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The Skill of Ski-Archery

Editor — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:01:06 +0000

Historically used as a weapon for hunting or in combat, today archery is primarily a recreational activity. Archery is sometimes referred to as an art, rather than a sport, and it certainly takes a lot of skill to propel an arrow, by means of a bow, with the accuracy required to hit a target, whether stationary or in motion. Ski-archery, also known as ski-arc, combines the skill of the archer, with the strength and endurance of cross-country skiing in a sport that is gaining quite a following.

It is believed that ski-archery has its roots in the Scandinavian countries, with the first documented evidence being a picture from the mid-1500s of a skier carrying a bow, poised in the shooting position. Ski-archery was established as a sport in the mid-1980s in Italy, and has gone through a number of refinements before being recognized as a competitive sport by the governing body of archery – Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc (FITA) – in 1991. The ski-archery craze soon spread from Italy to France, Germany, Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand and the USA. The International Biathlon Union (which represents a similar sport, but with shooting) and FITA combined forces to develop ski-archery as a recognized competitive sport. As of the northern winter season of 2006, FITA became the sport’s official international governing body.

In a ski-archery competition, the archers carry their bows and arrows in a specially designed backpack during the skiing section of the event. Over the 12 kilometer distance for men, and 8 kilometers for women, competitors shoot one end of four arrows every 4 kilometers. In one of those ends, the archer is required to shoot from a kneeling position. The archer’s feet may not lose contact with the skis throughout the competition, so when kneeling to shoot, although the archer may loosen his/her skis for comfort, the feet must remain in contact with the skis. Targets, which are 16 centimeters in diameter, are placed 18 meters from the archer. For each target that is missed, the archer is required to complete a penalty circuit of 350 meters before continuing with the race. The first competitor to cross the finish line is declared the winner.

Archery has come a long way since it was first invented for hunting, possibly in the late Paleolithic or early Mesolithic periods (more commonly referred to as the Stone-Age), with competitions currently being held for target archery, field archery, 3D archery, clout archery, crossbow archery and flight archery. Ski-archery adds yet another challenging dimension to this ancient art.

Ski Orienteering – Skill, Endurance & Quick Thinking

Europe

Editor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:17:10 +0000

Europe offers a diversity of cultures, scenery and activities that makes the continent a very popular holiday destination. For snow skiing enthusiasts, Europe certainly offers a world of possibilities just waiting to be explored. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, winter sports feature prominently in the lives of the locals, producing world class athletes that often dominate competitive winter sports. Visitors to the ski resorts found in these beautiful countries can expect world-class facilities, along with picture postcard scenery.

Italy, Spain and France may be more readily associated with sun-drenched orchards and lazy days on the beach, than with snow skiing. But those who have experienced the vibrant atmosphere and sheer fun quality of a snow skiing holiday at any of the many ski resorts located in Italy, France and Spain know that these European countries have much to offer in the way of superb snow and excellent facilities. If you have not yet done so, why not plan your next snow skiing vacation at one of Europe’s spectacular resorts.

Resorts by Location:

Saint Leonhard

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Saint Leonhard is a top notch ski vacation destination in the middle of the Pitz Valley of Austria’s Tyrol region. Few other villages will give you such a warm welcome, gorgeous setting and extensive tourist facilities.

This lovely village is the base for the Pitztal glacier and skiing areas around it. Pitztal glacier and Rifflsee skiing area are paradise for skiers of all abilities. Accessed by a shuttle, these two sectors have fairly diverse terrain. The high altitude glacier guarantees perfect snow conditions and the skiing is suitable for intermediates and beginners. Skiers and snowboarders will find terrain to suit their ability, though experienced skiers and snowboarders may find the area limited. No one can complain about the extensive artificial snowmaking and the efficient lifts.

The Pitz panorama gondola offers unparalleled views of the mountains and the valley. Once you are up, skimming down untracked powder provides an unforgettable experience. The Pitztal Glacier ski terrain is of a moderate size but the views of the Wildspitze, the highest peak in Tyrol and of Italy are breathtaking. This is a good place to enjoy high altitude skiing though it can be cold or have intensive sun. There is no tree skiing here as the terrain is above the tree line.

The ski resort offers tobogganing at three runs. Arzler Alm in Piasmes is a great choice as there are a number of inns and pubs around to relax later. You can rent toboggans in the village sports shop. St. Leonhard stretches for miles along the valley and offers a wide range of accommodation from the exclusive to the good value hotel, chalets and apartments. You can look forward to a vibrant après ski scene in St. Leonhard at any of its numerous bars and restaurants. The area offers exciting hiking and ice climbing adventures in the Wildspitze area. Austria’s highest mountain railway takes you up to an altitude of 3,440 m with stunning views of Alpine scenery.

