Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America.

Snow is what makes or breaks a ski resort. Before we used to ‘chance’ it and knew that usually you get snow starting at so many meters for sure, and if you have snow below this line, that was great. Over the years, what Brits would call a ‘snow sure’ resort due to altitude, maybe did not have snow at all. I am getting now 50 years old, and I do remember that in 7 years span, maybe you get one or two that you ask yourself –‘what happened with winter??’

Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.
Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

I used to stage some events in South America, more specifically in Las Leñas, and the lack of snow made me cancel these events twice. I am talking of the South American Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. The last time was terrible because we had so much media onboard and so much buzz was building around the events, that when there was no snow and I had to cancel everything, the media people working with me told me I have sold them a bubble of air! It was not intended, obviously. We also got two Seat cars as prize for the competitors- anyways, that was the last event I’ve tried to stage!

Last year Las Leñas and Portillo had to close on early September due to a bad snow season. I have written already how Portillo has now invested in snow-making by TechnoAlpin. Cerro Bayo, another boutique resort more south in the Argentine Patagonia’s Lake Region, has also invested with TechnoAlpin.

The other big company we know about is Demaclenko, also located in the Sudtirol province of Italy. You know that the area of the Sella Ronda has very good snowmaking, having these two companies on site.

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St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.

Photo: Bobsleigh World Cup in St Moritz.2015. St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.

St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.

St Moritz, the renown Swiss resort, has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships. Sochi, Whistler and Winterberg have applied to be the host of the 2024 edition of the event.

During the IBSF Congress in Prague, the Olympia Bob Run St Moritz-Celerina track was confirmed as the location for the 2023 World Championships.

It is the 24th time that St Moritz has being host on its entirety or part of the IBSF’s flagship event outside of the Olympic Games.

St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.
St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.

St Moritz has also been given the hosting rights for the IBSF Junior World Championships in 2021 at the Congress in Prague.

Heike Größwang, IBSF secretary general has told delegates at the meeting that Sochi (Russia), Whistler (Canada) and Winterberg (Germany) have submitted bids for the 2024 World Championships.

The Sanki Sliding Centre in Sochi was the stage of both bobsleigh and skeleton events at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games but was not included on the list of IBSF World Cup venues for the 2019-20 ski season.

Continue reading “St Moritz has been awarded the 2023 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships.”

Indoor ski-slope finally opening within American Dream Mall in October

American Dream Exrterior. Rendering Courtesy American Dream Mall. Indoor ski-slope finally opening within American Dream Mall in October

Indoor ski-slope finally opening within American Dream Mall in October

From Commercial Observer and Daily Voice

The 3.1 million-square-foot American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ, will finally open on 25 October, after being built for 16 years (on and off). This was announced by developer Triple Five.

Chalet on the American Dream Mall ski slope. Rendering by American Dream Mall. Indoor ski-slope finally opening within American Dream Mall in October.
Chalet on the American Dream Mall ski slope. Rendering by American Dream Mall. Indoor ski-slope finally opening within American Dream Mall in October.

This project used to be called Xanadu, and had lots of missed openings, three developers, five governors and a major retail contraction, earning lots of sceptics across the state.

This facility will feature an 180,000-square-foot, 800-foot ski slope (of 16 stories high) and an ice-climbing wall. It will also have a ski school area, a chairlift, terrain park, chalet and restaurants.

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Snow Cracks in the Central Zone of Chile: “This is a situation that should not be overlooked”

Snow cracks. Photo: Anders Jilden. Unsplash. Snow Cracks in the Central Zone of Chile: "This is a situation that should not be overlooked."

Snow Cracks in the Central Zone of Chile: “This is a situation that should not be overlooked”

From Avalancha Sport

One of the postcards that alarmed all lovers of the mountain were the cracks that appeared in some sectors of the central zone of Chile where users in social networks recorded this event that can cause an avalanche.

