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This week’s entry takes a look at some of the apres-ski fun that you can find at most winter resorts… okay so some of them will involve your skis, but they don’t have to!

1) Mush, Mush, Mush!

Dog sledding is one of the most popular winter activities whilst also being a local competitive sport. Driving the dogs or ‘mushing’ is a special skill, but it’s easy to learn the basics and anyone can have a go.

Norway's popular alternative to Dog Sledding!

Many resorts have dog sleigh routes which are suitable for families, corporate groups and couples of all ages. If you don’t fancy mastering the “mush”, an alternative way to experience the alpine scenery is aboard a horse drawn sled, snuggled under a warm blanket with a cup of cocoa. Guide prices from £40 for an hour for up to 4 people.

2) Snow Mobiling for the Fast and the Furious

If you’re looking for an adrenaline fueled way of letting go in the snow, then there’s nothing more satisfying than ripping through the snow in one of these snow beasts!

High Speed thrills with a Snow Mobile ... is that Eddie the Eagle or The Stig?

3) The Thrill of the Night

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the Midday Sun, but Snow Fanatic’s and Thrill seeker’s Ski in the Midnight Moon!

Enjoy the thrill of Skiiing at Night

Most resorts offer night skiing for a small additional charge but normally only occur once a week. If you don’t fancy participating, resorts often have torch lit parades. It’s an amazing site to see a stream of skiers heading down the slopes in near darkness with tourches held high. This used to be done with flaming tourches but more often than not is now done with battery operated lanterns.

4) Sight Seeing and Skiing from Dizzy Heights

Jump on-board a scenic helicopter tour to explore the mountains and glaciers as you’ve never seen them before, or hop off and ski down from the top!

Heli-skiing, a once in a lifetime opportunity... if you have the cash!

Mountains and glaciers are stunning places but viewing them from a helicopter will take your breath away and leave you with life long memories – the only draw back? You’ll have to put at £150 aside for a basic Heli package!

5) Check out the Local Culture

Whilst your focus might be carving some shapes in the snow capped mountains, don’t forget to check out the local culture – you might be missing a trick or two!.

A bit of culture with Ice sculptures at Grotte de Glace, Les Arcs

One such example lies at the top of the Transarc gondola in Arc 2000 where you’ll find the Grotte de Glace. At the start of each season, sculptors from across Europe come here to hand-carve amazing figures out of the snow and ice. Each year, the caves have a different theme, like past years’ Terracotta Army, Chinese dragons and even Attila the Hun!

6) Shop Till You Drop

Those in need of a little après-ski retail therapy can choose from fashionable shops, boutiques, coffee shops and bars at most trendy ski resorts, also handy if you’re looking to loose your wife or partner for a few hours… just keep hold of your wallet!

A bit of retail therapy for the off-piste enthusiast

7) Relax and Soothe those Aching Muscles

Hot Springs and Spa’s are a great way to relax after skiing with some resorts offering out-door spa’s and bathhouses set against spectacular backdrops of alpine scenery. Sooth aching and tired muscles in the comfort of the soothing hot waters – soak in the epson salt baths, take in a massage from classically trained aestheticians, or get covered in a hot mud wrap, one of the most decadent treatments available.

There's nothing better than a long social soak after a hard days graft on the slopes!

Be sure to check out our earlier post, where we looked at a few of the top ski resorts and a little of what to expect from each one. Join us next week when we look back over the blog series and offer you a chance to Win £100 of Snow and Rock Vouchers.

This week’s Winter Sports blog looks at safety and what you can do to avoid accidents and any unfavourable situations whilst on the slopes. If you’re a newbie to the piste or want to brush up on your ski etiquette, don’t forget to check out last week’s post on what to do before you hit the ski slopes.

Keep cool in unfavourable situations, be safe and have fun!

From those little niggles to some of the more serious scenarios, here are some more top tips to help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.

1. Prevention is better than cure!

Ski within your means and be aware of other slope users to avoid a painful accident.

2. Skiing can be tiring so take time out

Tiredness and Fatigue are one of the main catalysts of accidents. Don’t wait until you feel tired, take regular rests and grab a bite to eat

Skiing can be a tiring business. Make sure you grab a break now and then

When you’re on the slopes it’s not always obvious when energy levels start to drop. Skiing and snowboarding is an exhausting activity, ensure that you have regular stops to top up on fluids and some sort of energy snack to see you safely through the day.

3. Respect other slope users

You may be on holiday, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your manners at home! Simple as it may sound, ski slopes can be busy places with fast and slow moving traffic. Basically, treat it like a motorway and don’t do silly things that are likely to endanger others.

