Girlieboarder

Baby snowboarder number 2

2010-08-06T21:35:00.002+01:00

The blog entries have been a bit thin on the ground lately, much like the snow (unless you're lucky enough to be in the Southern Hemisphere).

Baby number two meant another season off the snow, but I do plan to dust off my board this winter, so watch this space.

Whistler opening early

2009-11-13T13:35:00.003Z

Thanks to over a metre of snowfall this week, Whistler Blackcomb is opening on Saturday 14 November.

Lucky Whistler has received a powderous 108cm in the past seven days, including 30cm in the last 24 hours. Another front is due to hit this weekend, dumping more of the glorious white stuff.

Only Whistler mountain will open initially, with Blackcomb expected to open on 26 November.

Check out a list of what lifts will be running on the Whistler Blackcomb site.

New Aava Hotel in Whistler

2009-10-02T10:08:00.002+01:00

A new hotel is opening in Whistler just in time for the Olympics. The Aava Hotel will open its doors in November.

The newly refurbished hotel is located in the former Coast Hotel building. Stylishly decorated rooms and suites will come with flatscreen HD TVs, iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi.

There will also be a White Spot restaurant on site. (RIP The Crab Shack.)

Natives job fair

2009-05-22T15:08:00.004+01:00

The Natives Seasonal Job Shop takes place on 30 May 2009 and 24 October 2009 in London.

According to natives.co.uk, a wide range of employers will be attending the show. You'll also be able to check out workshops on topics such as finding jobs and accommodation, off-piste awareness and qualifying as an instructor.

Is it time to swap the credit crunch for the satisfying crunch of snow under your boots?

Where? Bordeaux Suite, Novotel West London, Hammersmith, London
When? 30 May 2009 and 24 October 2009 from 11am to 5pm
How much? Free (yay!)

Find out more information about the job fair.

Image credit: natives.co.uk

I do still snowboard

2009-05-22T14:53:00.007+01:00

Yikes - the snow may have been abundant in the Alps this season, but the Girlieboarder blog entries have not. Baby boarder has been a bit of a distraction. This photo of me in Whistler a few weeks ago proves I've not forgotten how to snowboard. (That really is me - honest!)

Cute baby snowboarder T-shirts

2009-02-24T09:33:00.005Z

If your little 'un is still a few years from strapping on his or her first board, they can look the part in the creche with one of WeeTeeShirts.com's funky range of baby Ts.

Photo credit: WeeTeeShirts.com

Whistler opens high terrain

2009-01-26T09:32:00.004Z

Whistler's Peak Chair, Symphony Express and Blackcomb Glacier opened on the weekend of the 24/25 January for the first time this season.

The unusually late opening of these high alpine areas is due to an extremely unstable snow pack this winter.

Conditions have now improved, lessening the avalanche risk, and the mountain crew has ensured the terrain is safe to ski on.

This follows the deaths of a 37-year-old and a 26-year-old in two separate incidents over New Year. Both died in avalanches which occurred in roped-off areas: one in Ruby Bowl on Blackcomb, the other in Secret Chutes, by Symphony Bowl on Whistler.

Keep on eye on what's open in Whistler.

Snow, snow, snow in North America

2009-01-09T09:32:00.002Z

It's looking powdertastic in North America, where bucketloads of snow continue to fall.

Whistler has received 89cm in the past week alone, while the Vail group of resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Heavenly) reported the best December snowfall in eight years. Vail itself has seen 43cm in the last two days.

Check out the latest pics of Whistler's white stuff.

rudechalets launches rudeshop

2008-10-10T15:09:00.004+01:00

rudechalets has launched a new online snowboard equipment and clothing shop this winter.

The Morzine-based chalet operator is selling Burton gear via its website after forming a partnership with the US snowboard manufacturer.

To kick off rudeshop, owners Chris and Helen are offering 10 per cent off with the following voucher code - happydays.

Check out the shop and details of their new Chamonix chalet at the rudechalets website.

Photo credit: rudechalets

New baby snowboarder

2008-10-10T15:03:00.002+01:00

If you're wondering what's happened to this blog recently, there's been a new addition to the Henderson family over the summer.

Being pregnant meant last season was a bit of a right off (hence enthusiasm for snowboarding news waned somewhat) and a new baby (and future snowboarder of course) has been taking up most of my time since July.

But Girlieboarder is back this season, so keep logging on for the latest snow news.

Vail launches Epic Season Pass

2008-03-19T13:45:00.005Z

Vail Resorts has announced what looks to be one of next season's bargains - its new Epic Season Pass, costing just US$579.

There's no catch and there are no blackout dates. For that price, you can ski or ride as many days as your legs can handle at Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Heavenly. The pass is valid throughout the 2008/9 season.

Children's tickets come in at US$279. You must buy your pass by 15 November 2008.

Find out more and snap up your pass at www.epicpass.com.

Image credit: Vail Resorts

Dress as Santa and ski free at Whistler

2007-12-21T15:38:00.000Z

The first 100 people to arrive at Whistler mountain's base dressed as Santa or Mrs Claus will receive a free lift ticket on Saturday 22 December.

The outfit must include black or red trousers or a skirt for Mrs Claus, a red jacket with white trim, a black belt, a beard for Santa and a hat for Santa or Mrs Claus.

If you're in Whistler and can get your hands on this kit by tomorrow, meet at the GLC at 8.30am. There will also be a draw for Oakley goggles and a C$500 Whistler gift certificate.

Find out more at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Vancouver 2010 mascots revealed

2007-11-29T16:35:00.001Z

The mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be Quatchi, Miga and Sumi.

Find out more about these cute little critters on the official Vancouver 2010 website.

Image credit: Vancouver 2010

Manchester Chill Factore snowdome opens

2007-11-16T08:54:00.000Z

Manchester's new indoor snowdome, Chill Factore, opens today. It boasts the UK's longest and the world's widest real snow indoor slope.

The main slope is 180m long and 100m wide. There are also two beginner areas, plus a luge run and kiddies' snowplay area.

Alternatively you can try your hand at tubing or test your skills on the climbing wall. And there's a handful of restaurants and outdoor shops should you feel the need to burn some more cash.

Check out the Chill Factore website for full details.

Whistler Mountain to open early

2007-11-15T13:39:00.000Z

Thanks to a powdertastic start to November (see entry below), Whistler Blackcomb has decided to open Whistler Mountain a few days early.

Whistler is now set to open on 17 November, while Blackcomb's season will kick off on 22 November.

All the usual early-season lifts will be open: Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Red Chair, Emerald Chair and Franz's (weekend only). A small park with five rails will be open at the top of Emerald.

The snow report should be returning at some point today.