Italy

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Turin, or Torino as the locals call it, the capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, is gaining popularity as a winter vacation spot. Located at the base of the Western Alps, in north-western Italy, it is now very much on a skiing vacation map because of the XX Winter Olympics held here in February 2006. The Piedmont region has more than 1,200 miles of ski runs and the Olympic events were spread over resorts, villages and valleys within sixty miles of Turin. The main three Olympic Villages were located in Turin, Sestriere and Bardonecchia but events were also held in neighboring towns of Sauze d’ Oulx, Claviere, Prali and Pragelato.

Needless to say all these are now wonderful vacation resort towns as the infrastructure prepared for the Olympic Games remains very much in place. The Olympic mountain range of the Western Alps is ideal for snow sport but also offers plenty of outdoor activities all through the year, including canoeing and rafting on the beautiful lakes and rivers as well as hiking on scenic walking trails.

Turin Airport has had a massive face-lift and modernization, as has the rest of the city, making it a desirable tourist destination and entry point for other places in western Italy. The Olympic Games, when seven different sports and fifteen different disciplines were played out in eight different competition sites, was an outstanding success, and over 2,600 athletes, 650 judges and umpires and one million spectators were present for two weeks. Facilities are now in place for future vacationers coming for world class skiing.

Skiing is not the only attraction of Turin. It is famous for its chocolates and a ChocoPass entitles visitors to sample the range of chocolates in confectioners, handicraft chocolate-making workshops and Cafes. Turin is also the home of Martini, so a cocktail or aperitivo beside the River Po is not to be missed. There is plenty of night life in the Murazzi and Docks Dora areas and on the streets of the Roman Quarter. Enjoy an evening out in Piazza Castello where a number of historic cafe and restaurants serve traditional Piedmont dishes and superb wines.

Italy Resorts:

Macugnaga

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Macugnaga Monte Rosa, situated at the foot of the eastern face of the spectacular Monte Rosa Mountains in Italy, is an ideal family vacation spot. Nestling in a natural snow bowl it is a picturesque ancient town full of charm with well managed ski areas and excellent facilities for beginners. Perhaps not as boisterous as other vacation ski resorts in the region, Macugnaga Monte Rosa is quiet and secluded, making it a perfect getaway. Just across the border from Saas-Fee in Switzerland, it has an interesting blend of characteristics from both countries.

Two and a half hours away from Milan International Airport, it can be accessed by Skibus transfer services. This peaceful vacation resort has a pleasant, friendly atmosphere, and although it does have a nightclub and several restaurants and bars, it is not of the caliber of other alpine resorts for après-ski. The focus off the slopes here is on other sports such as ice-skating, ice hockey, paragliding, mountaineering and hiking. A museum traces the resort’s history and is a good way to get youngsters interested in other aspects of winter sports.

The views in all directions are spectacular and the slopes are excellent for the beginner and intermediate skier. Macugnaga Monte Rosa has 15 slopes which add up to about 38 kilometers of skiing, and the longest run measures seven kilometers. Over 80 per cent of the runs are suitable for beginners and intermediates, and just around 20 per cent are for advanced skiers. There are two excellent ski schools in the resort where beginners can learn to ski with confidence.

Advanced skiers have some attractive off-piste options in the region. Experts can also take off heli-skiing from here and enjoy the vast mountain slopes above. There is a large off-piste area through woodlands which is suitable for snowboarders, plus an area dedicated to freestyle skiers and snowboarders alike. Twelve lifts, consisting of eight draglifts, two chairlifts and two cable cars service the area and can carry up to 7,800 skiers per hour.

Macugnaga Monte Rosa offers a range of accommodation from chalets to hotels to suit all choices. The ski season runs from December to April and sometimes extends to May.

Val Gardena

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Val Gardena in Italy is considered to be one of the leading ski vacation resorts in the world, comparable with Vail Resorts in America, Bariloche in Argentina, and Queenstown in New Zealand. One of the reasons for it being ranked so high is because it is constantly upgrading its services and facilities. This picturesque resort is well known for its designated skiing slopes and snowboarding areas for different levels of skill. These are maintained in pristine condition and updated regularly before the beginning of the winter vacation season.

Snowboarding is very popular at Val Gardena and resort officials are also constructing a new halfpipe and a snow tubing hill at Plan de Gralba. ne of the highlights of the winter events calendar at Val Gardena ski and snowboard resort is its traditional Alpine skiing World Cup that will take place over two days in the middle of December. This will be mainly for men’s speed events. Another popular attraction that is eagerly awaited by regulars to Val Gardena is their annual winter carnival in February.

Après-ski is a very important part of any skiing vacation and Val Gardena offers many different pleasures. The choice is an international as the visitors to the valley, although there is plenty of local traditional fare to sample.

