Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski RegionPhoto by Jungfrau Ski Region. Kleine Scheidegg Lauberhorn - Starthuesi .

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region

In the 2018/2019 winter sports season the Jungfrau Ski Region recorded 1.05 million ski visits and increased the number of visitors by 5.9 per cent compared to the 2017/2018 season.

After the challenging start to the 2018/2019 winter sports season, more ski visits were registered over public holidays as well as during the main holiday season in the Jungfrau Ski Region than during last year’s season. Not least, the long-lasting good weather and the excellent snow conditions in February contributed to the positive result. With 1,045,955 skier visits from the beginning of the season up to 28 April 2019, the entire Jungfrau Ski region recorded an increase of 5.9% on the winter sports season 2017/2018. However, visitor numbers are still lower than in the successful winter sports season of 2007/2008.

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region Grindelwald. First Winterski - Wetterhorn. - Photo by Jungrau Ski Region.
Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region Grindelwald. First Winterski – Wetterhorn. – Photo by Jungrau Ski Region.

Biggest growth for Grindelwald and Wengen
The Jungfrau Ski Region consists of the sub-ski areas of Grindelwald-First, Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen and Mürren-Schilthorn. Overall, the areas of Grindelwald and Wengen recorded the largest increase in visitors. In the First area, 6.2 per cent more winter sports enthusiasts were registered than in the previous year. In the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen area, a total of 607,333 guests enjoyed their skiing in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, an increase of 7.6 per cent. In Mürren 226,807 skier visits (+ 1.9%) were registered for the Schilthorn area.

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Doppelmayr-Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn

Cabin of the Schilthorn new funicular. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn. Picture courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa.

Doppelmayr-Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn

Commencing in 2021, Doppelmayr/Garaventa is to build four Funifors and one of the world’s steepest reversible aerial tramways for Schilthornbahn AG. If these had been in place 50 years ago, James Bond would have reached his destination a whole lot faster…

Station on the Doppelmayr-Garaaventa at the Schilthorn. Drawing courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn.
Station on the Doppelmayr-Garaaventa at the Schilthorn. Drawing courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn.

Garaventa AG submitted the winning bid for the project, “SCHILTHORN 20XX”, and is to build the new ropeways from Stechelberg up to the popular tourist destination, Schilthorn mountain, which in 1969 provided the setting for the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. The operating company is investing in the construction of four Funifors (particularly wind-resistant ropeway system with wide rope gauge) and one of the world’s steepest aerial tramways with a maximum grade of 160 percent. Total order volume amounts to 45 million Swiss francs. The construction work is due to begin in 2021 and will take until 2026.

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Leitner Premium EVO: The chair evolution continues

Leitner Premium EVO: The chair evolution continues. Photo: Leitner Ropeways.

Leitner Premium EVO: The chair evolution continues

LEITNER ropeways maximizes headroom for passengers and introduces new safety and comfort components

One of LEITNER ropeways’ main aims is to further develop existing strengths. The latest example is the LEITNER Premium Chair EVO, setting the new standard by combining ride comfort, safety and technology. The key features of this striking evolutionary stage include the significantly increased headroom thanks to a uniquely arched bubble and an even quieter ride experience thanks to optimized technology used for the chair suspension. The range of services is completed by new safety features and even more individual design freedom.

 

When first developing the LEITNER Premium Chair EVO, a high standard was expected: to optimize all component parts. The first visible signs of this are the elegant shape and design featuring high-quality materials. As an example, the discerning design of the new chair has been refined with a leather finish, therefore ensuring a premium ride experience.

For years, standard modern chairlifts have featured tried-and-tested comfort padding in synthetic leather variants, and it is therefore also a key component of the new chair model.

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SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

A familie in Åre. Photo courtesy SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.

SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

Comments from the CEO Mats Årjes. “Continued strong interest in alpine skiing is the underlying reason that SkiStar can present the best half-year result in its history. Profit after tax is SEK 87 million more than last year.

During the quarter, which includes Christmas and New Year and much of the Swedish spring school break period, the number of skier days increased by one percent from the corresponding period last year. The Christmas and New Year periods as well as the spring school break period have led to new visit and sales records. The quarter ended with total sales growth, including the exploitation business, of 11 percent.

Powder Skiing. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19
Powder Skiing. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

This season we have only one Easter week, 15-22 April. Last year we had two earlier Easter weeks, from 26 March to 8 April. This means that our booking situation (through SkiStar accommodation agency operations) for the remaining season is seven percent lower than at the same time last year. The later Easter will of course also mean later bookings, which affects the comparative figures.

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The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

The new V-Cableway can get you to the Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe or to the ski slopes much faster.

As for example, the distance from the Terminal in Grindelwald to the Jungfraujoch, used to take you 1 h 28 minutes and now it will take you 45 minutes – 43 minutes faster than before!

The tunnel excavation for the Bergstation of the Eigerexpress. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.
The tunnel excavation for the Bergstation of the Eigerexpress. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

Also, from Lauterbrunnen to Jungraujoch, it used to take you 1 h 47 min and now you will be able to do it 17 minutes faster at 1 h 45 min.