Photo credit: Paul Morrison/Whistler Blackcomb

80cm dump in Whistler

2007-11-14T13:54:00.000Z

It looks like it's going to be a great start to Whistler's season. The resort received 80cm of fresh pow over the weekend, with another 108cm forecast during the week.

Whistler Blackcomb opens for skiing and riding on 22 November.

Photo credit: Dave Lakey/Tourism Whistler

Canadian resort openings

2007-11-12T13:49:00.001Z

If, like me, you're a sucker for Canadian pow, here's the latest on opening dates and current snow bases (where available) for some of the major Canadian resorts:

Alberta
Lake Louise - open, 34cm mid-mountain, 46cm top
Marmot Basin (Jasper) - 16 November, 30cm
Norquay - open (earliest ever opening on 1 November), 30cm (top of mountain)
Sunshine - 15 November, 44cm base

British Columbia
Big White - 22 November, 3cm (let's hope there's a big dump soon)
Fernie - 8 December, 15cm
Revelstoke - 22 December, base unavailable
Silver Star - 22 November, 20cm
Sun Peaks - 17 November, 49cm
Whistler Blackcomb - 22 November, base unavailable

I've not been able to get hold of dates for Kicking Horse or Red yet.

Quebec
Tremblant - 21 November, base unavailable
Mont-Sainte-Anne - 17 November, base unavailable

Kitzbuhel opens six weeks early

2007-11-12T13:33:00.000Z

Kitzbuhel opened on 2 November, six weeks earlier than planned. It was the earliest opening in the resort's history.

The Austrian resort is already boasting a 130cm base, with 25cm in the valley.

Compared to last year's dismal early season snow, it seems even the low-level Austrian ski areas are seeing a stonking start to winter 2007/8.

Photo credit and further information: www.bergbahn-kitzbuehel.at

Copper Mountain opening day

2007-11-02T14:18:00.000Z

The season kicks off at Colorado's Copper Mountain today, with top-to-bottom skiing and riding. The resort plans to open five lifts.

To celebrate the beginning of winter, Copper is running a three-day festival, Lift Off at Copper, from 2-4 November. Events will include showings of the latest ski and snowboard films, live music, equipment demos and apres parties.

Check out the latest snow report before you go.

Image credit and further information: Copper Mountain.

Keystone opens 2 November

2007-11-01T13:48:00.000Z

Keystone is opening a week early, thanks to good dumps of early-season snow. The resort opens for skiing and riding tomorrow, 2 November.

The mountain has received 66cm of snow so far this season and currently has a 30cm mid-mountain base.

Check out all the details on Keystone's website.

Free skiing at Crested Butte

2007-10-12T09:05:00.000+01:00

If you're a bit short of cash and looking for some early-season pow, head to Crested Butte, Colorado, where the skiing is free for the first three weeks of the season.

Yes, there's no catch. Ski or ride free from 25 November until 15 December.

They're also offering some enticing accommodation deals. Check out Crested Butte's website for all the details.

Crested Butte has 1,167 skiable acres, 121 runs and 846m of lift-served vertical.

Photo credit: Crested Butte

Tignes opens for winter

2007-09-29T11:46:00.000+01:00

The 2007/8 ski season kicks off today in Tignes as the Grande Motte glacier opens for winter.

You can ski or ride 20km (13 miles) of runs on the glacier, which has an impressive 750m (2,400ft) vertical drop.

The Espace Killy, which is the entired combined Tignes and Val d'Isere ski area, opens on 1 December.

Visit the official Tignes website.

Mt Ruapehu erupts, closing ski areas

2007-09-26T13:46:00.000+01:00

The New Zealand resorts of Whakapapa and Turoa were forced to close after Mt Ruapehu erupted unexpectedly on Tuesday evening.

About 50 people were evacuated from mountain ski lodges, while roads and train lines were also closed.

A 22-year-old climber was seriously injured in the blast when rocks flew through his mountain hut and trapped him. He later had to have part of his leg amputated.

Although the ski areas were closed on Wednesday, they are expected to open again on Thursday. Volcanologists, however, warn there may be further eruptions over the next few days and are advising people to stay away from the upper part of the mountain.

In 1996, an eruption sent ash directly onto the ski fields, closing them for most of the season.

Read Mt Ruapehu's latest news.

VisitScotland uses "misleading" footage

2007-09-24T13:48:00.000+01:00

VisitScotland has been accused of "misleading" the public by using decade-old footage in its latest ad.

The advert, shown in cinemas and online, promotes sports activities in Scotland, including climbing up a frozen waterfall and boarding on powdery pistes.

But some clever clogs has pointed out Scotland hasn't received heavy snow or cold temperatures for seven years. VisitScotland has admitted the ice-climbing footage was shot in the 1990s, but hasn't been able to date the skiing film.

I thought everyone realised Scotland isn't exactly blessed with copious amounts of powder, but apparently ski and snowboard enthusiasts down south might be duped into believing they should ditch their annual Colorado fortnight for a trip to Cairngorm.

Photo credit (date not known, but there is snow): Ski-Scotland.

'Stash' to open in Avoriaz

2007-09-20T13:56:00.000+01:00

European snowboarders will be whooping with joy when the Burton-designed Stash run opens in Avoriaz this winter.

You may remember last year the first Stash run was built at Northstar-at-Tahoe, and good old Jake doesn't want the Euro boarders to miss out.

The new all-natural run will be constructed in the Lindarets forest, with logs and wooden tables for sliding on, a secret passage to explore and even a cabin to hang out in.

The run opens on 10 January 2008. To get an idea, check out the Northstar version at www.thestash.com.

Find out more about Avoriaz's terrain parks at www.snowparkavoriaz.com.

Read my story about last year's Northstar opening.

Image credit: Burton

Portes du Soleil offers 'lazybones' lift pass

2007-09-19T13:48:00.000+01:00

If you've ever had one too many in the bars of Morzine or Chatel and staggered onto the slopes somewhere towards midday, you may be pleased to hear that the Portes du Soleil ski region has launched a 'lazybones' lift pass.

The ski pass is valid from 11am and costs €35, which is €4 less than the cost of a full-day ticket.

The resort reckons the days of rushing for first lift and skiing until they close are long gone, but I know some of you would beg to differ.

Photo credit: C Margot/www.portesdusoleil.com

Snow in Colorado!

2007-09-18T13:41:00.000+01:00

Winter is on its way in Colorado. Take a look at yesterday's snowfall in Breckenridge. Not long to go until season opening on 9 November.

Photo credit: http//breckenridge.snow.com

Wind turbine to power New England resort

2007-08-19T21:24:00.000+01:00

It might not be up there with Vail or Whistler in terms of lifts and terrain, but Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachussetts has become North America's first ski resort to install a wind turbine.

