to ski better
at any level, or
even become a ski
instructor yourself,
TipTop Ski Coaching
is your answer.
Run by two professional ski
instructors and coaches, Alex
and Nele, the company offer a
huge range of courses for all
ages and levels, every summer
on the Les Deux Alpes glacier in
France.
Options already available to
book for summer 2015 include
an 8 week GAP instructor
training course. There are also
performance and race camps.
On family weeks you can learn
alongside your children and race
them in a fun family dual slalom at
the end of the week!
Courses all involve mornings
skiing with your fantastic
experienced coaches and the
afternoons spent enjoying
summer mountain activities.
www.tiptopskicoaching.com
Snow Angel Nannies TipTop Ski Coaching
S I
Bilingual Bilingual - reverse
English tag English tag - reverse
French tag French tag - reverse
English tag b & w English tag b & w - reverse
French tag b & w French tag b & w - reverse
BASSBritish Alpine Ski School - The Elite Network of Ski Schools in the Alps
Recommended by
BASSbritish alpine ski & snowboard schoolwww.britishskischool.com
Training Just Got A Whole Lot More FunTraining Just Got A Whole Lot More FunSkiA Ski Trainer
Find Out More: skia.com
SkiA Ski Trainer
The unique new dry-land balance trainer, for skiers
39
he snow
in indoor
snow
centres
can be
different
in texture to that in regular
outdoor ski areas, and the
build-up of static electricity
can be significant. The
addition of graphite to
indoor waxes ensures that
your bases repel the static
build-up.
Performing your own ski or
board maintenance is easy –
and on indoor snow it is highly
recommended, according
to DataWax. They are the
UK’s biggest manufacturer
of ski and snowboard care
products, and with 30 years’
experience they are experts
on ski and board tuning. It is
essential to know your own
kit, so servicing will make your
skiing or snowboarding easier,
less tiring and more fun.
DataWax Graphite Training
and Graphite Race waxes
are designed especially for
indoor snow use.
Graphite Training is the
longest lasting graphite wax
there is, making it ideal for
training sessions because
equipment will have the
protection, speed and
nourishment for the entire
session.
Graphite Race is the
hardest of the Graphite
waxes, making it the ideal
race wax for indoor snow
surfaces. This wax has great
protective qualities but, more
importantly, is fast and hard
enough to resist the abrasive
nature of indoor snow.
All DataWax snow waxes
are packaged in new 110g
plastic clamshells for easy
access and safe storage.
DataWax also stock all the
additional hardware you
require to maintain your gear.
DataWax.com is the place to
find all the products you need
and contains a helpful and
detailed ‘How To’ section.
This takes you step by step,
in clear and simple language,
through the process required
to service your equipment.
DataWax products are
stocked in over 100 shops
and snowsport centres
across the UK, so look out for
them at your local slope or in
your nearest shop!
Use DataWax to keep
your gear in top condition
any time, extending its life
and making your skiing or
snowboarding easier, safer
and more effective.
DataWax Supply The Best Wax For Indoor Snow
T
Datawax InfoEmail: [email protected]
Tel: 0784 8106258
‘How To’ ‘Wax Guide’ and ‘Wax Info’ at:
www.Datawax.com
Scan for more info on Graphite Races and Graphite Training
40
ShortSkiShop.ComThe
Adult Short Skis and Ski Blades from 80cms -136cmsNot enjoying your skiing?
Nervous/Anxious?Not as fit as you once was?
Want to ski steep slopes in confidence?Suffered an injury?
The Answer = short skisThe perfect tool for novices and experts
www.theshortskishop.com
Call: 020 7801 1080www.alpineanswers.co.uk
AlpineAnswersNo one knows family ski holidays like us!
At ALPINE ANSWERS we use over twenty two years of holiday planning experience to offer the ultimate chalet and hotel collection.We also know the best family friendly resorts and operators, so call us when you are thinking where to take your next family ski holiday.
41
The world record on snowNot content with introducing many additional
needs students to snowsports and giving them
pride in their new skills, Richard and Snowbility
worked with The Snow Centre to offer his
students the chance to achieve a world record
on snow.
The record, officially recognised by Guinness
World Records (GWR), was to achieve the
“greatest distance on an indoor slope in 12 hours
(team)”. This meant completing at least 500km or
3,921 runs, or more, of The Snow Centre’s Main
Slope within the 12-hour period as a team.
