Slopestyle Series 2010

The 2010 Slopestyle Series is hosted by The Remarkables, and takes place in four parts. Due to weather conditions, the event was moved to the 18th of September 2010, and organizers are getting ready to welcome the top skiing athletes from various countries, and local athletes, to this world class series. Approximately fifty athletes will be taking part in the event.The terrain park at The Remarkables will serve as the venue, and spectators are welcome to join in the festivities and skiing action.

Additional details in regard to the event can be found at http://www.nzski.com/events.jsp?site=theremarkables&category=2.

Date: 18 September 2010
Venue: The Remarkables
City: Queenstown
Country: New Zealand

Val Thorens Ski Area

Located at an altitude of 2,300 meters in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, Val Thorens is the highest ski village in Europe, offering ski-in-ski-out convenience no matter where you choose to stay. For the comfort and security of guests, and taking into account the need to preserve this pristine environment, the village is largely pedestrian, with vehicles restricted to certain areas and large parking garages conveniently located.

While skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions at Val Thorens, a wide range of other activities ensure that every moment of your vacation is a pleasure. If you prefer a more leisurely manner of exploring the area, you can join one of the snowshoeing expeditions on offer, or meander along a walking trail. For a four-wheeled adrenaline rush, you may want to test your driving skills on the Alain Prost ice-racing track under the supervision of skilled instructors of the Ice Driving Academy. There is also the option of riding the slopes on two wheels as part of a MTB group, led by a state qualified instructor. Be prepared for plenty of thrills, and maybe a few spills, before reaching the bottom and the reward of a warming cup of mulled wine.

Another fast-paced activity for adrenaline junkies is snowmobiling, with guided trails taking place every evening during season. Paragliding offers an awe-inspiring bird’s eye view of this picturesque region, which is part of the renowned Les Trois Vallees (Three Valleys) of the French Alps. The Val Thorens Snowpark, located on the plateau of the ski area, offers a freestyle course suited to all levels of experience. Stretched out over a 70,000 square meter area, the Snowpark offers skiers and snowboarders a range of challenging jumps, rails and boxes, while the Jump’Air shock-absorbing mattress allows for some acrobatics with a greater level of safety.

Val Thorens boasts the longest toboggan track in France, which kids of all ages can enjoy. So let your inner child go wild on this six kilometer run, starting at the foot of the spectacular Glacier de Peclet and following a groomed trail with banked turns, angled pitches and a whole lot of fun and excitement. Children from five years and older are permitted to go solo, and children between the ages of 5 and 10 years can enjoy a free ride if they ride tandem with a paying adult.

Other activities and features of the Val Thorens Ski Area include off-piste skiing, glacier touring, ultra-light excursions and walking trails, as well as a beauty center, health and wellness spa and sports center – truly something for everyone.

Snow Themed Family Fun Day 2010

The real snow indoor centre in Manchester, Chill Factor, will be hosting a Snow Themed Family Fun Day on 10 August 2010, which will feature a variety of activities that the whole family will enjoy. Some of the adventures to look forward to includes meeting real reindeer, Nintendo Wii Gaming, snowboard simulator, face painting, snow play, sledging, tubing and skiing and snowboarding lessons. It is guaranteed to be a day of fun and excitement.

Visit the Chill Factor website at http://www.chillfactore.com/main/rightgeneric/Events?newsId=112 for more information in regard to the Snow Themed Family Fun Day.

Date: 10 August 2010
Venue: Chill Factor
City: Manchester
Country: United Kingdom

Glade Skiing Action

Snow skiing is a popular winter sport in many parts of the world, and keen skiers often enjoy an off-the-beaten-track challenge – and glade skiing fits the bill. Glade skiing is basically any sort of downhill skiing that takes place through trees. But this doesn’t mean that anything goes, as most ski resorts have boundaries and restrictions imposed for the safety of skiers. Boundaries prevent skiers from inadvertently encroaching on busy trails, as well as keeping them clear of major hazards such as large streams and cliffs.

While boundaries may be set and major hazards identified, glade skiing remains a sport most suited to advanced and experienced skiers as an element of danger remains. In addition to the trees themselves, there are countless smaller hazards such as tree wells, logs, creeks and streams which require sharp reflexes and considerable skill to negotiate. Moreover, it is more difficult for rescue teams to reach glade skiers should the need arise.

While people living in remote areas may have been using skiing as a means of getting around for decades, in recent years it has been gaining popularity as an extreme sport, with more and more resorts opening up gladed areas that had previously been out of bounds. For your own safety and wellbeing, there are some points to keep in mind if you want to try your hand at glade skiing. Firstly, be aware that glade skiing requires a high level of competence as a skier, and most glades are Black Diamond graded. If you come across a barricaded or roped off area it is because experts have deemed it unsafe to enter – respect that. As these vast areas have limited patrolling, never ski alone and be sure to carry a radio or cell phone. A helmet and goggles are essential, as even small twigs can prove hazardous to your eyes and face, and head-butting a tree without a helmet is an experience you would rather avoid. Don’t glade ski late in the day, you don’t want to spend the night in the woods if something goes wrong.