Val Gardena has installed three new high speed detachable chairlifts to replace some of the older lifts. Each of the new Paradiso Goldknopf-Seiser Alm chairs will be a high speed six pack, replacing an existing fixed grip double chair lift.

Interlaken

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

A skiing vacation in Switzerland is a dream of all avid skiers. Switzerland has more slopes than Austria or Germany and is more formal and better organized than France or Italy. Most ski vacation resorts are within a couple of hours from the larger cities making them easy to access. Interlaken, situated in the heart of German-speaking Switzerland, is the base for some of the most spectacular skiing in the Alps.

Interlaken is the largest resort in the Bernese Oberland and with its excellent amenities it is a popular tourist destination. A beautiful lakeside city better known as a summer vacation resort, Interlaken has always been a favorite with winter sports enthusiasts because of its prime location. Furthermore, its hotels and other facilities offer very low rates during the winter. It is within forty minutes of three of the top Swiss ski resorts, Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren.

Skiing became all the more attractive with the introduction of the Jungfrau Top Ski Regional lift pass. This now gives access to 100 miles of trails in ski centers above Grindelwald, all linked to Interlaken by a mountain railway included in the ski pass. The average length of runs in the area is a remarkable four to nine miles. With the pass, it is possible to ski a different ski area every day for a week. Skiers and snowboarders could easily stay for a month without getting bored.

While the Interlaken is well known for its outstanding ski runs of the intermediate to expert range, there is also a smaller ski area at Beatenberg, closer to Interlaken which is suitable for beginners. Novices can also find a good selection of nursery slopes and gentle slopes to graduate on at Wengen. Intermediates are spoilt for choice in all the skiing centers and will find excellent skiing throughout the area. Experts will find some challenging runs in Wengen and Murren. There is also opportunity for some excellent off piste excitement.

Gliding Down the Slopes in Italy

Editor — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:35:56 +0000

When looking for a skiing destination where the entire family can enjoy their holiday, Passo Tonale is the answer. Families regularly descend on this skiing resort in Italy, as it is reasonably priced and accommodates everyone from beginners to lower intermediate skiers. But it is also the magnificent views, guaranteed snow and the fact the sunny weather can be expected almost every day that lures skiers to Passo Tonale. It is a holiday destination that is peaceful and rejuvenating, and in recent years has become a popular skiing facility for school groups.

Nestled between the regions of Lombardy and Trentino, Passo Tonale is the highest ski resort in Italy. The highest lift is approximately 3 025 meters and the lowest lift is at 1 890 meters. A new area, which includes two pistes and lifts was added to the resort as well as a cable car that links Passo Tonale with Ponte di Legna, offering skiers a continuous eleven kilometer decent into Ponte Legno from Presena. Both sides of the valley are open for skiing and ample accommodation can be found in the nearby village.

Another convenient feature of Passo Tonale, is that there is no overcrowding on the slopes. Access is easy and the slopes provide enough space and adventures to keep skiers busy and moving for days. The resort is also known for its excellent skiing school, with professional instructors who are able to assist first time skiers to learn the art of skiing, and aiding others in perfecting their skills and techniques on the slopes. With more than eighty-seven kilometers of trails, the resort offers eleven easy runs for beginners, on the nursery slopes, with access to six lifts from the village. Intermediate skiers will have fifteen runs to look forward to, and five difficult runs to challenge themselves with. There are more than thirty lifts at the resort to transport skiers to their desired slopes, with the highest point being Monte Venezia, at 3 290 meters.

Other activities at Passo Tonale include swimming, an ice rink, tobogganing, a thirty kilometer cross country skiing course, beauty centre, fitness centre and skidoos. Those who are too tired from a day on the slopes to even think about other activities, will be relieved to hear that there are a few bars and cafÃ©s to choose from for a peaceful evening, and the restaurants offer only the best in local and international cuisine. Supermarkets, specialty shops and sports stores give guests the opportunity to purchase a few forgotten items or get an extra jacket or hat, as Passo Tonale can get a little chilly. For an all round unforgettable holiday adventure, Passo Tonale has much to offer the skiing enthusiasts and visitors wanting to experience the beauty of the Italian slopes.

A Ski Adventure in Alagna Valsesia, Italy

Editor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:07:15 +0000

Alagna Velsesia, in Italy, is located at the foot of the Monte Rosa Mountains. Its existence was documented as far back as the 1500s, although it is believed that small settlements of people lived here long before then. The name “Alagna” refers to settlements of houses, and this magnificent skiing paradise is located approximately seventy kilometers from the Switzerland border. The entire village of Alagna Valsesia forms a massive and beautiful ski resort that you will thoroughly enjoy.

The spectacular mountains and landscapes surrounding the village are breathtaking, and many skiers have commented that skiing here makes them feel at one with the mountain and at peace. Well groomed slopes and near perfect pistes create the wonderful combination of runs for all skiers of various skill levels; with peaceful, smooth runs for the quiet skiers, and thrill, adventure and excitement for those seeking new challenges.