On 1 May 2014 at 8am, with more than 250
skiers at the ready, it was time to set about
completing the record. Skiing down the Main
Slope until 8pm, the event saw Snowbility’s
instructors, organisers, The Snow Centre’s team
members and guests, Snowbility’s students with
autism, dyspraxia, ADHD, visual and hearing
impairments, dyslexia, chromosome disorders
and Asperger’s, all taking part alongside
snowboard instructors on skis and Paralympian
Anna Turney. It was evident the attempt was
widely supported.
Mike Penning MP, the Minister of State for
Disabilities, sounded the horn for the first run of
the day and from then on spectators excitedly
watched the clock as the board tallied each
run. After some fantastic efforts from all the
participants and volunteers, the 3,921 runs
were completed well within the required time.
There wasn’t much opportunity to celebrate; the
skiers kept going right up until 8pm to achieve
a total of 5,608 runs, 714km or 444.29m. This
was the greatest distance ever skied in 12 hours
on an indoor ski slope by any team. In fact, the
distance actually skied was just two miles short
of reaching Switzerland!
“I’m just so proud of everyone involved and,
most importantly, I’m at my happiest when I
see all my students achieving something that
most people only ever dream about. Just think
what they can do if we can break down a few
more barriers for them,” said Snowbility founder,
Richard Fetherston.
Snowbility has been coaching people with
additional needs and inspiring them to get into
snowsports since 2011. Three years on, they have
opened new doors for many adults and kids, and
even set a Guinness World Record on snow.
Snowbility “Because of my poor sight, my friends are
always better than me at football, rugby and
cricket, but they can’t ski like I can, and I know
that if I keep training with Richard I might be
able to ski in the Paralympics one day.”
The words of Sonny McAnulty, age 11, a great
skier, a Snowbility snowsports student and
Guinness World Record holder. There are many
people like Sonny who have various additional
needs that can mean taking part in team sports
is difficult. However, skiing or snowboarding
isn’t a team sport; it is an activity where there
are no complex rules, just a repetitive pattern
that is great for improving such things as
fitness, balance, confidence and self-esteem.
Snowbility is the brainchild of Ski Development
Coach, Richard Fetherston, and was established
with the aim of using snowsports coaching to help
students with additional needs, and specifically
autism, to show to themselves and their families
and friends that they have amazing natural abilities
just waiting to be expressed.
During Snowbility’s coaching sessions, instructors
tailor the lessons specifically to each student,
working with their parent, carer or school to
understand their individual requirements. Taking
place at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead,
these sessions are giving
children like Sonny the opportunity to enjoy
a sport and excel in it.
“We work with the students to understand
how they react, reading their non-verbal
communication and ability to balance and relate
to other users, and we reward and chart their
progress,” said Richard.
For more information about Snowbility’s coaching
sessions, please contact Richard Fetherston on
07713 888199 or email [email protected].
www.snowbility.co.uk
Twitter @Snowbility Facebook /Snowbility
Mike Penning, MP and Richard Fetherston, Snowbility Founder
A GUINNESS WORLD
RECORD AT THE SNOW CENTRE
42
Anyone for après, an Alpine-inspired meal or watching the action on the slopes?
A TASTE OF THE ALPS IN THE LODGE
BAR & KITCHENt can be as much a part of your trip to the
mountains as your time on the slopes; a
good meal in the Alps or a thorough Après
session can complete your holiday! And at
The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead, the
team know all about delivering the ultimate
Alpine experience on UK soil!
The Snow Centre’s restaurant, The Lodge Bar & Kitchen,
boasts a fantastic view over the slopes and offers everyone
the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the Alps. Whether you’re
hitting the slopes for a ski or snowboard session or not,
The Lodge is the ideal place to enjoy a Paulaner, a glass
of Glühwein or cup of Eros Coffee. It is also one of the few
UK places where you can order an Alpine-inspired Wiener
Schnitzel, Tartiflette or Mushroom Stroganoff in a cosy,
Austrian-themed setting.
It’s great for families, friends, kids or adult parties, groups
and corporate events! With FREE wi-fi, private rooms
available for hire, a designated kids’ menu and Sky Sports
shown live (for those must-see events), everyone is
welcome in The Lodge.
And you don’t have to leave the slopes to enjoy the Alpine
warmth of The Lodge Bar & Kitchen; the team also serve
FREE hot drinks in the centre’s on-slope Schuss Bar at the
bottom of the Main Slope. So you can take a couple of
runs and then break for a quick refreshment, without even
removing your skis or snowboard.
Keep an ear out for those Bavarian band nights! Since its
opening in October 2013, The Lodge Bar & Kitchen has
become known for its light-hearted and cheerful Bavarian-
themed band nights. And it’s not surprising these events are
in great demand; with traditional Alpine dishes and drinks
combined with a resident Oompah Band playing throughout
the evening, everyone can be sure to get into the Alpine spirit.