Snow skiing enthusiasts who have tried glade skiing generally love the challenge. The solitude of being in the woods, the thrill of uncharted territory and excellent quality of snow (often powder) that has been protected by the trees, keeps them coming back for more.

Kings Cup 2010

The Kings Cup Ski and Snowboarding Championships will be taking place between 9 to 10 July 2010, with a practice day being open before the main attraction, on 8 July 2010. The most talented skiing athletes and snowboarders from South Africa will be attending this event, and displaying their technical skills and talented maneuvers on the white slopes of the Maluti Mountains. Some of the disciplines to look forward to include big air, dual slalom, alpine giant slalom, snowboarding slope style and rails.

To find out more about this exciting event, visit www.afriski.net.

Date: 8 – 10 July 2010
Venue: Afriski Resort
City: Maluti Mountains
Country: Lesotho

FIS Junior Championships 2010

More than two hundred junior athletes have confirmed their presence at the 2010 FIS Junior Championships, which will be hosted by New Zealand this year. With over sixteen countries participating, the championship is gearing up to be an event not to be missed. For the first time, freeskiing and snowboarding will be combined in the championship, with disciplines including ski cross, giant slalom, freeski halfpipe and snowboard big air. This wonderful championship for athletes under the age of twenty, will take place between the 20th to the 31st of August 2010.

For more information in regard to the FIS Junior Championship, visit the official website at www.juniorworldsnz.co.nz.

Date: 20 – 31 August 2010
Venue: Cardrona Alpine Resort and Snow Park
City: Wanaka
Country: New Zealand

Queenstown Winter Festival 2010

For ten days, Queenstown will be hosting their annual Queenstown Winter Festival, which takes place from 25 June to 4 July 2010. Visitors to the festival will be able to enjoy comedy galas, jazz festivals, ice hockey tournaments, skiing competitions, discos and various other winter sports activities. Each year, approximately sixty thousand people attend this festival, and this year is organisers are anticipating the same support as in previous years.

The Queenstown Winter Festival website provides additional information in regard to the festival, tickets and activities, http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/home-2010/home.

Date: 25 June – 4 July 2010
Venue: Various
City: Queenstown
Country: New Zealand

Poncho Blues Festival 2010

Music and winter sport enthusiasts flock to the Big Boulder Ski Area every year, to be a part of the Poncho Blues Festival, which combines wonderful skiing opportunities with top class musical performances. This year, three different stages will bring this festival to life from 23 to 25 July 2010. There will be twenty different acts performing and is known as one of the most popular blues festivals, with festival goers travelling from more than ten countries, to attend this vibrant event.

To view festival regulations or find out more information in regard to ticket pricing, visit the website at http://www.jfbb.com/poconoblues.com.

Date: 23 – 25 July 2010
Venue: Big Boulder Ski Area
City: Lake Harmony
Country: United States of America

Snowy Mountains of Music 2010

There is no better way to kick of the skiing season in Australia, than to attend the Snowy Mountains of Music 2010. Combining breathtaking skiing and snowboarding opportunities and magnificent concerts, Perisher Blue is opening its slopes up in style. There will be a host of music genres to look forward to, including acoustic performances and poetry. Artists such as Big Snore Hammers, Carol Heuchan, Jeff Lang, Rough Red, The Barons of Tang and Talla Tango, to name a few, have confirmed their attendance at the Snowy Mountains of Music.

For more information in regard to this musical skiing experience, visit the official festival website at http://www.snowymountainsofmusic.com.au/page/festivaloverview.

Date: 11 – 14 June 2010
Venue: Perisher Blue
City: New South Wales
Country: Australia

Katal Landing Pad at Mammoth

Due to superior snowfall during the winter season, Mammoth Mountain will remain open for winter enthusiasts until 4 July 2010. On 22 May 2010, a new Spring Terrain Park will be unveiled, together with the installation of the Katal Landing Pad, which will be open to the public at various times during the day. The Katal Landing Pad, is five feet thick, has a width of 50 feet and is 90 feet in length. It allows skiers and snowboarders to practice tricks and takeoffs without the fear of injury, as so often happens when they practice on the snow.

To be able to perfect take-off and landings, in a safe environment, skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to contact the resort to book a training session. For more information, visit www.MammothMountain.com, or http://katalinnovations.com, to explore the features of the Katal Landing Pad.

Date: 22 – 31 May 2010
Venue: Mammoth Mountain
City: Mammoth Lakes, California
Country: United States of America

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