New wind turbines in New England

If you needed proof that skiing and snowboarding has embraced the 21st Century, this week’s snow news roundup puts it beyond any doubt. Old-fashioned equipment and a lack of ski technology are a distant memory as we discover SkiTherapy counselling sessions, the New England wind turbine and the Jackson Hole iPhone App. Welcome to ski and snowboard 2.0…

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES

Intrawest Introduces Mandatory Helmets For Children And Ski School
Sun Peaks Resort To Award Top Ski Bum With Season Long Luxury Stay
SkiTherapy Offers Grief Counselling On The Slopes
Second New England Resort Builds Wind Turbine
Perisher Opens Shifty’s Run
Jackson Hole Launches iPhone app
Dutch Ski Federation Surveys Members on Environmental Awareness
Eagle Pass Heliskiing Offer Airbags And Offsetting
Skiweekends.com Reports Business Up
Sportsworld Offer Olympic Tours

Intrawest Introduces Mandatory Helmets For Children And Ski School

Intrawest, operators of nine North American ski areas including Whistler, Panorama, Steamboat, Winter Park and Tremblant, are introducing new requirements for children and teenagers and anyone taking ski school lessons to wear helmets on the slopes. The group will also require staff to wear helmets on the slopes in some circumstances.

The group’s decision comes after the high profile accidental death of actress Natasha Richardson after she fell and suffered apparently very superficial injuries during a ski school lesson at Tremblant last winter, only to die of a resulting blood clot to the brain.

The new rules “underscore Intrawest’s commitment to guest safety,” the company said in a statement issued Thursday.

The requirement for people taking lessons to wear helmets is regardless of age. Intrawest said it will require employees to wear helmets while on duty in any freestyle terrain parks beginning in the 2010-2011 season although some resorts are implementing the rule for the coming season.

It currently appears that the helmet-requirements will not be enforced on ski school staff working outside the parks, unlike for staff at another large US resort group Vail, which has said it will require all on-mountain skiing or boarding staff to wear helmets.

In ski and board school Intrawest previously recommended all children wore helmets but there was an opt-out waiver for parents, this will no longer being available for children and teens up to age 17 inclusive, however it is understood adults will be able to sign an opt-out waiver to not wear a helmet should they wish.

Intrawest has also announced that rental packages will now include helmets and that it is embarking on a programme of updating its brochures, website and other marketing material to show on-snow activity at its resorts being undertaken by helmet-wearing skiers and boarders.

The company also officially recommends that all skiers and snowboarders at its resorts use ski helmets.

Sun Peaks Resort To Award Top Ski Bum With Season Long Luxury Stay

Sun Peaks has announced the launch of a remarkable competition, which will give snow-lovers the chance to win an all-inclusive stay in the mountains for the entire 2009/2010 Winter Season.

One lucky skier or snowboarder winner of the ‘I want to be the Snow Bum’ contest will spend three months of the coming ski season at the leading Canadian ski area, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling or even dog sledding.

The competition winner will be provided with a season’s pass for the mountains, food vouchers, accommodation in a number of Sun Peak’s finest hotels, plus equipment and outerwear. The winner will also enjoy a wide range of additional perks including VIP and backstage passes to resort events and functions.

“What could be better than riding every day and living on a mountain in a world class village,” says Christopher Nicolson, President of Tourism Sun Peaks. “People travel from all over the world for a week at Sun Peaks. This winner will live and ski or board the whole winter…for free!”

Potential snow bums can win this opportunity to shred all winter by simply submitting a 60-second video showcasing their wit, charisma, love of the mountains, and the ability to make the most of this spectacular adventure. The competition is open to any intermediate skier or snowboarder over 19 years, anywhere in the world.

In return for all the snow, accommodation, gear, food and airfare, the winner will be expected to keep the rest of the envious world updated on their activities through social media avenues such as Facebook, Twitter and the official blog on www.snowbumcanada.com.

Videos should be submitted to www.snowbumcanada.com by Sunday, November 15. Sun Peaks’ judges will announce finalists on November 19, who will undergo an interview and written-essay assessment.