The Lodge has also had more than its fair share of
celebrity visits, with household names such as Tara
Palmer-Tomkinson, Melinda Messenger, Amy Childs, Noel
Fielding and Sinitta all feasting there – not to mention the
steady flow of winter athletes rolling through the doors!
From Graham Bell, Emily Sarsfield and Ed Drake to Jenny
Jones, Aimee Fuller, Jamie Nicholls and Billy Morgan, it
seems The Lodge is the place to be when you’re not on the
slopes.
For more information on The Lodge Bar & Kitchen
please visit thesnowcentre.com
Facebook /TheLodgeBK Twitter @TheLodgeBK
I
43
Make Your Own Tartiflette
Tartiflette is one of the great pleasures of a ski holiday lunch by the slopes, so we asked The Abinger Cookery School, an innovative new cookery school in Surrey set up by a niche team of culinary enthusiasts, The school is run by lifetime foodie and majority owner, Lewis Davies, and the gourmet ski chalet company, Fish & Pips.
Ingredients1.3kg waxy potatoes, skin left on2 tbsp butter1 onion, thinly sliced200g smoked bacon lardons150ml dry white wine200ml whipping cream1 reblochon1 clove of garlic
Method1. Boil the potatoes in well-salted water until just tender to
a fork, but not cooked right through. Drain well and leave to cool.
2. Meanwhile, melt half the butter in a frying pan and sauté the onions and bacon until the onions are soft and both are beginning to brown. Tip in the wine, bring to a simmer, and reduce to nearly nothing. Stir in the cream off the heat.
3. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark six. Cut the potatoes into smallish cubes (roughly 1cm). Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan and sauté them until golden. Cut the cheese in half horizontally.
4. Rub an ovenproof dish with the cut clove of garlic, then cover the base with half the potatoes. Spoon over half the onion and bacon mixture and season well. Top with half the reblochon then repeat the layers, with the remaining reblochon half, rind uppermost, on top.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until browned and bubbling (stick it under the grill for five more minutes if you want it really crisp).
If all goes well, this recipe will serve six. If you really want to do it properly, though, best sign up for one of the new Chalet Cookery Courses offered by The Abinger Cookery School via abingercookeryschool.com
44
With six medals, Sochi
2014 proved the most
successful Winter
Games ever for
ParalympicsGB! As the
British Disabled Ski
Team’s (BDST) official
UK training base,
The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead continues to
work with Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) to offer
and promote opportunities within adaptive
snowsports for people with disabilities.
The skier’s and boarder’s charity, DSUK, offers
adaptive coaching to allow anyone with a
disability to ski or snowboard alongside other
people, and it’s initiatives such as these that have
and will continue to benefit many people,
including The Snow Centre’s Ambassador, Anna
Turney, who took 4th in the Super-G, 6th in the
Slalom, and 8th in the Giant Slalom at Sochi 2014.
Anna told us about her experiences prior to,
during and after the Paralympic Games.
Q: What’s it like to have been a competitor in two Paralympic Games?AT: Competing in both the Sochi and Vancouver
Paralympics were achievements I am very proud
of. I was the newest member of the team in
Vancouver, the newest skier on the circuit, and
I took that experience into Sochi. I did feel a lot
more pressure at Sochi and it was much more
stressful, but both Games were really exciting.
It was an honour to be part of Britain’s most
successful Winter Paralympic Team ever, and I am
delighted to have had the opportunity to showcase
how extreme disability ski racing can be.
Q: Before an accident in 2006 where you broke your back, you were a Snowboard Racer. Now as a Paralympic Ski Racer, what tips do you have for people with a disability or injury who want to start snowsports?AT: I think that anyone who wants to compete,
able-bodied or disabled, needs determination,
drive and passion for their chosen sport. There
are often very real challenges to overcome and
turn into opportunities. For example, I have never
been a funded athlete and have had to work
hard to fund my training, which has meant
building relationships with sponsors like
The Snow Centre – I have learnt a lot more life
skills than if it had been handed to me on a plate. I
really think that there are parallels between
success in sport and success in other aspects of
life such as work. Setting short- and long-term
goals can help, but we should never forget to
celebrate our achievements along the way!
Q: How has training at The Snow Centre helped your journey within snowsports?AT: I love training at The Snow Centre; there is
such a light and happy atmosphere and it is really
important to keep training when in the UK in
preparation for skiing in the mountains.