The New England ski area held a dedication ceremony for the 1.5-megawatt turbine last Wednesday. The project cost US$3.9 million, but will reduce the mountain's energy bill by 49.4 per cent, according to resort CEO Brian Fairbank.

If the turbine produces excess energy, the electricity will be sold back to the national grid.

The resort recognises that skiers and boarders are beginning to question whether taking a ski holiday is environmentally sustainable and hopes to encourage other ski resorts to follow in its footsteps.

Read Jiminy Peak's environment policy.

Photo credit: Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

Heavenly price for Heavenly season pass

2007-07-28T14:38:00.001+01:00

Summer is the time of year when you can snap up a bargain season pass, and Heavenly has come up trumps with its pricing this year.

Buy your 2007/2008 pass between now and 3 September and it will set you back a mere $349. The following blackout dates apply:

23-24 November 2007
27-31 December 2007
16-17 February 2008

If you must ski or ride on these dates, the price is $548.

Other benefits include access to the gondola throughout summer 2007, plus three days' free skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone. You can also buy four $40 buddy passes.

To compare costs, a six-day lift ticket outside holiday periods is $384. And if you're wondering how much there is to ride in Heavenly, well there are 91 trails and 30 lifts across 4,800 acres. Construction has just begun on a new high-speed quad, the Olympic Express.

Photo credit and further information: www.skiheavenly.com

Future Aussie halfpipe stars at Perisher Blue

2007-07-26T13:34:00.000+01:00

Now is a great time to spot fresh talent in Australian snowboarding, as the National Snowboard Halfpipe Development Team have begun training at Perisher Blue.

The programme, which is in its third year, is designed for up-and-coming athletes as a means of progressing towards the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Snowboard Halfpipe Team. (Story continues below.)

Head coach Ben Alexander says: "It is giving athletes the opportunity to develop their skills to international standard so they are able to compete successfully in World Cup and Olympic Games competitions."

The team currently consists of five boarders: Nathan Johnstone, 17, Matthew Hunter, 19, Jarryd Williams, 17, Sam Murphy, 16 and Charlie Steinbacher, 16.

Riders are chosen at a Talent Identification Camp held at Perisher Blue each winter. The next camp takes place from 1-2 September.

Find out more at the Skiing Australia website.

Photo credit (showing Nathan Johnstone): NSWIS and Perisher Blue, taken by Ben Alexander

Jamaican dogsled team

2007-07-22T17:45:00.000+01:00

You've seen the film Cool Runnings, based on the story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team heading to the Olympics.

But did you know there's now a Jamaican dogsled team? And I'm proud to hear Devon Anderson, Jamaica's first musher, completed his initial training in Scotland.

The team have just launched their latest promotional video and 2007/8 race schedule and are now planning to train with three-time Yukon Quest champion Hans Gatt.

Read all about Devon and his band of merry mutts on the Jamaica Dogsled Team website.

Photo credit: Jamaica Dogsled Team

Australia: Best snow for 17 years

2007-07-16T13:50:00.000+01:00

Australian resorts have received the most snowfall in 17 years according to the Australian press, with several resorts passing the one-metre base mark.

Perisher Blue has a respectable base of 129.7cm. Temperatures are cold and more snowfall is expected this week. More than 200cm of snow has fallen so far this year.

Thredbo is boasting an identical depth of 129.7cm (hmm, suspicious). Snow showers and blizzards are forecast over the next three days.

Check out these links for further information on Perisher Blue and Thredbo.

Photo credit: Thredbo.

Sochi wins 2014 Olympics

2007-07-05T13:31:00.000+01:00

The Russian resort of Sochi has been awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee made its announcement yesterday in Guatemala. (Guatemala?! - you might well ask.)

South Korea's Pyeongchang was beaten into second place, while Salzburg was eliminated in the first round of voting.

This will be the first time Russia has hosted the Winter Olympics.

Both Pyeongchang and Salzburg lost out to Vancouver in the bid for the 2010 games.

Check out the Sochi 2014 bid website. (Although the site is lacking in info as I write.)

Snowpark NZ opens tomorrow

2007-06-21T14:13:00.000+01:00

Freestylers and freestyle wannabes are waxing their boards and fine tuning their edges in anticipation of Snowpark NZ's opening day tomorrow.

When your jumping's on the shaky side (or just plain non-existent), New Zealand's giant terrain park is the place to go to crank it up a gear.

And this year they've added new snazzy on-slope apartments (see pic), so you don't need to make the commute from Wanaka.

Dates for this year's Snow Girls NZ camps are:
5-8 July
30-31 July
1-4 September

Photo credit and further information: www.snowparknz.com.

Mt Buller world first: snowmaking with recycled water

2007-06-14T13:53:00.000+01:00

For a country in its sixth year of drought, blasting artificial snow is going to be controversial.

But Mt Buller in Australia has found an innovative use for its waste water and is becoming the world's first resort to use recycled water for snowmaking.

Phil Nunn, the resort's chief executive, says the new development will increase snowmaking capacity by 30 per cent and is expected to ensure 80 per cent of the village's waste water is reused.

Read the whole story on the Mt Buller website.

Photo credit: www.mtbuller.com.au

Coronet Peak open; Mt Hutt to follow

2007-06-11T13:51:00.000+01:00

Coronet Peak, in New Zealand's South Island, opened today, just a couple of days behind schedule.

Snowmaking machines have been going full blast, thanks to consistently cold temperatures over the past few days, and have covered the Big Easy and M1 trails.

If you're a beginner, this should be enough to keep you happy, but intermediate and advanced skiers and riders will quickly tire of endless revolutions on the M1, which really does match up to it's British motorway namesake in terms of traffic.

Meanwhile, Mt Hutt is expected to open on Wednesday (13 June). Terrain will be limited, but park junkies will be able to hit a couple of rails or boxes (not sure which yet) from day one.

Photo credit and more information: www.nzski.com

New Zealand snow update

2007-06-06T14:06:00.001+01:00

Yippee! Winter has arrived in New Zealand and the main resorts are building up to their opening days. Here's a run-down of the latest news from the main ski areas:

Mt Ruapehu (Whakapapa and Turoa): Cooler temperatures have brought fresh snow to higher elevations. With the freezing level expected to drop, conditions should be ideal for snowmaking and more snow is forecast over the next few days. Turoa has installed a brand new snowmaking system, a smart new Alpine Chalet and, best of all, a new chairlift - the High Noon Express. Turoa opens on 16 June. More info from www.mtruapehu.com.

Mt Hutt: The Canterbury field received a 25cm dump on Saturday and snowmaking is underway. Opens on 9 June.

