Getting to Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is always going to be a faff. Of course, if you have time, a faff is exactly what you want. It's while faffing that you meet people and see all the weird signs, bits of tat, delicious and suspicious food - essentially stumble around in the detail - of another country. Why do people travel if not to make life harder for themselves? More difficult, more rewarding, more surprising.
Submitted by HannahEngelkamp on Fri, 26/02/2010 - 13:14
Powder time! After a few weeks of fairly average snow, things have finally started to improve. Last week we had around 15cm of fresh snow and for the last 3 days, it has been snowing non stop. What makes conditions even more ideal for the powder-hungry individual, is that a fair percentage of tourists seem to be adverse to even stepping foot on the mountain, unless of course, the sun is shining.
Well as the half term frenzy is drawing to a close it looks like the spring weather is already on the way. We have been lucky here in Zermatt to be feeling a little unusual warm spell. With plus 14 during the day in town, the temperatures have been quite pleasurable on the piste. Which as you Zermatt regulars will know is quite a nice treat.
Ski Club are holding a new event in Tignes on Wednesday 7th April - Dual Slalom. They are teaming up with Evolution 2 to host the event which promises to be a fun filled day for all - with fancy dress (optional but you really should!), free drink, great prizes and an after party.
Saas-Fee has kicked into full gear over the last 2weeks and this week coming is lining up for more of the same. A quite season can be fun if there is lots of snow, but I’ve never known the two coincide. The cry in town is give me powder, big heaps and dumps of the stuff. Having been spoilt last winter everyone is felling the lean winter this year.
“I’m heading to Jackson”. Drop that gem in the lower 48 and watch everyone’s eyes get big like silver dollars. The place is legendary – Judaism has Jerusalem, Islam has Mecca. Those of us in the skiing community who only ski the green circles to get to the bar have Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The name even rolls off your lips, like a pair of fat skis rolling into 45-50 degree Pucker Face on Cody Bowl.
Every once in a while we at Mad Dog get a chance to leave the desk behind and head for the thing we all desire most at this time of year, the mountains.
This time it was my turn!
So with everything booked well in advance we got in the car and started our journey to Serre Chevalier.
With Half Term holidays in both the UK and France, the slopes and resort have become crowded and busy. Despite the busy pistes, the mood in the resort is fun and lively. Here is the latest from Val d’Isère:
February half term is on and the secret stashes are the place to be.
Well, February half term is in full swing and the crowds are in, and although the main areas are pretty busy there are plenty of secret stashes around Megeve that stay quiet all the time. Head around to the north facing basin of ‘Cote 2000’ and once the racing has finished the area is a peaceful playground even in the peak weeks.
After lots of snow falling last week this week seems to be one bluebird after another! Its crisp and cold first thing in the morning but by lunchtime the sun is warm and the pistes are softening up. It looks like there's going to be another dump of snow towards the weekend too! Most of the off-piste is tracked out by now, but there are still a few fun turns to be had underneath the Albona I chair in Stuben.
After a ‘scratchy’ start to the season the snow finally arrived, about 30 cm had fallen over a couple of days in early January so when we woke to a lovely sunny, very cold, alpine sparkly day we took the opportunity to go out early and find some first tracks. We headed for the Le Z drag and on to the Verdons Nord lift for the Bozelet Ridge, as we arrived at the top we popped out of the shadow and into the sunshine immediately warming us and were welcomed by the stunning views over towards the Vanoise National Park and Courchevel!
Whether your life is fine without a Valentine, or you need a little Dutch courage to help you find one in resort, this mini-guide to the best of this season’s aprés joints should come in handy. The Mad Dog bloggers in resort have been putting the (happy) hours in, and can now reveal exactly where it’s at.
To help you figure out why the little Lycra-clad folk on the telly are doing the crazy things they do, here’s a digested version of the rules of each sport about to kick off in Vancouver. We’ve gone into a bit more detail on the skiing and snowboarding side because, let’s face it, that’s the bit we like best...
Zermatt is finally looking a little more white thanks to a few small dumps over the past few days. The off piste is in much better condition but i would definately stick to the marked yellow itinerary runs for the moment as the snow pack is super unstable. Avalanche risk is at a level 3 all over Switzerland but I would treat it like a level 5. Due to the minimal snow at the beginning of the season and very cold temperatures, it’s going to be pretty risky until the spring now.
There’s no denying it’s a very long way away, and it’s taken two days, plus some vigorous jetlag, to get to this point, but the first faceful of their famous champagne powder blows that all away
Submitted by HannahEngelkamp on Sat, 13/02/2010 - 00:22
I’m looking out across my balcony at gorgeous blue skies, quiet pistes and melting snow! We’re not forecast any significant snow fall in the next couple of days, but there is still some good soft snow to be found off piste, particularly over in Auris. The park is being built up everyday too so a great place to wile away a couple of hours.