Treat a Ski slope as you would a Motorway

• Ski within your ability. Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and to the general conditions on the mountain. Not doing so is one of the quickest ways to an accident and injury.
• Skiers and snowboarders in front have priority. Make sure you leave enough space.
• Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier/snowboarder. If they suddenly turn or stop, you’ll still have space to manoeuvre.
• If merging into a marked run, treat it like a road. Look up and down the mountain before entering to get an idea of what’s happening around you.
• If you need to stop, stop at piste’s edge. You’re less likely to be in the way and more likely to be avoided by other skiers and snowboarders.
• Take note of piste signs and markers. Like any road network, pistes have signs and markings that should be obeyed. They are there for your safety and the safety of other people on the slope.

4. Tips for Skiing or Snowboarding off-piste

Off-piste areas are NOT protected from alpine dangers, so extra care must be taken!

Be mindful of avalanche warnings when skiing off-piste

• Check that your insurance covers off-piste activities
• Look for signs around the ski area which will warn you when avalanche danger is present.
• Even when there is no warning of avalanches, there could be local snow slides.
• Unless you know an area well, only ski/board off-piste with a guide (in the USA, skiing/boarding “out of bounds” without a guide can lead to confiscation of your lift pass).
• If in doubt, stay away and stick to the main piste slopes.

5. What to do if there is an accident

The recognised sign for a piste accident is a pair of crossed skis or a snowboard planted in the snow at least 5 metres above the accident area. If necessary, post someone up the hill to give warning to others and prevent anyone from colliding and causing more damage.

Would you know how to administer first aid, like these guys?

A little bit of First Aid goes a long way
This is where a St John’s First Aid course would come in handy. If the accident is of a more serious nature use these rules to aid the injured:

• Circulation – check for a pulse
• Check that the person’s airway is clear and they are breathing
• Assess the general condition of the casualty
• Do not move them if the injury is obviously back, neck or head-related
• Try to stop any serious bleeding by covering the wound and applying firm pressure
• Provide warmth, but give nothing to eat or drink, especially alcohol
• Do not offer painkillers if you have them

If required, contact the rescue services A.S.A.P
In the event of a more serious accident it’s important to stay calm and contact the rescue services giving clear details of:

• Place of accident (piste name and nearest piste marker)
• Number of people injured
• Type of injury

Ultimately, the safety and well-being of the injured person is your priority, but if you’re able to collect these additional pieces of information it will help if there is police involvement:

• Names and addresses of people involved and of witnesses
• Place, time and circumstances of accident
• Terrain, snow conditions and visibility
• Markings and signs

By following these few simple rules, you’ll hopefully stay safe on the slopes, and if you do come across an accident, you should be able to offer some help.

6. Get the right level of Travel Insurance cover

Accidents do happen. Don’t get caught out with expensive medical bills, make sure your travel insurance caters for your Winter Sports activities.

Be prepared, don't get lumbered with hospital charges

We’ve said it before, but we’re going to say it again. Getting adequate winter sports travel insurance is probably the single most important thing to have in place. For little more than the cost of a nice meal, good insurance cover will not only help with inconvenient issues like stolen or broken equipment; it could also be a life-saver, ensuring that you get prompt and adequate medical treatment without delay, if needed.

Next week…

Join us for the penultimate post in this series where we’ll be looking at apres-ski activities around the resort and sharing some fun pastimes that will provide fun for kids, couples, groups and families.

See you next week!

Last week, we spoke about the different types of ski resorts and accommodation. This week we’ll look at some of the things you should find out and do when you arrive at the resort  before hitting the slopes.

Unwind and relax before hitting the slopes

Although every resort is different, there are some basic rules that will ensure your well-being and safety during your stay.

On arrival at the resort

Explore and familiarise yourself with the resort

Familiarise yourself with your surroundings

Take time to find out where everything is, from bars and restaurants, to some of the more important facilities and landmarks. Being familiar with your surroundings and knowing where everything is from the outset can save time and stress during your stay.

Find the nearest Pharmacy & Chemists

From headaches to hypothermia…be prepared!

From a simple headache to emergency medication and treatment – trying to find the nearest chemist or pharmacy in an unfamiliar place isn’t fun when someone’s in pain or distress.

Make time to locate the nearest pharmacy to your accommodation and ensure that at least several others in your group also know where it is, including the quickest way to get there. If the resort has more than one pharmacy, it may be worth locating the other as a back-up plan.

Arrange a meeting point

Lost someone? Hopefully not for long.

Before heading out to the slopes, it’s definitely worth getting the group around a piste map to identify and agree pre-arranged meeting points. These are invaluable if someone gets separated from the group and prevents the need for everyone to head out in different directions to find them.