Coronet Peak: The snow guns are blasting, but the base is still low. Opens on 9 June.

The Remarkables: This is the place to go for coaching. The mountain is introducing Afternoon Burton Freestyle Sessions (daily 2-4pm), 6 Saturday Freestyle sessions (every Saturday) and, for the girlies, the Burton Girls on Edge Camp, with instruction from New Zealand's top female coaches. Opens on 23 June. More info on Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarks from www.nzski.com.

Treble Cone: Natural snow has fallen and snowmaking is underway. Opens 26 June. More info from www.treblecone.co.nz.

Cardrona: Snowmaking has begun and more snow is forecast. Opens 22 June. More info from www.cardrona.com.

Don't forget, the annual Queenstown Winter Festival kicks off the season in style and runs from 22 June to 1 July.

Photo credit: www.mtruapehu.com

Peak to Peak gondola to open in Whistler

2007-04-18T13:43:00.000+01:00

Whistler Blackcomb has announced the long-awaited Peak to Peak gondola will open between the two mountains in December 2008.

The new cable car will travel 4.4km in 11 minutes between the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler and the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb.

The gondola will consist of 28 cabins carrying up to 28 people each, with a total capacity of 4,100 passengers per hour.

With just two towers on each mountain, the cable will hang unsupported for over 3km (the world's longest unsupported span). The highest vertical point is at 415m over Fitzsimmon's Creek - the world's greatest distance above a valley floor.

Construction begins in May 2007. Find out more about the Peak to Peak gondola.

Photo credit: Matt Walker

Hunter Mtn: free skiing for any season pass holder

2007-03-17T11:51:00.000Z

Planning a jaunt to New York in the next couple of weeks? Hunter Mountain, just a couple of hours from the city, is accepting season passes from any mountain in the world on 25 March.

So whether you have a pass for Vail, Val d'Isere or Glencoe, the generous folks at Hunter will give you a free lift ticket. (As long as the pass is valid for the 2006/7 season of course.)

And from 19 March until the end of the season, they'll give you 50% off mid-week tickets and 25% off weekend tickets if you flash your season pass from another mountain.

What's more, winter is showing no signs of abating in New York state. Hunter has reported a massive 21 inches of the fresh stuff in the last 24 hours! (The pic here was taken at about 4pm local time yesterday when the snow was starting to fall.)

Check out the details of the special offer.

Image credit: Hunter Mountain

Heavenly powder

2007-03-06T13:14:00.000Z

Early last week, Heavenly, California received...wait for it...SIX FEET OF SNOW in 48 hours! That is a humungous amount.

Watch the video of all the happy skiers and boarders.

Check out the latest Heavenly snow report.

Women's week in Whistler

2007-02-25T19:34:00.000Z

I know I keep bleating on about Whistler, but come on, it's already beaten its average annual snowfall and we're still only in February (64cm in the past seven days ain't bad). And now there's Women's Week to look forward to.

This girlie celebration kicks off on 3 March and packs in nine days of feminine fun, from Burton and Roxy all-girl snowboard camps to special shopping deals, spa chill-out sessions and a Le Chateau fashion show. Check out the full calendar of events for the week.

Another date for your diary: Whistler's Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival runs from 13-22 April and promises to be another unmissable bash, with 50 free concerts to choose from and the chance to watch some unbelievable ski and snowboard stunts.

Image credit: Tourism Whistler

Earlybird passes on sale in New Zealand

2007-02-12T13:55:00.000Z

Earlybird season passes covering the New Zealand resorts Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt are now on sale.

A joint pass to all three mountains will set you back NZ$749 if you buy online before 8 March.

If you're only going to be kicking around Queenstown, go for the Queenstown pass (Coronet Peak and The Remarks only), which costs NZ$649.

These are a great deal and worth buying even if you're only planning on a couple of weeks' riding in NZ. Individual passes for each resort are also available.

Image credit and further information: www.nzski.com

Orange snow falls in Russia

2007-02-02T16:42:00.000Z

Orange and yellow snowflakes fell in the Omsk region of Russia on Wednesday according to Russian officials.

The snow is said to have felt oily to touch and gave off a rotten smell. Scientists are investigating the cause of the usunusally coloured snow, which fell over an area of more than 1,500 sq km.

The local environmental prosecutor, Anton German, said he was waiting for the results of chemical tests. Another local official reported the snow had four times the normal levels of iron in it.

Omsk is in western Siberia where oil is the main industry. About 27,000 people live in the area affected by the snow. Residents have been advised not to use the snow for household tasks or to allow animals to graze on it.

Giant countdown clock for Vancouver 2010

2007-02-02T16:26:00.000Z

Vancouver is kicking off the three-year countdown to the 2010 Olympic Games by installing a giant countdown clock.

The enormous clock will be unveiled at Vancouver Art Gallery on 12 February and will count down the remaining days, hours, minutes and seconds to the 2010 Opening Ceremony.

The clock design will represent Canadian and West Coast themes.

Free cat boarding at Copper

2007-01-21T10:47:00.000Z

Copper Mountain is offering free snowcat access on Tucker Mountain.

According to the mountain' s website: "This is as close to a backcountry, big-mountain experience as you'll find in-bounds at any resort."

The cats have been in operation since 2 January and run from 10am to 1.30pm every day. Tucker Mountain closes at 2pm. It's first come, first served, so get there early.

Photo credit: Copper Mountain

Vail extends season

2007-01-21T10:23:00.000Z

Vail has decided to extend its winter season by a week thanks to this year's epic snowfalls.

The Colorado resort was originally due to close on 15 April, but will now stay open an extra week, closing on 22 April.

The end of the season is celebrated with a massive spring bash, "Spring Back to Vail", which includes free concerts by top US bands, as well as deals on lift passes and lodging and the chilly-sounding World Pond Skimming Championships.

Photo credit: Vail Resorts

Another record for Whistler

2007-01-14T18:36:00.000Z

Whistler snowfall hit a record high yet again this week after the latest dump brought this season's accumulation to 875cm.

That's the biggest total by this time in January since records began 27 years ago.

It won't take much for Whistler to beat its annual average snowfall of 10m.

The weather's currently clear and sunny, but another frontal system could bring more snow on Wednesday.

Photo credit: Whistler Blackcomb (webcam showing The Roundhouse restaurant, 14 January 2007)

Auf Wiedersehen Alpine skiing

2007-01-14T18:02:00.000Z

Skiing and boarding in the Alps could be history within 45 years according to a new report on climate change.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts that 75 per cent of Alpine glaciers will melt within this period, causing avalanches and floods and forcing ski resorts to close.

Only the highest resorts, such as Tignes (2,100m) and Val Thorens (2,300m), are expected to survive.

