Gales and tide surges wreak havoc in all of Italy, killing at least 10. What is the situation in Trentino-Alto Adige and Belluno

Lots of trees have fallen due to a massive storm in the area of Trentino Alto Adige and Belluno. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco. Twitter.

What is the situation in Trentino-Alto Adige and Belluno: Gales and tide surges wreak havoc in all of Italy, killing at least 10.

Gales and tide surges wreak havoc in Italy, killing at least 10. After two days of severe weather that has caused historic flooding, at least 10 people are dead in Italy nationwide.

Arabba after the storm. Gales and tide surges wreak havoc in all of Italy, killing at least 10. What is the situation in Trentino Alto Adige and Belluno.
Arabba after the storm. Gales and tide surges wreak havoc in all of Italy, killing at least 10. What is the situation in Trentino Alto Adige and Belluno.

Italy has seen gales that sent trees crashing into cars, water surges have destroyed a port and high tides in Venice have flooded the San Marco Basilica.

There were dozens injured by the weather conditions.

But in the mountains, on Monday a body of a woman was found in Val di Sole,  and the body of a fisherman was found by firefighters in Lake Levico in Trentino, and a volunteer firefighter was hit by a falling tree during an operation at San Martino in Badia, in Alto Adige. The fisherman found in Lake Levico is likely to have been blown into the lake by the winds.   Falling trees was the cause of many of the deaths and of major disruption.

La Repubblica stated that “In 48 hours there have been over 7,000 interventions” by firefighters at a national level, many of them for removal of fallen trees, it reported.

Some mudslides isolated parts of the country and several rivers saw record levels and potential floods. In the northeast of Italy, snowstorms trapped tourists at resorts. At higher elevations as Stelvio pass near the border with Switzerland, 180 people remained cut out after a heavy snowfall blocked the alpine pass, ANSA reports.

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What is new in Gstaad for the 2018-19 ski season

Gstaad in winter. Quarantine Rules Removed in Switzerland as of 4 December

Gstaad is getting ready for the 2018-19 ski season and here is what is new in the resort.

LIFTS AND SNOW

A new gondola is commencing operations in Gstaad- The new Saanemöser-Saanersloch gondola will start running in the winter of 2018/19, and will transport in a quick and comfortable way skiers and boarders to the ski area and the Saanersloch ridge. This is a “D-line” gondola made by Swiss manufacturer Garaventa-Doppelmayer, a world’s first in its roof construction. The gondola is surrounded by glass, giving passengers amazing views of the Swiss Alps.

Rellerli- Skifahren- What is new in Gstaad for the 2018-19 ski season. Photo: Gstaad tourism office.
Rellerli- Skifahren- What is new in Gstaad for the 2018-19 ski season. Photo: Gstaad tourism office.

Fun in the snow at Weyerli – a little ski resort in the heart of Bern
When it is foggy in winter in the lowlands, Gstaad wants to encourage kids in Bern out into the snow with a children’s ski area that has a magic carpet allowing children access to snowsports in winter. The area opens end of November until the end of January/early February at the Weyermannshaus outdoor pool. This area is in association with the adjacent Weyermannshaus artificial ice rink where a small skiing and toboggan run has also been introduced.

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Snow in the Alps this weekend and the week to come

Driving with snow- check if you need snow tyres and/or snow chains. Photo Adrian- Unsplash. Skiers Face Winterisation and Ski Rack Charges Adding up to £179 On Car Hire Bill.

It has been snowing hard this weekend in the Alps, finalising the summer time as the clocks turned.

As per SWI – Swissinfo.ch – Arosa got over 70 cm and the Eastern Alps were affected in particular with snow in low altitudes.

Parts of Graünden got 30 to 70 cm of snow at over 1,200 m over sea level.

You can see here the difference in Davos from Saturday to Sunday, twitted by SRF

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1056179352503808000

SRF is also warning of large snowfalls and rainfalls between Monday and Tuesday

SRF Meteo photo - They caution that on Monday and Tuesday there are risks of large rainfall across some Alpine regions.
SRF Meteo photo – They caution that on Monday and Tuesday there are risks of large rainfall across some Alpine regions.
SRF Meteo announces heavy rain from the Upper Valais over the Ticino to Southern Grisons.
SRF Meteo announces heavy rain from the Upper Valais over the Ticino to Southern Grisons.

Arosa got the highest snowfall at 72 cm.

Lenzerheide webcam - Bergfex cameras.
Lenzerheide webcam – Bergfex cameras.

Snow also fell down at 500 meters in some places, such as Zurich airport. But snow needs to fall at over 700 meters above sea level to stay. Southern Valais got 20-30 cm of powder snow and the Jura also got some snow, as you can see with these cows trying to find grass to eat.

