Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Mini mountaincoaster to open in Switzerland

A cross between a rollercoaster and a mini funicular railway will be the most stylish mode of transport going in the Swiss Alps this winter.

The Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa is opening its very own private mountaincoaster to whisk guests 500m from the hotel reception to the slopes. The natty little cabins will carry up to six passengers each from 1 December.

This is the first project for manufacturer Coaster Verkehrssysteme Vertriebs GmbH. The company hopes its new product will also take off in cities. I think this would be a fine way to cruise above Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Snowy start to Colorado season

Colorado is looking like the best option for early season boarding. Loveland and Arapahoe Basin (or A-Basin to the locals) have both opened already and Copper Mountain has announced a 3 November opening.

In September I was reporting 2ft dumps in Breckenridge and the current images on the resort's site suggest the snow is showing no signs of abating. Aspen reported 10 inches of the fresh stuff last week, while Snowmass saw 16 inches, and more pow is forecast over the next couple of days.

Keep an eye on all the Colorado snow reports and opening days at www.coloradoski.com.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Burton store opens in Tokyo

If you're planning to pound the slopes of Hokkaido or check out the latest wacky Japanese fashions in Nagano, you might have time for a little retail therapy in Tokyo's new Burton store, which opened this weekend.

I imagine those multi-coloured equestrian prints and all-in-one girls' white boiler suits will go down a storm in the Japanese market, but if you're looking for something a little more subtle, the 2006/7 range has plenty of stylish stuff in more muted shades.

If the weekend travel supplements are anything to go by, Japan is this year's must-do ski destination. If you can bear to join the package hordes, Crystal and Inghams have added it to their brochures.

OK, and I admit I secretly like the equestrian/houndstooth styling and have a little purse in the aforementioned print tucked away for a special occasion.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

London premiere of latest ChunkyKnit film

The London premiere of Last Winter, the new girlie snowboarder film from ChunkyKnit productions, is taking place on 20 October at the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show, Olympia.

The film will kick off at 5pm in the Retro Retox Bar. To check out the latest antics of Lesley McKenna, Jenny Jones et al, arrive in plenty of time, as spaces are limited.

The girls visit Japan and Romania as well as the world's best snowboarding destination - Scotland!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Mammoth savings at Mammoth

Here's a deal: California's Mammoth Mountain is offering a Silver season's pass for the bargain price of US$699. Compare that to the Gold Pass, which sells for a less-than-bargainous US$1,500.

The catch? There are 14 blackout dates when you can't ski or ride. But that's it - 14 days out of the whole season. The majority are around Christmas and New Year, with the remaining three over Presidents' Day weekend (a nightmare weekend for lift lines anywhere in North America).

Avoid those dates and you can ride to your heart's content for the rest of the season (which begins nice and early on 10 November by the way). Oh yes, and it covers you for riding at June Mountain too.

Bearing in mind the cost of a one-day lift pass from December to April is US$78, this is a pretty sweet deal if you're planning a couple of weeks out west.

Buy before 8 November, and those kind folks at Mammoth will throw in a couple of free passes to use on the aforementioned blackout dates. Check out the deal at www.mammothmountain.com.