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EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing

Chemmy Alcott is charging down the mountain on skis. Chemmy is an ambassador of EcoSki. EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing. Photo: EcoSki.

EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing

EcoSki is a new concept that will help people to change the way to think about their ski clothing. Their aim is to stop unnecessary purchases and waste. There is a most cost-effective way of dealing with this.

They aim to do so with four different avenues. EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing. 

 

1. Repair– what you already own, they will do this on your behalf. Check Repairs (ecoski.co.uk)
2. Rent – this will be a new project that will go live any time. It will feature a full range of high performance items. Brands such as Patagonia, Ortovox, Mammut, Picture and Amundsen. Items will range from socks and water bottles to ski jackets, pants and mid-layers. Not to forget also about avalanche safety equipment. EcoSki will sterilise between uses (O Zone Treatment). This will work in conjunction with My Wardrobe HQ.
3. Buy New but Buy Better. Do so from responsible brands. These are working to reduce their social and environmental impact. You will have the option to trade in when you no longer need them. They will then sold again preloved.
4. Buy Preloved. EcoSki will repair and list any items you don’t need anymore. They will then go again and list it on their preloved page (Ecoski’d ). At this moment you can find the preloved stock on Instagram. They soon will have their own website. EcoSki works also with Bluebird Exchange and will start working with WhoSki.com . Both companies specialised in Preloved outdoor wear.
EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing
EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing

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Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit

Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit. Ozzy on the Dora Baltea taking a dip next to some rafters.

Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit

 
How is it now travelling into Europe with your pet in a post-Brexit scenario? Before the end of last year, we were expecting it to be worst than it will finally be. It is still a bit more difficult than before, as you need to do an extra step. But don’t despair! Keep on reading on!
 
Nothing better than your dog enjoying a snowy landscape. Travelling into Europe with your pet post-BrexitPhoto by Yuki Dog, Unsplash.
Nothing better than your dog enjoying a snowy landscape. Travelling into Europe with your pet post-BrexitPhoto by Yuki Dog, Unsplash.

First things first- Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit

 
You can no longer use your pet passport issued in Great Britain (be it England, Wales or Scotland) to get into the EU or NI. You will need a new document, called the Animal Health Certificate. That will be for each trip.
 
 

What do you need now to take your pet into Europe.

 
So now you need to think on the following
 
1) Get your dog microchipped, if he or she is not, as a first thing.
2) get your vet to apply a rabies vaccine, if your dog does not have one. Have your microchipped first, so then they can record the vaccine to the microchip!
3) Get an animal health certificate (AHC) from your vet up to ten days before your trip. This is a requirement for each trip you do. If your pet passport was issued in any country of the EU or Northern Ireland, then you can use that one instead. An official vet (OV) can issue this type of certificate, so check with yours, to see if he or she can do so. If not ask who could do it for you.
Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit. Photo: Lauren Guardala. Unsplash.
Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit. Photo: Lauren Guardala. Unsplash.Travelling into Europe with your pet post-Brexit. Photo: Lauren Guardala. Unsplash.
Remember to do this up to ten days before your trip, so count at the time you are leaving and go backwards. When visiting your vet, you will need to take proof of your pet’s microchipping date and vaccination history.
 
This AHC will be valid after the date of issue for
 
a) up to ten days for entry in the EU or Northern Ireland
b) 4 months for onward travel within the EU
c) 4 months to re-entry in Great Britain.
 
So, as stated before, your pet will need a new ATC for each trip into the EU or Northern Ireland.
 

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Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

View from La Clusaz, comune di La Salle, Aosta Valley. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

After a non-season, which was different depending the country, I am looking forward. I want to focus more on the future than the past, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains. But will write a short summary of what happened before moving to the summer.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. 

This past ski- season. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

The case of  North -America. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

It was the weirdest season- or non-season of my entire life. And I am 51 now. America had a season, albeit limitations. Canada too, even they had more limitations than America. It was a mixed patch. From Covid tests for those arriving into Vermont or Aspen, to a reservation system in most of the resorts. It must have been so difficult for resorts to organise it all. And for lodging, you sell the lodging. And you have to have an agreement with the lift company to be sure these people will be able to ski!
The Covid Ski Season. Photo by Florian Glawogger. Unsplash. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
The Covid Ski Season. Photo by Florian Glawogger. Unsplash. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

And what happened with Canada. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.

 
The Canadian provinces had lots of limitations so it was difficult travelling around. Whistler had to close earlier as a big cluster of Covid developed in the population.
 
You could eat inside and then not anymore. Owners and workers of restaurants kept on having disputes with the local authorities. But overall, the North Americans had a ski season.

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Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Mountain from the town of Aspen. Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) today released a report that tells the story of how ASC and its partners – Oxbow’s Elk Creek Mine, Holy Cross Energy, and Vessels Carbon Solutions – turned a coal mine in Somerset, Colorado into a clean-energy production facility. It also documents how much electricity has been generated since the project began, how much harmful methane has been destroyed, and how much revenue the project generates annually.

Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant. Photo Aspen Snowmass.
Aspen Snowmass Releases First-Ever Progress Report on Methane-to-Electricity Plant. Photo Aspen Snowmass.

“We recognize global warming as an existential threat to our business,” said Matt Jones, ASC’s Chief Financial Officer, who worked with representatives of Oxbow to make this project happen. “We can’t stand by and wait for others to solve this crisis. We’re trying to do what we can to make a difference.”

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30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March

Dan and John Egan vintage photo in bright onesies, which were the rage at the time! 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March.

30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March

I am lucky to be pre-reading the 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book of my friend and ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur. It tells the story of Dan and his worldwide adventures and how the Extreme Skiing evolved in its heyday. It will be available in the United Kingdom from March and you can preorder now). Obviously it will be available in the US and in Continental Europe as well! So go ahead and check on Amazon.com now. 
Dan Egan with his Skis on a day in the job. 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March.
Dan Egan with his Skis on a day in the job. 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March.
Thirty Years in a White Haze chronicles the adventures, successes and losses of Dan. It also documents the evolution of Extreme Skiing and the growth of the outdoor media industry.
The book unravels history as Egan ties together his own family’s story, the ever-present mortality of his namesake. Also his grandfather’s involvement in desegregating Boston’s (his home town) school. And the rise of extreme skiing and technology into the new millennium. An ode to a life filled with curiosity, growth, freedom and its costs. Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur’s new book promises a heavy dose of humour, suspense, thrill, and documentary, as thirty years of haze dissipates to clarity.

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The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

Lots of snow is great, but it can bring its trouble. Photo at Pautex, in the comune of Morgex in the Aosta Valley. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. The "White Season" in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

Looks like it will be a “White Season” in Europe. This while at the same time, there are massive snowstorms in the Continent.
I have been a bit quiet lately about writing in this blog. It happened the same when Covid became a thing last year. There was too much going on, that I did not know where to start.
 
The "White Season" in Europe and the Big Snowstorms.Photo by Unsplash.
The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms.Photo by Unsplash.

The “White Season”- The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

 
There are many websites that track all the news on the ski resorts. So I’ve thought that if people need information, they can go to them. I have been only reading the news on the main papers and specialised media and it is not looking good.
 
Of all the skiing Western European Nations, only Switzerland still accepts tourists. But starting this weekend, restrictions will start for more countries who will need to quarantine 10 days on arrival. So, skiing will be for locals.
 
This already happen in Austrian resorts. Locals can go skiing, but no tourists. Spain has resorts opened. But the movement limitations in provinces make it difficult for the resorts to make money on it. So some opened with less terrain. And they don’t know how they will keep operating, when more strict measures come in.
 

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Our Winter Getaway to the Mountains – no skiing included

Walking with the dog in Pautex, Valdigne, Valle d'Aosta. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included.

Our Winter Getaway to the Mountains – no skiing included

How we managed to get our winter getaway to the mountains. I knew from the start, that due to the DCPM in Italy, there was no skiing included in this trip for sure.
 
As I also knew that the UK was going to become a third country to the EU, I really wanted to go back to Morgex. The EU allows its country-members to travel with no restrictions within the bloc. Thanks to Brexit, now we are out of the bloc, so we have the travel restrictions. The UK is now like the US. US could not go from March onwards into Europe, and they still cannot travel.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

The first day on the road towards Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included.
The first day on the road towards Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included.
I have been looking at all the rules in the UK, France and Italy. It started getting very technical. This showed that how determined I was. So when we were about to go, France was not asking any Covid test. Italy changed its recommendation to make the test BEFORE arriving into Italy. And this test needed be 48 hours before. That makes things tricky. I’ve found a great company (Randox), that mailed the tests to your home. It is an extra expenditure you are not counting in your normal travel. I’ve thought, as there was not going to be skiing, I used my lift tickets money on that. Also, it was good I’ve bought the tests in advance, as the mail started to be a bit slow before Christmas.

Taking the Covid tests. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

I had my two boys at home as their schools closed with Covid cases, so it was easy to do at midday our tests on the Friday. We then drove to drop the tests to DX. DX is one of the two couriers that work with Randox and allow you to deliver these kind of tests. Not all couriers would deliver them.
Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included
Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

The travel out of London. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

We set up the alarm clock at 2.30 AM on the Saturday. It was me the one getting up, preparing the thermos, the sandwiches and our car fridge. This car fridge is the best thing we’ve bought on Amazon for our trip. It saves us from stopping at any shop to eat. Now in the pandemic, we want to travel safe. I also have my TravelJanes for using if needed. But the classic opening of two doors and weeing squatting works fine! Having been born and bred in Argentina, I am used to long trips with no petrol stations on the way. How many times we’ve heard a lorry honking at us, but they cannot see your face!
We went on the M20. The queue of lorries stuck in line was impressive. I’ve felt very bad for them, it seemed it was going to be very slow for them. For us it was fine, we had a delay of one hour, but we’ve stayed in the car. Finally we got across and we’ve started driving off Calais towards the south.
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Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

ADELBODEN - Copyright by Adelboden Tourismus By-line: swiss-image.ch/Anja Zurbruegg. Swiss urged to 'hit the slopes' to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

The Swiss should ‘hit the slopes’ to save this coming ski season. What is the situation of skiing in December in the rest of Europe?