Cows trying to find the grass under the snow at the Vallée de Joux in Jura- Photo Keystone -Jean-Christophe Bott- Swiss.ch.
Cows trying to find the grass under the snow at the Vallée de Joux in Jura- Photo Keystone -Jean-Christophe Bott- Swiss.ch.

WeathertoSki reported that there was lots of precipitation this weekend across the Alps, mixed with rain and snow from 600 meters up. Mostly the snow sat from 1000m to 1500 across the north-western half of the Alps, and between 1500 and 2500 across the south-eastern half. 

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Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience.

Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. - Photo: Grandvalira.

The Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience.

 An exciting new period for the ski sector and the Principality of Andorra has opened up with the biggest resort in southern Europe combining with the field of snow in Ordino to offer a pioneering ski experience with a total of 240 skiable kilometres

Nevasa will continue with brand marketing and communication, integrating the Arcalís products into their work. 

Grandvalira after a snowstorm. The continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. - Photo: Grandvalira.
Grandvalira after a snowstorm. The continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. – Photo: Grandvalira.

Yesterday good news came through for Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís with the continuation of the agreement between the two companies that compose Grandvalira – SAETDE and ENSISA. The two have announced in 2017 that they were going to split, giving uncertainty to the Grandvalira umbrella brand, where one lift was used for the areas of Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Emcamp. It was more a pity, as Grandvalira is a very successful brand that have increased the quantity of skiers days a lot in the last years. And I know the team behind Grandvalira, and they work their socks off! So I am glad, that thankfully, the two sides could come to an agreement, and what is also super exciting is that Ordino Arcalis have come along to their ski offer. Many locals that leave in Andorra la Vella or in the bases of Grandvalira, go on the weekend to ski Ordino as its freeskiing terrain is incredible. That is why Ordino Arcalis is a proud host of the Freeride World Tour.

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Zermatt Must-READ Guide

Zermatt Village - Photo copyright: Leander Wenger - Zermatt Tourist Board. Zermatt is a high-altitude resort that will not suffer much in the future with less snow thanks to its altitude. What does Climate Change will mean to a Mountain Nation such as Switzerland by 2060.

Zermatt Must-READ Guide

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Zermatt’s History:

Zermatt is all what you have thought of and more….it is a chocolate-box village – quintessentially Swiss, that have been hosting guests for many years – mainly those trying to reach the peak of the Matterhorn. The area had human traces from 8,000 to the 1,800 BC with the “Schwarze Tschugge” shelter at Schwarzsee, a cup-marked stone at Ofenen, above Zmutt and a stone axe blade from the Theodul Pass. The Theodul Pass was used as a crossover and trade route for the Romans for finding coins and the Romanised Celts.

Zermatterhof in Dorfstrasse - Old Zermatt.
Zermatterhof in Dorfstrasse – Old Zermatt.

On the 8th century the Alemannic took possession of Upper Valais and German replaced Latin. But speed the time forward to 13th August 1792 when Genevese scholar Horace Bénédict de Saussure climbed the Klein Matterhorn. From the Theodul glacier, he determined the height of the Matterhorn to be 4,501.7 m (today 4,477.5 m) using a 50-foot-long chain spread out on the glacier and a sextant.

In 1813 the Breithorn is the first four-thousand-metre peak to be climbed.

In 1839 Zermatt surgeon Lauber opens the first inn (hotel Cervie) with three beds. Today is Hotel Monte Rosa.

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What’s new in Chamonix for the 2018/19-ski season.

Le Brevent in Chamonix - ski with the views to the Mont Blanc. OT Vallée de Chamonix - Photo by Salome Abrial. What's new in Chamonix for the 2018-19-ski season.

What’s new in Chamonix for the 2018/19-ski season.

Chamonix is the capital of skiing, and it does not cater only to the daredevil, extreme skier, but also to families and beginners. Its different areas have something for everyone. Chamonix is a long valley within tall mountains, with a series of ski resorts on both sides of this valley.

Ready for the adventure - Vallée Blanche, Chamonix- what is new for Chamonix's 2018/19-ski season - Never ski the Vallée Blanche without a ski guide. Photo: Salome Abrial. OT Chamonix.
Ready for the adventure – Vallée Blanche, Chamonix- what is new for Chamonix’s ski season 2018-19 – Never ski the Vallée Blanche without a ski guide. Photo: Salome Abrial. OT Chamonix.

With 13,000 inhabitants Chamonix is a lively town that caters to tourists in all seasons. 400 shops opened all days, all year round and 130 restaurants can entertain the most discerning client, and those who don’t want to spend their bonuses. There are plenty of options for everyone.