Snow Cracks in the Central Zone of Chile: "This is a situation that should not be overlooked". Photo: Avalancha Sport.
Snow Cracks in the Central Zone of Chile: “This is a situation that should not be overlooked”. Photo: Avalancha Sport.

In this context and after this situation, Avalancha Sport spoke with Diego Pizarro, Mountain Risks Specialist and Instructor of snow and avalanches of the National Association of French Snow Studies (ANENA), who said that this phenomenon is not unusual at the beginnings of the season.

“My impression is very likely that this happened because there was an intense rainfall with little wind and very low temperatures during that period,” he began.

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A Dolomites train project could be ready for the 2026 Olympics

A Dolomites train project could be ready for the 2026 Olympics. This train is one working at Sudtirol. IDM Sudtirol. Photo: Hans-Peter Leu. A unique experience is provided by the new railway line from Merano/Meran to Malles/Mals: the train brings you to Malles, where you can rent a bike and return slightly downhill alongside the orchards and ancient sites of the old Roman trade route Via Claudia Augusta.

A Dolomites train project could be ready for the 2026 Olympics

The project that will link the provinces of Trentino, Alto Adige (Sudtirol) and Veneto has a high degree of feasibility according to former councillor Mauro Gilmozzi. The cost is of one billion two hundred million Euros to be absorbed by the State and the provinces.

The Dolomites train could become a reality by 2026, in time for the Winter Olympics. Connecting Trento to Bassano, then to Feltre, Belluno, Calalzo, Cortina, Dobbiaco, Bressanone, Bolzano and returning to Trento.

An Italian traain in Verona Porta Nova Train Station. A Dolomites train project could be ready for the 2026 Olympics.
An Italian traain in Verona Porta Nova Train Station. A Dolomites train project could be ready for the 2026 Olympics.

A challenge that has a very specific name: Ring Dolomiti. The feasibility is “high” according to Mauro Gilmozzi, former councillor for infrastructures and the environment of the junta Dellai. “We keep in mind that for the most part this ring is already there.”

Total cost: from one billion two hundred million upwards. What seems an onerous amount, “… would be a cost to be divided between various agencies, the Provinces, the State.”

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The Mille Miglia is coming to the Alps- Coppa delle Alpi

The Mille Miglia is coming to the Alps- Coppa delle Alpi. Photo: Coppa delle Alpi.

The Mille Miglia is coming to the Alps- Coppa delle Alpi.

The organisers of the Mille Miglia in Italy have announced that the Coppa delle Alpi will take place across 15 of the most spectacular Alpine passes in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany in early December.

The Mille Miglia is coming to the Alps- Coppa delle Alpi.
The Mille Miglia is coming to the Alps- Coppa delle Alpi.

The 2019 edition of the Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia, the first winter regularity race for vintage cars organised by 1000 Miglia S.r.l., will take place from 4th to 7th December.

The competition, officially included in the Italian Great Events Championship, will consist of four legs through some of the most evocative mountain locations in Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

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Was the past one a great ski season? Enjoy it for now!

Norbert, Nico and Eva playing at Squaw Valley. Alterra Resorts. Was the past one a great ski season? Enjoy it for now!

Was the past one a great ski season? Enjoy it for now!

From Bloomberg Business

This past winter’s weird weather patterns delivered record snowfalls. There are now five North American ski resorts still open and even Mammoth is planning to use its chairlifts in August.

Peak 6 in Breckenridge, CO. Photo Andrew Maguire. Vail Resorts. Was the past one a great ski season? Enjoy it for now!
Peak 6 in Breckenridge, CO. Photo Andrew Maguire. Vail Resorts. Was the past one a great ski season? Enjoy it for now!

The ski industry – a business of $8.4 million in North America has gone from being really bad, to have a good year even when there is a fallout of climate change.

It was a record year for skier days in the US – as the National Ski Areas Association published there was an 11% increase in skier days from the prior year reaching 59 million skier days in the US.