The reports will be handed to European governments this week.

This follows a poor start to this year's Alpine winter season. Despite a decent snowfall at New Year, mild temperatures since mean many low-level resorts are still lacking snow.

Read the full story on The Observer website.

Snow in Stowe for holiday weekend

2007-01-14T17:42:00.000Z

Stowe, Vermont has been thanking the snow gods for the 10 to 18 inches (25 to 46cm) of white stuff it's received over the past week.

The fresh pow arrived just in time for the US holiday weekend. The resort also opened the Sensation Quad on Upper Spruce Peak on Friday 12th, meaning all four peaks were open in time for the holiday rush.

Stowe currently has the highest percentage of runs open in Northern Vermont, and conditions look pretty sweet on their home page video at www.stowe.com.

Photo credit: Stowe Mountain Resort

Sake and snow monkeys in Japan

2007-01-02T13:48:00.000Z

The Christmas stockings are back in the drawer and the tree is shedding its last needles (unless it's one of those fancy no-drop ones of course).

The only proper way to cheer up is to book a holiday, and what better place to consider for your next snowboarding trip than Japan, this year's hot ski destination.

Check out my feature on 10 reasons to ski/board in Japan on the World Travel Guide.

Photo credit: JNTO

Free skiing at Red

2006-12-18T21:42:00.000Z

There's no catch. If you're kicking around BC this week, turn up at Red Mountain on Friday 22 December and just ask for your free lift ticket.

That's right - the mountain will be handing out complimentary lift tickets to all skiers and riders for one day only. Ski and snowboard instructors will also be on hand to offer tips. Lifts will be open from 9am to 3pm.

If you're hanging around over Christmas, join Santa for a run on Christmas Day. Meet him at the Paradise Lodge.

Photo credit: Red Mountain Resort

Huge dump forecast for Whistler

2006-12-12T13:48:00.000Z

OK folks, get yourself a flight out to Canada. Zoom, Air Canada, BA, whoever - find a seat. Whistler is expecting 65-110cm of fresh stuff over the next few days.

While the Alps have been basking in balmy 20-degree temperatures, the epic start to Whistler's season keeps going and going. To top it off, the new Symphony Express chair opens on Whistler this Saturday (16 December), providing access to over 1,000 acres of terrain.

If you're in Whistler this week, you can win a golden ticket for a seat on one of the first chairs. All you need to do is find an orchestra conductor (wearing a black tux) on Whistler mountain and ask for a Symphony Express golden ticket. As I write, there are nine tickets left.

Map credit: Whistler Blackcomb

More Canada openings

2006-12-05T19:12:00.000Z

November's record snowfall in western Canada has brought legendary opening day conditions for yet more resorts.

Red opened on 1 December, followed a day later by fellow BC resort Kicking Horse. The latter's 350cm+ snow accumulation meant the mountain opened two weeks ahead of schedule, though it will open on weekends only until 15 December.

Meanwhile, across the provincial border in Alberta, Canada Olympic Park in Calgary was forced to close for three days at the end of November after icy conditions swept through the city.

You might not imagine there's much skiing in Manitoba, but the prairie province received a welcome 15-25 cm the other day and Asessippi ski area plans to open on 8 December.

And for those 'back east' in Ontario, Horseshoe Resort near Barrie opens on 6 December.

Photo credit: Red Mountain Resort

More early openings for Canada

2006-11-23T21:42:00.000Z

The huge storms pummelling Canada's west coast means more early openings for local ski hills.

Apex opened today, while Sunshine opened up Goat's Mountain, the earliest ever opening for that section of the resort.

Silver Star opens tomorrow, followed by Big White on Saturday.

Vancouver Island isn't missing out on the snow either. Mount Washington has announced plans to open a week early on 30 November.

Brent Curtain, spokesperson for Mount Washington, said: “The amount of snow up here is unbelievable! This is only our third November opening in the last 15 years and it looks like it may be one of the best openings we’ve seen in the resort’s history."

Record snowfall for Whistler

2006-11-22T20:31:00.000Z

Blackcomb is opening tomorrow (23rd) and it couldn't come sooner for boarders in Whistler, where over 300cm of snow has fallen since the beginning of the month - the most ever recorded in November.

Thankfully, as mentioned below, Whistler opened last weekend and has received a whopping 70cm in the past 48 hours alone. The base is already a respectable 153cm.

The plan is to have around 5,000 acres open this weekend, so check out Zoom's website and see if you can find yourself a deal.

Burton designs snowboard run

2006-11-19T16:56:00.000Z

Being the most successful snowboard manufacturer clearly isn't enough for Jake Burton, who has now designed his first snowboard run at Northstar-at-Tahoe.

Burton has helped snowboarders build The Stash, a run featuring trees, jibs and road jumps constructed from wooden logs and other local materials. The new run is due to open on 15 December.

The Stash will also include pillow lines, natural rail slides built from massive logs, and the CK Cabin (named after legendary rider Craig Kelly), which riders can jib or gap.

Check out the promo video at www.thestash.com. (Note: It takes a while to load.)

Northstar-at-Tahoe is scheduled to open on 22 November.

Whistler opens early

2006-11-19T16:41:00.000Z

Whistler Mountain opened early yesterday, thanks to a handily timed winter storm.

The mountain's been blessed with a healthy 129cm of snow in the past seven days and is boasting a 129cm base too. Judging by today's murky-looking webcams, snow is falling as I write.

It's a bit like 'pass the parcel' though: you only get to unwrap a bit at a time. Both Whistler gondolas are running, but skiers and riders are limited to Emerald and Red chairs once in the Alpine. Those cheeksters at Whistler Blackcomb are holding off opening the Peak, Harmony and the eagerly-anticipated new Symphony chair. Wouldn't want to waste too much snow on staff and locals...

Blackcomb opens on Thursday 23rd November. Check out the latest snow report at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Snowy start for Sunshine

2006-11-13T13:51:00.000Z

Sunshine Village has opened early thanks to a healthy dump of powder last week.

The resort, which kicked off its season on Friday, is boasting an 80cm base and has received a not-too-shabby 26cm in the past two days. Even better, it's still snowing and the forecast is for more of the white stuff.

Seven out of 12 lifts are open, plus 44 out of 107 runs. If you're into early season bargains, this could be a good bet - tickets are currently going for C$49.95.

If you want to check out conditions before booking your flight, Sunshine's installed some new high-res webcams this year. Check 'em out here.

Celtek launches new website

2006-11-08T21:36:00.000Z

Perhaps not one for the Rangers fans (or so says my husband, Angus) - glove manufacturer Celtek has just launched a new website.