Located in the border of France with Italy and just very near Switzerland, one can stay in Chamonix and ski the three countries with the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. If you want to only ski in the Chamonix Valley Ski Areas, then purchase the Chamonix Le Pass.

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CheckYeti enters a strategic partnership with Skiset.

CheckYeti enters a strategic partnership with Skiset. Photo CheckYeti.

Austrian start-up company CheckYeti enters a strategic partnership with Europe’s biggest ski and snowboard rental provider Skiset

The successful start-up company for winter sports, CheckYeti (www.checkyeti.com), with 1.5 million users and counting, has entered a strategic partnership with Skiset, Europe’s biggest ski and snowboard rental provider. With over 6000 offers in over 500 ski resorts, CheckYeti is the leading booking platform for winter-sports activities. Each year, the French company Skiset offers high-quality equipment to over 2 million clients in over 800 rental shops all over 400 different locations in Europe and North America. Together, CheckYeti and Skiset cover 80% of the Alps and thus allow all winter-sports enthusiasts to easily choose their skiing holidays online and to book completely stress-free. 

Ski, skiers, sun and winter fun - skiers enjoying ski vacation. Photo CheckYeti/Skiset. CheckYeti enters a strategic partnership with Skiset.
Ski, skiers, sun and winter fun – skiers enjoying ski vacation. Photo CheckYeti/Skiset. CheckYeti enters a strategic partnership with Skiset.

Thanks to winter-sports innovators CheckYeti and Skiset, booking a skiing holiday has never been easier. Their common goal is to help clients leave for the winter holidays completely stress-free through easier online-booking options. Courses, instructors, winter-sports activities and even the necessary equipment – all can be booked prior to the arrival at the ski resort. Consequently, queuing at the local ski rental shop as well as looking for the right ski school are now a thing of the past. Vacationists now can easily book their skiing holidays from home and thus make their first turns on the slopes already shortly after their arrival at the ski resort.

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What’s new for the 2018/19-ski season at Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn – the home of Lässig.

Alpine skiing at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The skiers will not be affected because of the World Cup. Ski World Cup: Saalbach is in the Starting Gates

Read on to see what is new for the 2018/19 ski season at Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn- the home of Lässig. 

The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is one of the largest ski areas in Austria with 270 km of pistes, of which 140 km are blue runs for beginners, 112 km red runs for intermediates and 18 km of black runs for more advanced. This added to 70 lifts and more than 60 cosy mountain huts, various Snowparks, flood-lit pistes, toboggan runs and a Freeride Park.

Familiy at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn-
Familiy at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn-

New in winter 2018/19

Every summer the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn undertakes investments to make the ski area more efficient.

This summer 2018 these projects were undertaken:

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Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

Matterhorn by Chris Holgersson. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

On 11 September of 2018, a rescuer from Zermatt discovered bones of a human body and mountain gear at the foot of the Matterhorn. These are related to an accident in 2014.

Matterhorn Frisch Verschneit. Matterhorn in winter. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.
Matterhorn Frisch Verschneit. Matterhorn in winter. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

On July 23rd, 2014, a 40-year-old Japanese mountaineer climbed the Matterhorn alone. He never returned and he was considered missing.

Time passed, and on September 11, 2018, a rescuer from Zermatt found the human bones and mountain gear at the foot of the wall on the eastern side of the Matterhorn – this was due to melting snow which allowed the bones and equipment to resurface.

Continue reading “Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.”

3 Zinnen Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season

Drei Zinnen seen from the Drei Zinnen ski area - photo PXHere.com. Drei Zinnen will continue with its plan to install the Helmjet Sexten 10-seater cable car.

3 Zinnen Dolomites (3 Peaks Dolomites) will link their resort to Austria, making it a ski carousel of 2 provinces (Sudtirol, Belluno) and 2 countries (Italy and Ausria) when it builds a lift to link its area to the Thurnthaler ski area in Östirol for 21/22-ski season.

Thurnthaler has now 40 km of slopes and with the connection; the new combined ski area will have about 160 km of slopes, becoming the largest ski resort in the Dolomiti Superski carousel.

Drei Zinnen ski area - Copyright: 3 Peaks Dolomites. 3 Peaks Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season .
Drei Zinnen ski area – Copyright: 3 Peaks Dolomites. 3 Peaks Dolomites will link its resort to Östirol in Austria for the 21/22 ski season .

Since last year, the ski area was re-named 3 Peaks. Before it was known as Alta Pusteria Valley/Hochpustertal. This new name plays tribute to the region’s outstanding attractions: the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Dolomites and the Drei Zinnen.  The new denomination also includes the skiing area with its 110 kilometres of ski runs, with guaranteed snow and a panorama of peaks that will take your breath away.

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