From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is now 1 h 30 minutes, compared to 2 h 17 minutes that used to be the time to get there, now 47 minutes faster!

From Bern to Eigergletscher – some of the ski slopes, you can be in 1 h 49 minutes instead of before 2 h 36 minutes- 47 minutes faster.

It is the same case from Zurich to Eigergletscher – now can be done in 2 h 51 minutes instead of 3 h 38 minutes (47 minutes faster).

The V-Cableway project has great economic significance for the Jungfrau Region and above all for Grindelwald. A significantly positive impact on employment and value creation in Grindelwald and in the canton of Bern is expected in the construction phase as well as during the operational phase.

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Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8 Photo Aspen Snowmass.

Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019

ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colo.—May 28, 2019— Aspen Mountain will reopen this weekend, June 1-2, for the continuation of summer operations with skiing and riding on 130 acres of skiable terrain. The gondola will be open for sightseeing and the Sundeck will offer food and beverage options as well as a music on the deck during the day.

Darcy Conover skiing fresh corduroy down a steep snow covered groomed slope in the mountains at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado - Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019. Photo Aspen Snowmass.
Darcy Conover skiing fresh corduroy down a steep snow covered groomed slope in the mountains at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado – Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019. Photo Aspen Snowmass.

The Silver Queen Gondola will operate from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., as long as conditions warrant, for laps on Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s. Everyone will be required to download on the gondola.

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Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Jeremy Vessey Unsplash.

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK

From Aspen Daily News and Steamboat Pilot

As reported on the Aspen Daily News and the Steamboat Pilot an aggressive bear has bitten a woman on the tight while she and her husband were hiking on the Hunter Creek Trail near Lone Pine Road in Aspen at approximately 9.15 AM on Monday morning.

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Aspen Daily News.
Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Aspen Daily News.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife release said that “They saw a bear walking toward them on the trail. The woman says they tried to give the bear space and stepped off the trail. As the bear walked by, she says it suddenly turned, charged and bit her before it ran off and disappeared from view.”

The woman is not in a serious condition thankfully and was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital.

The bear was described as light brown and of around 200 and 300 pounds. It yet has to be located.

Officials are looking for the bear, but they are having to identify between lots of bear tracks in the area.

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Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski

Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski .Tram in the clouds - Luciano Ribas - Unsplash

Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski

The acquisition by Hotelplan UK of short break specialist Flexiski from its parent company Travelopia, was announced today for an undisclosed sum.

Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski
Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski
Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski
Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski

flexiski  has operated tailor-made short-stay ski holidays since 1990, with currently five high-quality chalets and over 175 hotels across 48 resorts in France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Canada and Japan. Quality is a real hallmark of the brand, which has been at the forefront of more tailored, personalised and flexible skiing for over 20 years.

Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski . Photo: Unsplash. Toa Heftiba. Les Deux Alpes
Hotelplan UK Group acquires Flexiski . Photo: Unsplash. Toa Heftiba. Les Deux Alpes

At Hotelplan UK, the brand and team will join the Group’s existing portfolio of activity and experience holiday companies, which includes Inghams (whose range comprises Ski, Lakes & Mountains, Lapland and specialist Italy holidays), family skiing market leader Esprit Holidays, chalet specialist Ski Total, Santa’s Lapland short breaks, self-guided walking and cycling experts, Inntravel and small-groups Adventure travel specialist, Explore Worldwide.

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A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

An aerial image of the road obstruction. Photo: CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

From The Journal, Denver Post and CDOT

A crew Sunday night blasted one of two boulders that shut down Colorado Highway 145 north of Dolores since Friday, and built a temporary road to allow traffic through.

Trucks hauled way the rubble beginning Sunday, and the bypass road opened Monday afternoon.

The explosion of the boulder - photo CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado
The explosion of the boulder – photo CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

The rock slide prompted three days of work to try to reopen the highway, a key route between Dolores and Telluride, and an alternate route to the Iron Horse bicycle race from Durango to Silverton.

On Saturday, officials assessed the ridgeline above the highway for additional threats. CDOT had two priorities: to “patch the damaged road” and to ensure the stability of the rock ridge formation.

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Skiworld raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp

Skiworld raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp. Photo: Snow-Camp-Skiworld.

Skiworld raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp

For the 2018/19 season, running from 1st May 2018 to 30th April 2019, Skiworld managed to raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp through a number of fundraising initiatives. Snow-Camp are a national youth charity dedicated to turning around the lives of some of the UK’s most underprivileged inner-city young people with the power of skiing, snowboarding, life-skills, qualifications and vocational opportunities.

Skiworld raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp. Photo: Snow-Camp-Skiworld.
Skiworld raise £15,000 for charity partner, Snow-Camp. Photo: Snow-Camp-Skiworld.

Skiworld fundraising initiatives included:

–          Auction ski holiday for Snow-Camps 15 Year Anniversary Ball

–          UK office Christmas jumper party

–          Pre-paid donations (online and over the phone)

–          In resort donations

–          End of Season Challenge

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