It is near December and the major Alpine countries have their lifts closed. What is the situation for skiing in December in Europe? France, Italy and Austria had to close their lifts, after some resorts opened for a short while. This was due to a second wave of the Covid pandemic.
French and Italian ski resorts will now close until January. Same with Germany. Austria is saying they will open their resorts by 18th December, defying the rest of the EU. Spain has sent hints of opening by December 18th, while Andorra is seeing what they will do. The Swiss are urged to “hit the slopes” to save the ski season. 
Crans-Montana in winter. Photo: CMTC Luciano Miglionico. Swiss urged to 'hit the slopes' to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.
Crans-Montana in winter. Photo: CMTC Luciano Miglionico. Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

The situation in Switzerland. Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

In the meantime, Switzerland is open. Pretty everyone can now go to Switzerland without needing to quarantine at arrival.
Although, check before travelling, as there are some exceptions to this rule!
So while other Alpine nations are seeing their resorts closed, the Swiss have been skiing for weeks!
Wearing face masks now is mandatory everywhere except while on the slopes. Cable car windows stay open during all the rides up the mountain. You need to use your face mask also on the open chairlifts. Police patrol check out the departure areas to be sure skiers and boarders comply.
Swiss are expecting their own people will flock to the mountains for the open air. They know that the Americans and Asians will not come this season. So with some local guests and perhaps later some regional visitors, they can save the season.
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Will we ski this December?

Lech Zürs Tourism - Arlberg. Photo by Sepp Mallaun. Will we ski this December?

Will we ski this December?

It is almost mid-November and we are stuck in the lockdown 2.0. Many of us are thinking if we will ski this December. What is going to happen? Who knows? The reality is that we are all locked in- to be honest, this is not too much of a lockdown, so for me, at least, is not so bad. I do feel bad for those with shops, gyms, pools that have to close down. And for the restaurants, bars and cafes that can only sell take away.
I myself have not been going to much to any bar or restaurant inside since March. I did go twice in the summer in Morgex, to my beloved La Locanda. But we’ve eaten outside once, and once inside because the weather was foul. But there was no virus going around Valle d’Aosta at that time and it felt safe. And this lockdown gave me time to fall in love with cooking all over again. And planting, and drawing more. But I do go and get coffees from my local shops and sausages for my dog Ozzy!
My boys skiing late in the afternoon in La Thuile. Will we ski this December?
My boys skiing late in the afternoon in La Thuile. Will we ski this December?

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Now, as kids go to school, and work is picking up (slowly), I cook what I need only. So this is lockdown without the plus of waking up whenever your body tells you to do so! It is ok, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I am only very sorry of the quantity of people missing dear ones to this pandemic. We become untouched with the reality hearing like about 400 people died today of Covid. It is awful if you think about it. I guess is that your brain tries to protect you of the terrible news to keep going on.

Dreaming of skiing and white Christmas. Will we ski this December?

Right now, I am thinking a lot about our trip in December to the mountains. We have already given up to our October half term drive to Morgex due to many factors. From the testing in the UK (that was aprox £600 more), and then the coming and quarantining for two weeks. I would have done it, but the boys would not be able to go to school and who knows how the schools react…. (being Argentine I don’t see it how people in the UK sees it…for me there is no better experience than travelling). So we’ve missed the autumn colours in the Aosta Valley. At least I could see them online thanks to the many accounts I follow on social media. Next year, is what I have to remind myself, I will be there.
Our skis going up the cablecar Chécrouit. Will we ski this December?
Our skis going up the cablecar Chécrouit. Will we ski this December?
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Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

The Gran Risa piste gets ready for the Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia- Freddy Planinsche- Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

Alta Badia to host the giant slalom and slalom of the Ski World Cup. It is the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 
This Sunday 20th December on the Gran Risa slope, there will be the traditional men’s giant slalom. This is part of the Alpine Ski Club. Also, on Monday 21st December, the FIS has assigned a slalom to Alta Badia.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 
This year the fans can support their favourites racers on the TV, and not in person. This is to guarantee safety for the athletes, their teams and media representatives.
 

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

The first run of the Giant Slalom will start at 10AM on Sunday 20th December. The second run will do so at 1.30 PM.
 
On Monday 21st December, the slalom racers will start at 10 AM and the second run will do so at 1PM. All the races will broadcast in world vision.
Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia. Alex Moling. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia. Alex Moling. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 

The 2020 Trophies: A Celebration of Sport and Life. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

 
The trophies given to the top three racers are done by Danielle Basso. She has done the gigantic sculpture at the start of the Gran Risa slope to celebrate 30 years of the event. The trophies “are metaphors – explained Basso – of a history of passion, sport and beauty that is renewed every year in this magical event in the heart of the Dolomites”.

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