Check Your Equipment

Do you have it and does it work? Check all your equipment boots and goggles to tissues and antiseptic hand wash.

Check you have all your equipment with you

A pre-ski check list is always a good idea to ensure that you have everything to hand that you may need. In true Blue Peter style, here’s one we prepared earlier:

• Spare ski socks
• Suntan cream
• Lip balm / protector
• Sunglasses
• Mobile phone
• Handy packs of tissues
• Small bottle of antiseptic hand wash
• Bottled water or other drink (not alcohol)
• Chocolate bar or other high-energy snacks
• Small emergency first aid kit with plasters and bandages
• Piste map
• Goggle and sunglasses cleaner
• A reliable watch or clock of some description

Grab Two Piste Maps

Know where you are, and take a back-up map in case one blows away!

Ski resorts usually have an extensive network of ski runs that cover miles and miles. If you get separated from a group or the weather closes in, a Piste Map can help you to regain your bearings and find your way back to a pre-specified rendezvous point.

Check the Weather and Piste Conditions

Know what’s best come snow or shine!

Weather can be a big problem when skiing. A gloriously bright, sunny warm day with perfect visibility can turn into a white-out in minutes. It’s important to check the weather in advance of setting out to get an idea of what to expect and when the conditions are likely to change. This enables you to better plan your day and stay safe.

Roger that!

For a happy and care free winter holiday communication is key!

Keeping in contact with your skiing group is extremely important

Communication is essential for any group or party heading out to the slopes, not just in terms of having a mobile phone but having all the necessary contact numbers and staying in touch with each other throughout the day. Each member of the group should have the name and phone numbers of:

• Each group member
• Emergency services
• Ski and mountain rescue
• Hotel, chalet or apartment, if it has one
• Local doctor’s surgery or hospital

In addition to having the numbers, it’s important that each person communicates their intentions with the rest of the group. If someone gets tired or isn’t feeling well and wants to go back to the apartment or hotel, they should text or call other group members to let them know.

Next week we’re on the piste!

That about wraps it up for this week. Join us next week where we’ll show you how to be safe on the piste whether you’re a skiier or snowboarder, and what can be done if things go awry on the slopes.

Last week, Part 1 of our winter sports series, we spoke about money saving tips and winter sports planning. This week, we take a look at some of the accommodation options and popular destinations.

Choose a resort best suited to you (Image by Rennet Stowe)

There is huge diversity in the different types of ski resorts, while some lay on a well balanced portfolio for all abilities, other resorts lean towards a particular market including intermediate, advanced or powder skiers (we mention these later on). For starters, here’s a quick run-down of the holiday durations available.

The Weekend Ski Break

Perfect for those who just want to give it a go.

Weekend ski breaks can be hectic to say the least, but they are the perfect answer for those that aren’t yet ready to commit to a longer holiday on the snowy peaks. Typically, prices start at £199 for coach packages with weekend flight packages available from £300.

Longer duration Ski Holidays

When any other holiday just isn’t an option.

Although some are happy to stay in one place for the entire duration of their ski break, one alternative for longer duration ski holidays is to spend half your stay in one resort before transferring to another, giving a wider variety of slopes. This plan also offers more options for shopping and après-ski, if those are an important part of your holiday.

Ski Accommodation

There is an unsurprisingly vast range of accommodation offered by ski resorts. Of course, the actual location of your hotel or apartment – both in terms of the resort you choose and its proximity to ski lifts and other facilities, may be more important to you than the type of accommodation you choose.

Apartment or Chalet? There's a few different types of accomodation to choose from

Apartments

Just the Basics – Clean and Comfy

Apartments often offer the best value, with self-catering apartments offering accommodation for groups of 2 to 12 people. In the US, this sort of ski accommodation is often referred to as ‘condominiums’ or ‘condos’. Many apartments are purpose-built close to the ski slopes, so offer maximum convenience.

Chalets

The Picture Postcard Snow-covered Chalet

Strangely enough, chalets are largely a British phenomenon and are generally run by Brits across the Alps, particularly in Switzerland, Austria and France.

Chalets generally provide a full-board experience with three good meals a day, plus high tea when the lifts close, and often with local beers and wines on offer. Staff usually get a day off each week, when you will need to plan a meal out.

Up-market chalets often provide a greater level of comfort and facilities that may include hot tubs, steam rooms, games rooms, private ski guides and tours.

Hotels

From Bed and Breakfast to 5 Star Luxury

Hotels usually offer a variety of stay options from bed and breakfast to half or full board. As with any hotel, ski hotels usually work on a star rating basis from zero to five-star. In France, the highest rating is four-star.