Leather seems to be back in style as far as the Leines boys (Celtek's youthful-looking CEOs) are concerned, though to me the fashion is scarily reminiscent of ski instructors' Descente gloves with a noughties twist which they just about get away with.

Still, this is what youngsters are into apparently.

Hoodies, tees and touques are a sideline, including the Celtek tooth beanie. (See my earlier obsession with houndstooth designs under the Japanese Burton store opening entry.)

New Zoom route takes off

2006-11-08T21:21:00.000Z

Scottish snowboarders will be able to cut their travel time to Banff, Fernie and Jasper thanks to a new Glasgow-Calgary route launching this winter.

Zoom Airlines is running the new service between November and April. The carrier already operates winter flights from Glasgow to Toronto and Vancouver, with Ottawa being added from January 2007.

Prices for the Calgary route start at £129 one way plus tax.

Zoom also flies to Canada from Gatwick, Manchester and Belfast.

Mini mountaincoaster to open in Switzerland

2006-10-25T20:09:00.000+01:00

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.

Snowy start to Colorado season

2006-10-24T19:34:00.000+01:00

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.

Burton store opens in Tokyo

2006-10-16T14:00:00.000+01:00

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.

London premiere of latest ChunkyKnit film

2006-10-15T20:29:00.000+01:00

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!

Mammoth savings at Mammoth

2006-10-04T20:29:00.000+01:00

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.

September dump for Breckenridge

2006-09-23T10:59:00.000+01:00

Two feet of snow in two days. In September.

Fresh tracks for ski patrol. In September.

Snow from top to base. In September.

The photos on the Breckenridge website tell it all. Just click on the photo gallery and try not to let your chin drop to the floor.

Vail voted no 1 in North America

2006-09-23T10:45:00.000+01:00

Vail has been voted number one resort in North America by readers of Ski magazine.

No big surprise, as the mountain boasts four terrain parks, seven bowls and 5,289 acres of freeride terrain. Check out why it's so popular at vail.snow.com.

The readers' top ten resorts were:

1. Vail, Colorado
2. Deer Valley, Utah
3. Snowmass, Colorado
4. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
5. Park City, Utah
6. Breckenridge, Colorado
7. Aspen, Colorado
8. Beaver Creek, Colorado
9. Steamboat, Colorado
10. Sun Valley, Idaho

Go to www.skinet.com for top tips on each resort.

Season's first snow in Whistler

2006-09-19T13:55:00.000+01:00

Woo hoo! Winter is on its way in Whistler. The first snowfall of the season arrived last Thursday (14 September) - a respectable 15cm. Let's hope this is a good sign for the season ahead.

Check out the pics on the Whistler Blackcomb website.

Meanwhile, anyone who can wangle a visa to work in Canada (try BUNAC) will be interested to know the Whistler Blackcomb recruitment fair is being held from 23-26 October.

End of long drive to Fernie?

2006-09-11T21:55:00.000+01:00

If you've ever arrived on the long haul flight from London to Calgary, only to be faced with a four-hour drive to Fernie, the news that Cranbrook Airport's expansion is nearly complete might be welcome news.

The expansion of the airport, soon to be renamed the Canadian Rockies International Airport, is due to be completed this winter. The airport will be able to accommodate both larger aircraft and more passengers.

Although the likes of BA and Air Canada are not likely to announce a direct UK flight quite yet, the new name and the construction of a Canada Customs and Immigrations facility suggest Cranbrook has its eye firmly on the international market.

Board for a bargain in Kosovo

2006-09-11T21:40:00.000+01:00

This could be one of the best deals around. A week's pass in Breznica, Kosovo's main ski area, will set you back a mere 60 euros. UN Special Representative Joachim Rücker has also announced plans to privatise the resort, so get there while it's cheap.

The slopes in Breznica, in the Dinarske mountains, range from 1718-2522m in altitude. Piribeg, a 3.5km black run, covers the entire vertical. The resort boasts seven lifts and eight other runs, with a total of 16km of trails. For not much more than the cost of a day in the snowdome, you can't go wrong.

New snowdome for Manchester

2006-08-19T13:25:00.000+01:00

Work has begun on the new Chill Factore snowdome in Manchester, which is due to open in October 2007.

The new dome will be next to the Trafford shopping centre and will include three interconnecting slopes of varying difficulties. The combined slope length will be 180m (the longest in the country), with a vertical drop of 40m.

According to the Chill Factore website, this will be "a place where active lifestyle shops, themed bars and contemporary restaurants create an authentic alpine village".

I wonder if they'll have a few bell-wearing goats and sheep roaming the slopes in that case.

Serbia to open new ski resort

2006-08-08T17:18:00.000+01:00

New lifts and runs are going to be constructed on Stara Mountain in Serbia, as part of the government's €50 million National Investment Plan.

Stara is one of 20 basic ski hills which operated for decades before the Balkan War, but will now be converted into an international ski destination.

Kopaonik ski area has already been reintroduced to the international market and has expanded successfully.

The first development at Stara will be the installation of two chairlifts.

Snowdomes in the sand

2006-08-08T14:00:00.000+01:00

Not to be outdone by Ski Dubai, Abu Dhabi's Snoworld is due to open later this year, complete with ski slope, ice rink and shopping mall.

Snoworld will be part of the Marina Mall, one of the world's biggest malls, with 900,000 visitors each month.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia is looking for a piece of the snow action and is examining the feasibility of constructing a Ski Trac, a rotating ski slope.

Back in Britain, plans for SnOasis in Suffolk, which would be the world's biggest indoor ski slope, have been put on hold by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. A public enquiry into the planning application could take up to two years.

Braving Whistler's bike park

2006-07-29T11:31:00.000+01:00

Whistler's ski season may be coming to an end this weekend, but the good news is adventure seekers can still find fun on the mountain in the bike park.

Blackcomb glacier closes to skiers and riders tomorrow, but the mountain bike park on Whistler mountain remains open until 9 October. There are over 200km of graded runs to test your nerves on.

Different levels of skills centres give riders the chance to practise ramps, jumps and teeter totters (see-saws). This is me wobbling my way over the tiniest ramp on the mountain.

Read all about my attempts at downhill mountain biking in my feature on the Sky Living website. Just click on the Canada story with the picture of a biker.

easyJet winter flights on sale

2006-07-26T14:09:00.000+01:00

easyJet winter routes are now on sale for the 2006/7 season.

The flights have been on sale since 21 July, so there should still be plenty of deals around.

Remember though, the cheeky airline charges £15 each way for your snowboard (2005/6 price), even if it is your only piece of baggage.

British Airways, on the other hand, will carry your equipment free of charge, with a generous short-haul baggage allowance of 23kg.