The winner will be announced December 1 and begin their three month stay on January 4, 2010. Contestants must be at least 19 years or older and have an applicable visa for the duration of their stay if they are from outside Canada.

www.snowbumcanada.com

SkiTherapy Offers Grief Counselling On The Slopes

A US based organisation, Healing Quest, is offering four day Ski Therapy family therapy sessions, “in ski resort environments,” for families suffering from grief and loss or families with a family member returning from a residential treatment of wilderness therapy program.

“For the returning family member, the cues and triggers of the home environment, combined with the stress of family patterns, can contribute to overwhelm and relapse behavior. By working on the family relationship in a supported, therapeutic, resort environment, the family will reinforce the changes made during their child’s treatment. “ said a company statement.

Similarly families impacted by grief and loss are, “supported through education, self-generated ritual, individual grieving time, and therapeutic processes integrated with skiing.”

“Each Ski Therapy™ program is tailored to fit each individual family we serve. As a team, we consult with the family’s existing therapeutic support to create an effective treatment plan. Each family will have the opportunity to practice communication skills, family goals negotiation, working with strong emotions, experiential therapeutic sessions, psychological education, and relaxation and restoration techniques.” the statement continued.

Therapists also provide experiential therapeutic skiing sessions for individuals and families.

The therapy sessions are arranged at Colorado resorts including Vail, Keystone, Winter Park / Mary Jane, and Breckenridge. Fees range from $5900 to $9900 depending on family size, activities and accommodations.

The Ski Therapy™ team is lead by expert therapists experienced in integrating the wilderness into therapeutic work for individuals and families. They include Katie Asmus, a core faculty member of the Wilderness Therapy Masters in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology program at Naropa University and Jody Radtke, the Program Clinical Director who has directed the programs of the Women’s Wilderness Institute in Boulder, Colorado for five years.

www.skitherapy.com

Second New England Resort Builds Wind Turbine

Bolton Valley Ski area in Vermont is currently erecting a wind turbine close to the end of the Vista quad chair lift, the first for a ski area in the state. Construction is due to be completed by early October.

Wind speeds at the summit average about 7mph but can get up to 40 or 50 miles an hour – not ideal for skiing and boarding but great for wind power generation.

The turbine is expected to generate about 350,000 kilowatt hours a year, about an eighth of the area’s power needs, meaning about 277 less tons of carbon dioxide will be produced each year. The resorts quarter-of-a-million dollar power bill should also drp by around 15% with the installation of the 40-m high, $800,000 turbine.

The turbine is much smaller than the Zephyr Turbine at fellow New England ski area Jiminy Peak and there were no objections to its installation during public consultation.

Perisher Opens Shifty’s Run

Local legend at Perisher ski resort in Australia, Grant ‘Shifty’ Turnbull, turned 80 this year and to help celebrate he received the highest tribute this season with the unveiling of a ski run named in his honour. ‘Shifty’s’, as the run was coined, is a celebration of Shifty’s many years of outstanding service at Perisher and his contribution to snow sports.

A Bondi surfer turned skier, Shifty first traded the white-capped waves for white-capped mountains back in 1959. He began his career in the snow as a boiler stoker at Charlottes Pass Ski Resort in the Snowy Mountains. Since then he has completed 50 consecutive winter seasons in Perisher, plus 30 in Europe at Soll Ski Resort in Austria’s Skiwelt.

“I’m from Bondi originally. I grew up surfing there but, I thought I’d like to get into skiing so I moved down to this area,” said Shifty. “I’m heading back to Bondi to go body boarding after this season before I head over to Europe where I work as a ski instructor,” he continued.

Shifty’s first season at Perisher was in 1964; he was employed as Perisher’s first ever paid professional ski patroller, and the only one for the entire resort at that time. He began working as a ski instructor in 1970, which he continues to do today. He is currently also employed as a ‘stripper’ at The Man From Snowy River Hotel, in Perisher Valley.

“It’s not what you think though, he literally strips beds every Friday and Sunday during the season.” Said a Perisher spokesperson.

It’s his love for people and the sport that has kept Shifty coming back year after year. “I love meeting people and communicating with them. The best thing about being a ski instructor is that it doesn’t matter who you are – doctor, lawyer, garbage-man or Prime Minister, when you’re learning everyone starts as a beginner; skiing is a very good leveller,” said Shifty.