Hollywood hits the slopes in a new horror film called Frozen that sees two snowboarders and a skier stranded on a chairlift overnight. The flick is written and directed by Adam Green, and follows three good-looking twentysomethings facing frost bite and hypothermia as they struggle to get down the mountain.
Megeve Blog - Powder, powder,...... oh and more powder!
The snow has been falling thick and fast over the past week with the odd break in the cloud to get out and enjoy some fresh, laid back powder turns. Mostly however, the clouds have been in and the best places to ski have been through the spacious wooded areas between the “La Princess” pistes, and what a blast it’s been.
Things are already well under way in Val d’Isère this season, with racing galore, perfect snow and fantastic après-ski opportunities. Here is the latest from resort:
The past week has see quite a lot of weather coming in. Pretty much everyday its been snowing and Wednesday looks to have a massive dump, although the winds are quite high so that the upper chairlifts (Ahlenmahderbahn, Schindlergrat) may well be closed due to avalanche risk and subsequently restricting access to the rest of the Arlberg ski area. Stuben yesterday was great fun, its nearly all north facing and so holds its snow very well, as you can see in the photos!
Heavy snow fall in Meribel which means great skiing this weekend and next week - however the downside also means that the traffic is due to be bad and snow chains will be necessary...
With all the snow that has been falling on and off as well as the low temperatures we have been experiencing for the last few weeks the conditions are good. On piste is in really good shape and the pisteurs are working hard to keep it that way, there are huge piles of man-made snow developing all over resort, which can be interesting when suddenly the piste ahead of you disappears into a small funnel!! Off piste is varied but there are still some excellent places to be found.
After a fairly abysmal start to the season the snow eventually started falling after two weeks of sunshine. Since then we have had more than our fair share of powder days and more recently, periods of blue sky conditions that often last all day long. Although most people are glad to enjoy the recent sunshine it is clear that a fresh dump would make conditions all the better. Some areas are starting to get a little icy.
Conditions are excellent here in Morzine and in particular on the Avoriaz side of the Portes du Soleil. At least 3cm of snow is forecast for each day this week and although temperatures have dropped, they aren't stopping anyone from enjoying the quiet lifts! Seasonnaires are taking full advantage of the calm before the February half term storm.
I am not like 99% of American worker bees, in that I actually relish Monday mornings. They are special to me, because after 3 straight days of running and coaching the largest developmental freestyle ski team in Colorado, I get to hike for my turns at Berthoud Pass with my 2 Newfoundland dogs, Ella and Nieves. I have reached a point where I enjoy the hike as much as the ski. It brings me peace and clears my head.
Mad Dog has spent the last hour thinking about booze! Kate, the boss, was answering questions on all things aprés as part of a panel of experts on a Times Online live discussion. Lots of good tip in there - check it out here!
Submitted by HannahEngelkamp on Wed, 03/02/2010 - 17:17
Hi, here's the latest update from St Anton, Austria
SNOW NEWS:
Its been a good last couple of weeks, despite there only being one significant fall of snow, its stayed really cold and sunny most days - my goggle tan is quite severe! Theres even heaps of snow still lying around at resort level. Snowboarder jibbers have been enjoying the natural hits which are well carved into the sides of the pistes by now. If you're energetic enough for a hike there are still fresh lines to be had off piste too.
Ski Club are holding a new event in Tignes on Wednesday 7th April - Dual Slalom. They are teaming up with Evolution 2 to host the event which promises to be a fun filled day for all - with fancy dress (optional but you really should!), free drink, great prizes and an after party.
Chatel have some great deals - uptp 40% off ski pass, under 12 yrs old go free and lots more.
Well, February half term is in full swing and the crowds are in, and although the main areas are pretty busy there are plenty of secret stashes around Megeve that stay quiet all the time. Head around to the north facing basin of ‘Cote 2000’ and once the racing has finished the area is a peaceful playground even in the peak weeks.
Snow News:
It's snowing again in Whistler, preparing the ground for the Olympics and visitors alike.
I’m looking out across my balcony at gorgeous blue skies, quiet pistes and melting snow! We’re not forecast any significant snow fall in the next couple of days, but there is still some good soft snow to be found off piste, particularly over in Auris. The park is being built up everyday too so a great place to wile away a couple of hours.
Today Mad Dog has been talking about mountain food on the Times Online 
Conditions are excellent here in 
Mad Dog has spent the last hour thinking about booze! Kate, the boss, was answering questions on all things aprés as part of a panel of experts on a Times Online live discussion. Lots of good tip in there - check it out 