Snow Train 2007 timetable published

2006-07-26T13:53:00.000+01:00

If you're feeling guilty about the environmental impact of flying to European resorts, Rail Europe has just launched next season's snow train timetable.

Beat the rush and book by 31 August for an earlybird deal. Prices start at £199, a saving of up to £30 on the regular fare.

The Eurostar trains run from London Waterloo and Ashford via Paris to Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime, Landry (I once did my laundry there actually) and Bourg St-Maurice.

The added bonus of taking the train is that you arrive on Saturday morning and leave on Saturday evening, allowing eight days of riding.

Book at www.raileurope.co.uk/snowtrains.

Himalayan ski packages offered

2006-07-19T13:53:00.000+01:00

France - been there. Canada - done that. India - not yet? This year you could be the envy of your boarder friends and book a package to the world's highest resort.

Ski Himalaya is now taking reservations for winter 2006/7 trips to Gulmarg in Indian Kashmir, the only major Himalayan resort.

A new gondola covers 1350m of vertical, more than any lift in the USA.

The company is offering 15-night packages from US$960pp, including accommodation, transfers and most meals. For an extra US$500, skiers and riders can treat themselves to two weeks of guiding with Kashmir Powdercats.

Skier numbers are low, meaning plenty of fresh tracks for all. The snowfall looks pretty impressive too. Last season, almost 8m of snow fell in February alone.

Getting there involves a flight from Delhi to Srinigar (1 hour 30 mins) and a 56km drive. There are hotels near the base.

No more getting stuck on the flat

2006-07-14T17:22:00.000+01:00

Sick of unstrapping and breaking into a sweat as you skate along the flat, while skiers smugly fly past you? A new pole for boarders could change all that.

The Snowstik is a snazzy new gadget from snowboarder Richard Marks. The telescopic pole is designed to be clipped onto your boot and extends at the press of a button from 55cm to 140cm.

You can propel yourself along the flat or straight on and off the chairlift without ever needing to undo your bindings.

The pole comes in five colours, including a girlie lipstick pink (boys might prefer gunmetal or stealth) and is on sale for £55.

Snowclips cost £11.75, though it might be more comfortable if you bung it on the outside of your backpack.

Find out more at www.marxboarding.com.

UK skier numbers increase by 7%

2006-07-13T20:35:00.000+01:00

Seven per cent more British skiers took an overseas ski holiday last winter than in the previous season according to the annual UK Ski Industry Report released this week.

The number of skiers and riders visiting the USA and Canada increased by 30 per cent. Other countries showing growth included Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia and Finland.

France is the most popular destination, taking just over a third of British skiers and boarders, followed by Austria and Switzerland.

The figures were released by British ski tour operator Crystal.

2014 Winter Olympics shortlist

2006-07-10T17:13:00.000+01:00

The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in either Austria, Russia or South Korea.

The International Olympic Committee narrowed the shortlist from seven to three at a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

The remaining candidate cities are PyeongChang in South Korea, Salzburg in Austria and Sochi in Russia.

The winner will be chosen in Guatemala City on 7 July 2007.

NZ club fields opening

2006-07-05T14:06:00.000+01:00

It looks like it's going to be a stonking start to the season for some of New Zealand's club fields this weekend.

Among the weekend openings will be Craigieburn and Mt Olympus, which open on Saturday 8 July, and Temple Basin, which opens on Sunday 9 July.

All three are located in South Island's Canterbury region and have fantastic bases thanks to recent dumps. Mt Olympus is reporting an impressive base of 123-183cm today with a whopping 44cm of fresh pow falling overnight.

If you're thinking of heading to these powder traps, bear in mind they only have rope tows, requiring a tow belt, nutcracker, protective gloves and a healthy dose of skill and determination.

Women only coaching at The Remarks

2006-07-03T17:11:00.000+01:00

Girlie riders at The Remarkables can take advantage of a new women only coaching programme announced by the Kiwi resort today.

The programme, which begins on 19 July, aims to encourage female boarders to try something new and improve their style in a macho-free environment.

Laura Woerlee, freestyle snowboard coach and co-ordinator at The Remarks, said: "It's all about having fun with your friends while introducing riders to freeriding, parkriding and a variety of different terrain."

The mountain will run five-hour sessions every second Wednesday, aimed at intermediate and advanced riders.

Find out more at www.nzski.com. (Check out their revamped web pages!)

Summer snow in Scotland?

2006-07-01T11:19:00.000+01:00

Six hardy skiers made it onto the slopes of Cairngorm last week to mark the beginning of summer. Yes, you read that correctly, skiing in Scotland in June.

Ski Press reported yesterday that the determined skiers found a sizeable snowfield not far from the top of the Ptarmigan tow. Amused hikers are said to have watched all the action, and the skiers even showed off a few tricks on a kicker.

Perhaps it's time to scoff a little less at Scotland's perceived lack of snow. Winterhighland.info reckons "there is certainly scope for some July snowsports for the ultra-keen".

Since this year's season kicked off in November, that would make July the ninth month of skiing and riding.

Check out the pics on www.winterhighland.info.

Sky News summer snow feature

2006-06-29T17:04:00.000+01:00

Looking for ideas on where to board over the next couple of months? Check out my summer snow article on Sky News' lifestyle website, www.sky.com/living. Just click on the skier photo to read the story.

Niehues map for Treble Cone

2006-06-27T14:01:00.000+01:00

Whistler aficionados will appreciate the style of Treble Cone's new trail map. It was designed by none other than James Niehues.

Past projects by Niehues have included trail maps for Heavenly and Vail in the USA, Lake Louise and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, and Thredbo in Australia.

Treble Cone's season began today with excellent conditions. All lifts at the Kiwi resort were open, including the Saddle Quad, which opened up new terrain in 2005.

Check out the new trail map or visit James Niehues' website, www.jamesniehues.com, to admire his full collection.

Ride launches 2006/7 range

2006-06-26T13:48:00.000+01:00

Two new women-specific boards are among Ride's recently launched 2006/7 range.

The Verona is aimed at "accomplished women who ride the entire mountain with style and opt for luxury performance", while Fever is a brand new freestyle board.

Also new for female riders are two women-specific high-back bindings, the DaLux and DaLux Lite.

Men haven't been forgotten. New this year is the Society, a high-end freestyle board.

Check out the new range on Ride's website www.ridesnowboards.com.

New Zealand snow keeps falling

2006-06-23T17:42:00.000+01:00

Yet more snow storms have been buffeting New Zealand this week and it's been a bumper start to the ski season.

Another 35cm hit Mt Hutt yesterday, bringing the base up to 1.2m. The season's start has been described as one of the best for over 15 years.

Cardrona opened today with bluebird skies and beautiful freshies, while Mt Lyford had to postpone opening until tomorrow as the snow hadn't stopped.