He’s met some big named stars during his time, including Roman Polanski, the famous film director. “Not that I knew who he was at the time,” said Shifty.

Over the years Shifty has witnessed a number of changes take place in the ski industry. Since he first started at Perisher, 45 years ago, Perisher has merged into one giant resort; installing a number of ski lifts providing snow riders with access to a larger variety of terrain; the introduction of snowmaking and high tech grooming; he has witnessed first hand the development of the Perisher Centre and Skitube; as well as the introduction of the carve ski, which has revolutionized the sport of skiing.

Shifty’s run, located skiers right off the top of Eyre T-bar on Mt Perisher, is a double blue diamond run and has always been a favourite place for Shifty to ski. It’s the closest run to the resort boundary and on a powder day is the stuff of rider’s dreams.

When asked how he felt about having a run named in his honour Shifty replied, “It’s alright; I didn’t know it was going to be quite so much of a big deal, so I thank the company for that. Every time I ski down Shifty’s, I was over there yesterday, I keep thinking I’m on my own run here; this is my very own personal run!”

Hoe Grant’s nickname “Shifty” came about is lost in the mists of time, but he insists he isn’t and never has been.

Jackson Hole Launches iPhone app

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Resorts Tapped LLC have announced the launch of JH Tapped, a GPS iPhone application developed exclusively for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. JH Tapped uses the iPhone’s built-in GPS to locate the user and their friends on the official Jackson Hole trail map and log the user’s runs and vertical feet travelled.

JH Tapped is the first app tailored to an individual resort and allows users to pinpoint their location on the actual Jackson Hole trail map, not a hard-to-read topographical or satellite map.

JH Tapped also provides current weather and snow conditions, resort webcam views, and real-time lift status information, as well as a built-in directory for Teton Village services and amenities.

JH Tapped was conceived and developed by Dan and Ingrid Miller, Jackson Hole locals and resort employees. “We have taken full advantage of the iPhone’s capabilities,” said Dan Miller, “and I think people will be impressed by the app’s features.” JH Tapped will be an indispensable guide to Jackson Hole this winter for both first time visitors and seasoned locals.

free preview version is now available on the iPhone App Store. The 2009-2010 complete version; JH Tapped 2010, will be available in early November and will offer even more features including: an interface for uploading logs to Facebook and enhanced location capabilities that use the iPhone’s built-in compass to display the direction the user is facing or travelling.

www.ResortsTapped.com

Dutch Ski Federation Surveys Members on Environmental Awareness

A survey carried out by The Dutch Ski Federation (NSkiV) in partnership with environmental campaigners Respect the Mountains has revealed that the importance of the environment was rated with a 6.7 on a scale of 10.

The study revealed that many respondents were willing to do something to improve the environment in the Alps. 90% claimed to dispose of their rubbish in a rubbish bin, 49% don’t ski off piste or if they do, do so in a responsible way, 35% save energy and 30% consider the environment when they choose their resort. Only 4% don’t do anything to help the environment.

“It’s great that many skiers and snowboarders are aware of the vulnerability of mountain areas, but there is room for improvement”, said Joris Gieske of the NSkiV. “We are committed to show all winter sport tourists the impact of our sport on the mountain environment. More people have to take action to lower their environmental impact on the Alps. Massive changes in behaviour will be needed if future generations want to enjoy the mountains as we do.”

To achieve this, the NSkiV has started collaborating with organisations like Respect the Mountains.

“Finding information to organise a ski holiday in a sustainable way is not so easy. To help the winter sports enthusiast the NSkiV publishes, in cooperation with Respect the Mountains, tips and tricks so holiday makers van make their winter sports holiday more environmentally friendly. From mid-October this information can be found in Wintersport Magazine and the website www.wintersport.nl.” said Gieske.

Eagle Pass Heliskiing Offer Airbags And Offsetting

Revelstoke, BC based Eagle Pass Heliskiing has launched two new initiatives in its quest to offer both improved safety and environmental stewardship.

Regarding safety the ‘SnowPulse Lifebag’ is a functioning backpack which contains a refillable compressed air cylinder and airbag within the shoulder straps. When deployed by the user the airbag inflates in a horseshoe shape around the users head and thorax and acts as a massive lifejacket and airbag, keeping users on the surface and protecting them from trauma injuries.