• Basic ski hotels are commonly offered by British tour operators in most mid-range resorts in the Alps and the Pyrenees and are ideal if you are on a budget.
• If budget isn’t an issue, there are some serious high-end ski hotels that provide everything you could possibly need, including swimming pools, gyms and health spas.
• As a compromise, traditional hotels may not be as convenient for slope access as many of the apartments and chalets, so it’s always worth investigating this if access to the slopes is a top priority.
• Also, look out for variants on the standard hotel, including Chalet and Club Hotels, which are run to a chalet style, and ApartHotels, which are apartment complexes with optional hotel facilities and services.

Match a Resort to Your Ability

As with any type of holiday, it’s all about location, location, location. Depending on what you’re looking for in the perfect winter break, you can guarantee that there will be a resort that offers everything you desire. Here are just a few of the ‘closer to home’ possibilities that might be worth checking out.

For the Beginner

Nice and easy!

Choose the right resort for your budding little skier

1. Les Arcs | France

Les Arcs has nursery slopes directly above each of the resort’s main villages, of which Arc 1800 has the most variety. It also has a free beginner’s lift, plus a good range of more advanced slopes as you progress. The best ski school is the award winning Brit-run New Generation in Vallandry. Their friendly instructors will instil confidence in the most timid of beginners.

2. Soldeu | Andorra

One of Europe’s best beginner resorts, Soldeu has two extensive nursery areas and excellent ski instructors who are native English speakers. When you progress, there’s also a good range of slightly harder runs. The weather is usually good (Soldeu translates as ‘Sun God’), the nightlife is pretty messy and, of course, Andorra is a duty-free zone so it’s cheap.

Intermediate Skiers

Ready and raring to go

Woah, that guy over there is busting out some crazy moves!

1. Chamonix | France

Avid skiers, snowboarders, and partiers flock to this popular resort, and they are not disappointed. The scenic Chamonix Valley is nestled among some of the highest mountain peaks in the Alps, including the famous Mont Blanc massif.

There are 145 trails weaving throughout the area, adding up to 140 kilometers (87.5 miles). The favorite runs in the area are Le Brevent, Vallée-Blanche, and the Grands Montets. Chamonix is known for its fantastic off-trail skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well. Including the off-trail slopes, the area offers up to 30,000 acres of skiable terrain.

2. La Plagne | France

La Plagne is a great resort for intermediates, particularly now that the link to Les Arcs gives you more options for day tours.

As many of the connecting runs are scenic blues, even early intermediates can explore most of the mountains, but there is enough challenging and varied terrain to keep stronger skiers entertained; the wide expanse and different expositions guarantee a good sense of travelling through the mountains. The slopes of La Grande Rochette offer some of the most challenging intermediate skiing, though all the reds off the back of Les Verdons are great, particularly the wonderfully long Mont de la Guerre.

Advanced Skiers

Are you brave enough?

Are you brave enough to do this!? Check out advanced skier resorts

1. St. Anton | Austria

With intense terrain to satisfy the more experienced skier, St. Anton attracts extreme skiers looking for the ultimate challenge. Only the most advanced skiers should attempt Valluga’s notoriously difficult north face. After the breathtaking and terrifying descent, you will discover beautiful powder slopes as you head towards Zürs. As well as the 276km of groomed piste, skiers in St. Anton can enjoy miles of off-piste.

2. Verbier | Switzerland

Verbier is considered by many to be the home of extreme skiing and hosts several competitions each year, bringing in the best Big Mountain skiers in Europe. With short hikes from the cable cars you can get to legendary runs like Stairway to Heaven or Rock Garden. A tour over the back side of Mont Fort will really get the adrenaline flowing. From the top of Mont Fort you can also see the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, so be sure to take a camera.

As you can imagine, there are thousands of ski resorts all around the world including New Zealand, China, Japan, Argentina, India and, of course,  the US, Canada and Europe.

To end Part 2 of our 6-part series on everything to do with winter sports, winter holidays and travel, here is possibly one of the most remarkable ski destinations anywhere in the world.

Strange but True!

Is that a Mirage in the Desert?

It may be boiling outside, but it's nice and chilly in here! (Image by Doudlers)

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. This amazing construction covers a massive 22,500 square meters, is open all year round and covered with real snow.

Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and steepness. The longest run is 400 meters, with a fall of over 60 meters, making it the world’s first indoor black run. Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can enjoy the variety of slopes and practice stunts on the 90-metre long quarter pipe. There is also an interactive Snow Park for children and families, which is the largest indoor snow park in the world, covering over 3000 square meters.

In Part 3 of our Winter Sport Holiday series, we’ll look at what to do before you hit the ski slopes alongside some useful advice for when you arrive at your resort.