The Remarkables also kicks off its season tomorrow and this year will be the location for New Zealand's first Burton Learn to Ride Freestyle Centre.

In the North Island, roads around Mt Ruapehu have been closed by snow and wind, with more dumps forecast over the weekend. Turoa's base has reached 1.4m and Whakapapa's has hit the 1m mark. Impatient skiers and riders may have to wait until Monday for the weather and roads to clear.

Treble Cone opens on 27 June, with most other Kiwi resorts opening by 1 July.

Might be worth checking out the latest Air New Zealand deals...

Tignes snowpark open

2006-06-22T13:21:00.000+01:00

Tignes' snowpark opened this week, which is great news for European freestylers if the likes of New Zealand and Chile seem a little too far afield.

Check out the French resort's neat range of pipes, rails and jumps on the Snowpark map.

As you can see from the map, it's not all about the hardcore stuff. There's a beginner's halfpipe and a designated Easy Zone with smaller jumps and rails.

Tignes has plenty of other summer activities too. There's a top class mountain bike park, or you can try your hand at paragliding, golf, hiking, canyoning, rafting...The list goes on. There's also a swanky new 5000 sq m aquatic centre.

The Grande Motte glacier stays open for skiing and riding until September, meaning there's only a short break before the winter season kicks off again in October.

Find out more at the official Tignes website.

Queenstown Winter Festival

2006-06-20T17:07:00.000+01:00

Queenstown, New Zealand, celebrates the start of the winter season with its annual winter festival which begins on Friday.

There are over 60 events, from old favourites such as the Speight's Dog Derby and the Mardi Gras Parade, to the new Stolichnaya Expression Session, in which New Zealand's top boarders and skiers will show the crowd some style.

The highlight of the festival for girlies will be watching Queenstown's finest strutting their stuff at the Top Bloke Finale on Sunday 2 July.

The Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival runs from 23 June to 2nd July.

South American season begins

2006-06-17T13:05:00.000+01:00

South America's ski season is underway and the snow conditions are looking good.

Chile's Valle Nevado opened yesterday, followed by fellow Chilean resort Portillo today. Las Lenas and Catedral in Argentina also kick off their seasons today.

Catedral has installed six new lifts, including a quad cable car and a triple chair, as well as a drag lift taking advanced skiers to an off-piste area. The resort now has 39 lifts.

Portillo has added one new lift, Vizcachas. It is running themed weeks this winter, including a Chilean Wine Week from 5-12 August.

Coronet Peak now open

2006-06-15T13:55:00.000+01:00

'First on the chair' T-shirts and Lindauer bubbly were handed out to four eager locals at today's Coronet Peak opening.

Ski area manager Duncan Smith said: "It was an awesome morning, and everyone was smiling."

The Coronet Express, Meadow Chair, magic carpet and handle tow are all running. Greengates Express and the Rocky Gully T-bar will open later in the month.

The snow guns are blowing and more snow is forecast, so signs are that this could be a good season.

Coronet Peak to open on Thursday

2006-06-13T13:45:00.000+01:00

Queenstowners will be rushing for first lift this Thursday when Coronet Peak opens for the season.

The Kiwi mountain was disappointed to miss its original opening date of Saturday 10 June, but 27cm of fresh snow in the past two days have bolstered the base.

Temperatures are ideal for snowmaking too, and the machines are pumping out powder, meaning conditions are looking good for opening day.

Winter storm dumps on NZ's South Island

2006-06-12T13:38:00.000+01:00

It has been puking it down in New Zealand's South Island today. Both Mt Hutt and Treble Cone have reported dumps of 85cm!

Mt Hutt had a successful opening weekend, but with its upper mountain base now at 100cm, the next few days are promising to be sweet.

Treble Cone plans to open on 27 June. Look out for the new permanent terrain park.

Check out the latest Mt Hutt snow report.

More Aussie and Kiwi mountains open

2006-06-10T11:50:00.000+01:00

Perisher Blue may have beaten them to it, but fellow Aussie resorts Mt Buller and Thredbo were hot on its heels. Both opened officially today, as did Mt Hutt, in New Zealand's Canterbury region.

Mt Buller (www.mtbuller.com.au) has kicked off with a winter festival over the weekend and has launched a new automated snowmaking system. The snow levels don't look up to much at the moment though. The website says two lifts are open, but the snow report lists a base of 0cm and the webcam suggests a distinct lack of snow.

Thredbo (www.thredbo.com.au) looks a more promising option, with light snow currently falling and possible blizzards forecast for tomorrow.

Mt Hutt (www.nzski.com) was able to open from summit to base, thanks to a 20-30cm base. The Summit Six chair, Exhibition Quad and beginners' terrain park are all open.

Coronet Peak (www.nzski.com), near Queenstown, has been less lucky with the weather and has had to postpone its opening date, originally intended for today.

Perisher Blue opens early

2006-06-08T19:21:00.000+01:00

Thanks to a 30cm dump last week, Perisher Blue beat the other Aussie ski hills by opening two days early today.

Cold temperatures since the snowfall have meant snowmaking cannons have been put to work, adding an extra layer to the natural base.

Find out all about season opening events and check out the latest webcam pics on the Perisher Blue website. I've added it to my links on the right hand side.

Surfing the crud in Whistler

2006-06-06T13:59:00.000+01:00

Just back from a week in Whistler, BC. It was the last week of the winter season and Angus (my husband) and I treated ourselves to some end-of-season slush.

This year Whistler Blackcomb received nearly 12m of the fresh stuff, with a record 469cm in January alone.

Temperatures may have risen by the time we arrived, but the snow was sticking nicely and the base was still a respectable 170cm. A few determined riders were even making it down to the gondola midstation.

It's a brilliant time to go if you want to practise a few freestyle tricks. The lifts were quiet, and the Habitat Terrain Park under the Emerald Chair was still open, with a good selection of kickers and rails to suit all levels.

We moved pretty fast on the slush on our first day, but a couple of hot days meant conditions deteriorated, and the slopes were looking decidedly mucky.

Top tip: get your board tuned up with some super spring wax. By the end of our last afternoon, my board was black and my speed had reduced to about 1 mile an hour.

Whistler mountain wrapped up its winter season on 4 June, but Blackcomb has just opened for summer glacier skiing and riding, complete with a half pipe for the public, thanks to all that snow.

There are a few camps running over the summer. If you want to head up on your own however, the glacier is open daily from 12pm-3pm until 30 July. A one-day pass costs $47, or if you're heading out for the summer, earlybird season passes are available until 11 June for a bargain $299 (usual price $349).

More soon on the Whistler mountain bike park and other summer activities in the village.