The company also claims to be the first helicopter skiing operation to offer guests the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint. As part of Eagle Pass Heliskiing’s corporate responsibility and awareness of the growing impacts and magnitude of climate change, clients can purchase and direct their contributions to the highly rated “Planetair” which supports renewable energy projects. These projects are managed by ‘myclimate’, which adheres to the most widely accepted quality seal for voluntary carbon offset.

“We strongly believe that the safety and environmental measures we have taken go a long way to cementing our position as the elite ‘new wave’ heli ski company in British Columbia,” claims J Shepherd, the cheif Mountain Guide for Eagle Pass Heliskiing. “Our goal is to provide the ultimate skiing holiday, but without sacrifice to safety or the environment.”

Eagle Pass Heliskiing offers small group helicopter skiing by operating tours with groups of four skiers in the Monashee mountains where the company has the exclusive rights to a huge area, 14 times larger than all the ski resorts in Colorado combined, all used by 12 guests only.

The ’boutique style’ heli-skiing company offers all inclusive ski packages are available for 3 to 7 days, and are for most skier abilities.

www.eaglepassheliskiing.com

Skiweekends.com Reports Business Up

For the third year in succession, budget ski operator Skiweekends.com has reported forward sales for the coming ski are season more than 80 per cent ahead of last year.

The figures comes on the back of record sales for the company – bookings were up more than 20 per cent in 2008/09 – in the year that saw overall ski holiday sales fall by a similar amount.

“Skiers and boarders tend to be pretty fanatical about their sport. Their determination to get to the slopes – despite the current financial obstacles for many – means that operators such as ourselves who can offer great value packages such as three days skiing for just one day off work are going to win out,” said managing director, Dan Fox.

“It’s sad when top-notch operators such as Descent International have to close their doors and it’s likely that there will be other independent operators who will be unable to survive the falling sales they are reporting. This year, more than ever, skiers need to ensure that their chosen operator is properly bonded.

“Instead of contracting, Skiweekends.com and sister-programme Skiweeks.com continue to expand. This season we’re offering flight-inclusive weekend breaks to Morzine and Saas Fee for the first time, are expanding the range of French resorts available as flexible fly/drive options and offering even more coach departures to meet growing demand.” added Mr Fox.

www.skiweekends.com

Sportsworld Offer Olympic Tours

Sportsworld, a leading travel, hospitality and event services company, is offering a mix of escorted tours to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics (12th-28th February 2010), with prices starting from £2845 per person (20th-24th February), including four nights four star bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, guaranteed official tickets to four events – curling (Vancouver Olympic Centre), ice hockey (Canada Hockey Place), freestyle skiing (Cypress Mountain) and a medal ceremony.

The price also includes one sightseeing tour, airport, hotel and event transfers, welcome drinks, three lunches, two dinners and one post-event buffet, official merchandise and the services of the experienced Sportsworld Olympic Team.

Whistler was born on an Olympic dream. Franz Wilhelmsen, the man who opened Whistler for skiing in the 1960′s, did so in the hopes of hosting the Games there. It has taken almost 50 years for that dream to be realised as Whistler Blackcomb is the official Alpine Skiing venue and Vancouver the Host City for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Sportsworld are offering their clients the chance to ski with the most successful member of the world-renowned “Crazy Canucks”, Canada’s national ski team of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Famous for its athletes’ daredevil antics and high speeds on the world’s most difficult and dangerous slopes. A former Olympic and World Cup medallist, Steve Podborski went on to become the first North American to win the an Olympic Medal in Downhill Skiing and still remains the only non-European male to win the World Cup Downhill Title.

Packages excluding tickets are also available starting from £1,140 for four nights in a four star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, airport transfers and welcome drinks. Event tickets are requested and paid separately and flights and additional nights are available on request.

Sportsworld offer packages starting from £3,525 per person (1st – 3rd March) including two nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Whistler, transfer from Vancouver to Whistler, ski hire, lift pass and the guided skiing day with Steve Podborski

www.sportsworld.co.uk

Image provided by vaxomatic.