Q: How do foundations such as DSUK and Snowbility provide snowsports activities for snow lovers with additional needs and disabilities?AT: The beauty of skiing is that anyone can do it,
regardless of disability, and that is the message
that DSUK and Snowbility help to spread as well
as providing opportunities for disabled people to
ski, using the right equipment and learning from
experts.
Q: What’s next for Anna Turney?AT: I’m continuing with the motivational speaking
work for schools and businesses and youth
work for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, which is
a challenge I really enjoy. I am also organising
a fundraiser for the Trust in autumn thanks to
The Snow Centre. I am really enjoying spending
some time with my husband and family. I’m still
training at the University of Birmingham, playing
wheelchair basketball locally and getting outside,
hand cycling and kayaking.
DOUBLE PA RALYMPIAN ANNA TURNE Y TELLS ALL!
45
PIC
: MIC
HA
EL T
RUEL
OV
E PI
KEPH
OTO
GRA
PHY.
CO
.UK
DOUBLE PA RALYMPIAN ANNA TURNE Y TELLS ALL!
Disability Snowsport UK adaptive coachingIf you’re interested in adaptive snowsports lessons
or know someone with a disability that would like
to know more, The Snow Centre are proud to work
in partnership with Disability Snowsport UK who
provide adaptive ski lessons to anyone with any
disability on their slopes.
DSUK’s specialist adaptive instructors can
provide 1:1 tuition or group lessons at
The Snow Centre, and their adaptive equipment
ensures that everyone has the opportunity to access
snowsports. To book your lesson with DSUK at
The Snow Centre or for more information call
0845 521 9338 or visit disabilitysnowsport.org.uk.
Anna TurneyParalympic Ski Racer
46
Spectacular Slopes Of course, most ski areas are situated in
beautiful locations, but some are a little
more spectacular than others. Here are
some stunners to consider.
Lake Louise, CanadaSkiers used to the Alps who head ‘across the
pond’ to North America sometimes complain that
the scenery is a bit bland by comparison. That’s
certainly not the case with Lake Louise; the Rocky
Mountains here are all you ever hoped for and
more. A massive wall of mountains emerges
across the plain as you drive west from Calgary. It
becomes clearer as epic mountains surrounded
by pristine forest and lakes as you get closer, truly
awesome.
Alta Badia, ItalyWherever you are in the Dolomites, the mountains
are stunning, as the massive pink stone precipices
tower up and seem to glow at sunrise and sunset.
The view of the Sella Massif and Marmolada are
particularly impressive from Alta Badia.
Zermatt, SwitzerlandThe Matterhorn is something phenomenal. While
most mountains are found in a line with their
brothers and sisters, this iconic peak stands alone,
dominating the skyline above car-free Zermatt
and making it a very special place indeed.
Nevis Range, ScotlandYes, there are some spectacular sites close to
home – from Nevis Range you can look out
beyond Fort William to Scotland’s picturesque
West coast and the islands beyond.
Sölden, AustriaWith several lifts and ski runs on terrain
extending above 3000m, it’s no surprise that
Sölden offers magnificent Alpine views from its
slopes. The stylish new Ice Q restaurant, which
opened at the top of the slopes last season,
has huge glass walls so you can take it all in.
GreenlandOK, almost no one skis here, but some well-
heeled expert skiers do, usually using a
helicopter to ascend. They’re rewarded with
pristine white slopes of untracked powder
leading down to a blue (if slightly cold) ocean,
perhaps with a few shining icebergs floating
in it. The pictures look amazing if you Google
‘Greenland heliski’.
Treble Cone, New ZealandIf you’ve been impressed by the scenery in The
Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings movies, this
is one of the best centres for seeing and skiing
them first hand.
Niseko, JapanAlthough you’ll have heard the name because of
its famous deep powder snow, Niseko’s slopes
lie opposite the perfect volcano of Yotei, said to
be a 50% replica of Fuji, and an impressive sight
from virtually every point in the resort and on the
slopes.
Pic Du Midi, FranceDown in the French Pyrenees there’s a century-
old observatory reached by its own cable car
which is now adopted by freeriders to make some
spectacular descents. The views of the peaks
from the top are amazing.
It’s great to be able to ski or snowboard whenever you like at The Snow Centre, but when you do travel to the mountains it can be extra special if the resort you choose not only offers great ski runs down, but also spectacular scenery to enjoy whilst you descend too.