Both Alterra and Vail Resorts have taken advantage of this. From November through April, Vail received 13.7 million skier days – a 20% year on year. Total revenue increased 14.5 percent to $1.8 billion.

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A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City

A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City. Photo: Valle Nevado on a beautiful night.

A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City

HURRAY!!!!! Finally the wait for winter has finished. Valle Nevado is OPEN!

Report by Chino Martinez – Professional Skier

Saturday 29th June, 2019

After weeks of waiting for our best part of the year  – YES! ‘WINTER” has arrived!

As a ski fanatic living during the winter in Santiago City, what I do all day is look up at the mountains and check how much snow accumulation there is on top!

From Santiago you can see the top of all the ski areas, and at this time of the season, we all get nervous about when we are going to start skiing and where, first!.

From the city to the ski areas you can drive up early morning in one hour or less, if you do so before hitting traffic jams. You will need a 4WD car with winter tyres and/or chains onboard.

I received a phone call from Pablo on Friday evening telling me to get ready as we were going to go up the next morning and were all set, 4WD truck, chains, cameras, drone, filmaker- we were ready to go!

6:45 am on the Saturday and we were ready to go.

Ready to depart from Santiago - a ski adventure awaits! Photo: Chino Martinez. A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City.
Ready to depart from Santiago – a ski adventure awaits! Photo: Chino Martinez. A Day Trip to Valle Nevado from Santiago City.

We’ve started our trip to Valle Nevado with Pablo, the driver, Xavier, the film-maker, Roberta the TV show presenter and myself – the skier.

The road up was not in good shape as we had a storm the night before during all night and lots of rain came down the city. It was at 1.500 m of altitude that we started to see some snow.

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This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season

Catedral Alta Patagonia, Bariloche - Trail Map. This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season.

This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season. The mountain resort has its name for having a shape similar to a cathedral.

The resort, located on the lake region of Patagonia, just outside the town of San Carlos de Bariloche, opened its ski season full of snow, looking marvellous.

There are 60 cm at the top of the mountain and 30 cm at the base area.

Skiers and riders can find open the Sextuple chairlift, Punta Nevada and Lynch. Also are open, the Magic Carpet 3 and 4 of the Play Park for beginners.

During the week the rest of the lifts will be opening gradually. For the people just going up the mountain the Cable Carril, the Lynch chairlift and cablecar Amancay will be operating.

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What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Works are undergoing at Val Thorens this summer for the next winter season 2019-20. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Following the closure at the end of January of the cable car Cime Caron, the replacement of the load carrier cables has started in May. This gigantic project will cost €6 million and will be finished in November, right on time for the start of the winter season 2019/2020.

Lac 2 - lake reservoir for snow making at Val Thorens. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.
Lac 2 – lake reservoir for snow making at Val Thorens. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Furthermore, two Gazex will be installed under the line of the cable car in order to secure even more the area and allow a faster opening to customers in the mornings.

The water reservoir Lac 2, used for snow making, will be expanded with a capacity going from 88 000m3 to 306 000m3.

Snow guns are added at the top of the blue piste Plateaux in order to improve customer satisfaction on this highly frequented area between the snowpark and the Family Park. In addition, it will facilitate the access to Funitel Grand Fond at the beginning of the season.

Col, the last fixed-grip chairlift of Val Thorens, will have its 25 years “Grande Inspection”. The top of the lift offers stunning views over Glacier de Chavière and Parc de la Vanoise.

Val Thorens- Lorries are carrying the loading cables. Photo: Val Thorens TO. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.
Val Thorens- Lorries are carrying the loading cables. Photo: Val Thorens TO. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Funitel Peclet, situated at the spine of the ski area, will undergo a major check-up, starting this summer with a three-year implementation timeframe.

The descent speed of Cairn and Caron gondolas will be increased. For our non-skiing customers, those two lifts link the summit of Cime Caron from the resort centre.

Continue reading “What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.”