Off piste skiers are recommended to hire one of the local guides or instructors to take them on unforgettable free-style skiing excursion, complete with fast moving verticals and tranquil powder routes. Guides ensure that skiers get the best adventure possible, and enjoy the slopes of the mountain safely. Alagna Valsesia is also home to a hundred and twenty-nine pistes, covering a hundred and eighty kilometers. Beginners will find forty seven kilometers all to themselves, while intermediate skiers have approximately a hundred and twenty kilometers to play with, and ten kilometers of the slopes, referred to as â€˜black’ pistes, are only for the most experienced skiers. With sixty five different routes to choose from, skiers will never get bored at Alagna Valsesia.

The most adventurous part of the Monterosa Ski area is the Alagna Valley, which is where professional skiers will find exhilarating, emotional and high-energy free-riding slopes. There are safe and efficient lift systems in place, making access to the mountain easier for skiers. Some of the lifts have only recently been installed and it is hoped that by 2009 the Balma area will have a lift as well.

Other activities at the this wonderful ski area in Italy include Ice Climbing, Heliskiing, Mountain Climbing, Trekking, Cross Country Skiing, Ski Mountaineering and River Sports. All of the activities at Alagna Valsesia are exciting and test the abilities, sometimes the endurance, of the skiers. After a hard day on the slopes, visitors can enjoy tasty meals in a warm and inviting environment at their accommodations or the local pubs and restaurants. It is the beauty of the slopes, the challenges and the friendly atmosphere that brings skiers back to Alagna Valsesia every year.

The Village of Ortisei

Editor — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:09:55 +0000

Imagine a skiing circuit where you can spend our entire day hopping from slope to slope, while at the same time slicing through some of the best powder to found in the Dolomite region of Northern Italy. The area in question is called the “Sella Ronda” circuit and quite simply, its offers some of the best slopes you’ll ever lay a pair of skis on.

The Sella Ronda (also known as the “Dolomite Superski”) — is an intense, yet pleasurable skiing venture that you can accomplish in a day if you put your mind to it. It covers a 50 kilometre circuit that translates into an amazing network of nearly 1200 kilometres worth of “pistes” (slopes), served by over 450 ski lifts. Ski runs range from difficult (10%) to medium (60%) to easy (30%) so there’s no reason why no one can’t go out and have the time of their lives regardless of skill level.

There are many towns along the way that allow you to pick up the Sella Ronda. One of the most accessible may be the town of Ortisei (1236m) — one Italy’s most prominent ski resorts. Famous for its own set of slopes but more well-known for its great proximity to other ski areas via a free “ski-express bus”, Ortisei is worth your consideration.

Ortisei is actually part of a network of villages ( San Cristina, Selva Gardena and Ortisei) that makes up the “La Val Gardena” (the garden valley), the most popular and well-known skiing area in the Dolomite Region of Alto Adige. The Val Gardena offers over 176 kilometres of downhill ski runs and nearly 100 kilometres of cross-country or “open” ski runs. There 84 ski lifts, and services over 100,000 individuals every season.

Speaking of which, the 2006 ski season officially kicks off on December 2nd and wraps up on April 20, 2007. In order to get from “point A to point B” it’s advisable that skiers take advantage of the Dolomite Skipass (which can be purchased for periods lasting from 1 to 28 days), and which will get you to all ski areas in and around Ortisei and Selva Gardena. A free skibus makes pickups every 15 minutes, and tickets are only 3 euro per week. (Be warned that trying to ride the bus without a paid and validated ticket will result in fines handed out by plainclothes “ski police”).

All that skiing is going to make you want to relax at some point during the day or night, and Ortisei and the surrounding area won’t disappoint. There are 15 “baitas” spread out among the slopes where skiers can relax with some spiced wine, peel out of their ski suits and get some sun or re-fuel with a good meal.

Ten nightclubs and over 20 restaurants round out your itinerary, which means that between skiing all day and partying all night you’ll have very little time left over! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

A few words about Ortisei: certainly one of the most beautiful in the Val Gardena, Established in the 17th century, Ortisei is well known for it’s woodwork and handcrafts, which are painstakingly created during the long winter months and then exported throughout Italy and beyond during the rest of the year. Conveying small town sensibilities with modern shopping pleasures, Ortisei — it’s safe to say — has a little something for everyone. The Val Gardena Museum and many of the Gardens in around the area are worthy of your time, that’s IF you can pry yourself off the slopes.

Ortisei and the Val Gardena area are easily reached from cities throughout Italy: Bolzano 40 km… Verona 190 km… Milan 300 km… Rome 700 km… Venice 250 km… Salzburg 320 km… Innsbruck 120 km… Monaco 300 km… and Zurich 420 km.