Zermatt
Lake Louise
GreenlandPIC
: HA
NS SO
LMSSEN
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Greenland
Get the UK’s biggest ski magazine free, fi nd last minute holiday deals, access premium ski content, exclusive competitions, unique ski hotel, chalet guides and the world’s best snow reports
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48
SLOPE OFF THIS WINTERBOOK YOUR TRAIN TO 1000s OF SNOW, SKI & CITY DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPE WITH VOYAGES-SNCF.COM
START PLANNING YOUR SKI TRIP TODAYONLINE: VOYAGES-SNCF.COM
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12861 Voyages SNCF half page ad_REV[M].indd 1 28/08/2014 14:22
hese days you
no longer have to
choose between
an apartment, hotel
or chalet for your
accommodation in
the Alps, as more
and more resorts are offering you the
chance to stay in an igloo or entire
hotel made of snow – perhaps for a
one-night novelty during your regular
ski holiday or, if you like, the whole
week.
It’s more than 20 years since
the world famous Ice Hotel was
conceived and built in the Arctic
Circle of Northern Sweden. It has
gone from strength to strength
and is now a major facility with its
superstructure fabricated in cold
storage prior to construction in
December, when temperatures are
low enough and ice carving artists
are hard at work in giant freezers
preparing the artwork that will adorn
its interior once open.
Every spring the Ice Hotel melts back
into the neighbouring river, and every
autumn a brand new one is built.
But over the years more northern
communities have built ice hotels, and
in the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees,
more and more resorts are offering
igloos in which to spend a holiday.
Whichever you choose, the sleeping
experience will be similar, essentially
within an ice cave at around -5C,
in a thermal sleeping bag. Most
of the snowy establishments are
home to bars where you can drink
coloured vodkas in ice shot glasses.
Some even have hot tubs, and a big
advantage of many is that they’re built
at the top of the mountain so you can
enjoy wonderful clear skies for star
gazing then enjoy first tracks next
morning while everyone else is down
at the bottom queuing for the lifts to
open.
Sleeping on Snow
TResorts With Snow Accommodation:Andorra: Grandvalira
Finland: Levi, Yllas, Saariselka
France: La Plagne
Germany: Garmisch
Slovenia: Kranjska Gora
Switzerland: Davos, Engelberg, Gstaad, Les Cerniers, Zermatt.
Blue Marine Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Iglu Dorf
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Iglu Dorf
LAAX – YOUR No. 1 FREESTYLE RESORT
50
THE PRIZES…→ A canvas signed by Winter Olympian,
Aimee Fuller
→ Two places on a freestyle course with Definition Coaching
→ A ski cross coaching session with Winter Olympian, Ed Drake
→ A Salomon Snowboard signed by Winter Olympian, Jamie Nicholls
→ A Private Ski or Snowboard Lesson at The Snow Centre
→ A Travel bag from Snow & Rock
→ A Season Lift Pass at The Snow Centre
→ A BMW car for the weekend
→ A Head Snowboard
→ A Family Private Ski or Snowboard Lesson at The Snow Centre
→ A meal for two in The Lodge Bar & Kitchen
→ A Winter Jacket from Columbia
WIN SNOW PRIZES YOU CAN’T BUY!
Please note competition and prize terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.thesnowcentre.com/about/terms for details.
thesnowcentre.com • snowandrock.com • salomonsnowboard.com • jamienichollsuk.com aimeefuller.co.uk • definitioncamps.com • columbiasportswear.co.uk • specialistcars.co.uk
eddrake.org | twitter.com/eddrake
The Snow Centre and their ‘snowy’ partners not only like to offer you great snowsports experiences and kit; now and again they like to give it away for FREE! Once a month you have the chance to WIN yourself anything from a Private Ski or Snowboard Lesson at The Snow Centre to the latest snow gear from Snow & Rock. Plus there are prizes you can’t even buy, such as a season pass for The Snow Centre or signed merchandise from Jamie Nicholls and Aimee Fuller.
For your chance to WIN visit booking.thesnowcentre.com/ui/signup and sign up to The Snow Centre’s newsletter to keep up-to-date with all their latest news and offers.
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THE WORLD’S BEST SNOW SPORTS BRANDS AT THE SNOW CENTRE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
• Test all the latest skis and snowboards with our Demo Pool*
• Get your equipment serviced at our onsite workshop*
• Master boot fitters in-store • Experienced staff
Snow+Rock, The Snow Centre, St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9NH, Tel: 01442 250099
Eight other stores across London and South East:Brighton • Chertsey • Romford • Port Solent • Covent Garden • Kensington • Monument
For a full list of all stores and to see our full range go to: www.snowandrock.com • Hemel Hempstead store includes Cycle Surgery. *Chargeable on site.
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ODLO.COM
THE ART OF LAYERING FALL-WINTER 14/15
