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How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.

Off-piste skiing. Photo Caron Lou T. Loubere. OT Val Thorens. How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.

How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.

Here is how Val Thorens is getting ready now for the 2020-21 ski season. Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, starting at 2300 m and with pistes up to 3200 m. The resort is part of Les 3 Vallées, the biggest ski carousel in the world. Within the whole 3 Vallées, the lower slopes are around 600 m (at Brides les Bains).

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90% of the resort is above tree-line. It is what here Britons call “snow-sure” resorts. I never understood that claim being Argentine born. Las Leñas has a base of 2230 and the top at 3400+ and I remember some seasons with no snow at all! But well, obviously there is more chance to have better snow the higher you go!
Lift in Val Thorens. Photo. C.Doucret. OT Val Thorens. How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.
Lift in Val Thorens. Photo. C.Doucret. OT Val Thorens. How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.
But coming back to Val Thorens, the resort has the longest ski season in Europe. It starts on December 1st and goes all the way to May 9th. A whole 170 days of ski season. It was going to open on November 21st, but with the new decree in France locking the country for one month, it changed. Let’s hope that resorts can open in December!
If you go to Val Thorens, all the lodging is slope-side- you don’t need to move to go to the lifts. The trails run between the buildings. The resort is not the prettiest, but they have been renovating façades using wood and now is looking much better. Now it looks more village-like.

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Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses

I have tried the Panda Optics while my long walk to Greenwich today. Here while having a pause and a lovely salad. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.

Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses

When we came back from the Aosta Valley, there was a box waiting for me at home. I had no idea what it was, as I was not expecting anything. To my surprise, I saw it was the new Panda Optics lenses. Their name is Conquer and I got the pink frame lenses so I could write a review.

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

Ozzy looking a dude with the new Panda Optics Conquer Lenses. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses,
Ozzy looking a dude with the new Panda Optics Conquer Lenses. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses,
My ski goggles are Panda Optics as well, and I do love the system of magnetic lens change. As far as I know, this is the first time that Panda Optics went on to do some sport lenses for outdoor sports.
I was expecting to try them out during the half term in the Italian Alps. But thanks to Italy not being anymore in a UK travel corridor, I had to cancel the trip. It was that, plus the need to get a swab test before arriving in Italy, which costs a bomb in the UK, that put me off. I hope we can visit in December though!
As I was not going to the Alps now, I’ve decided to try them out in London, going out in my long Nordic Walk. First impressions is that it looks like the old wrap-around lenses of the 90’s. Something like the Oakley Mosquitoes. Not sure if that was their name. Looking online now, I see ones called Oakley Radars. The Panda Optics have a smoother border if you compare them to the former. What I do like is that they fit well to my face. They are proper wraparound. This is great if you are biking or skiing, as it protects you from the wind or elements getting in your eyes.

Specifications of the Panda Optics Conquer. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses

 

The lenses come in a hard box that is great for storage, and they bring three colour lenses:
*the mirrored which are great for sunny weather, with a VLT of 9.73%. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission.
*the amber lens. This is good for party cloudy to cloudy weather. The VLT is of 27.18% and it has a tint orange. I would use this one for flat light when skiing.
*the clear lens: This has a VLT of 89.87% and no tint nor coating. This is for rainy weather or night time.
Using my Panda Optics lenses today while on my nordic walk. My husband says that I was looking as if I was going out to climb the Eiger! Not quite the same walking to Greenwich... Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.
Using my Panda Optics lenses today while on my nordic walk. My husband says that I was looking as if I was going out to climb the Eiger! Not quite the same walking to Greenwich… Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.

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Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

A cablecar in Stubai is cleaned by the Demaclenko disinfectant fan machine. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

Demaclenko is coming with a breakthrough idea and launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

 
When I wrote the post on how the resorts were going to clean their gondolas, I thought it was going to be difficult. I was imagining some lift operators rushing with a cleaning product and rag. They would have like 10 seconds to clean all well. This was the time between skiers and boarders gets off the gondola. And then the new ones load on when they are trying to descend. It seemed bonkers!
Demaclenko's disinfection machine in action. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.
Demaclenko’s disinfection machine in action. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.
 
But then, always a clever person or company comes around with a great idea! Demaclenko, the snow-making giant from Vipiteno (South Tyrol, Italy) had this great idea. Transforming their snow-fan machines into disinfection ones.
 
Closed gondola lifts are critical points where is difficult to follow hygiene regulations. Demaclenko has built an automatic and comprehensive solution. It allows a complete and efficient disinfection of every model of cablecar. Thus, it is very flexible.

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How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

Skiers walking with the Monte Cervino in the backdrop. Photo Enrico Romanzi - Breuil Cervinia. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The case of Pontedilegno-Tonale, the Piemontese resorts of Vialattea and Cervinia

 

Information taken from the post of Max Cassani of La Stampa on 02 October 2020.

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The case of Pontedilegno-Tonale. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The resort offered a daily online card that if paid before 2nd October, was only 22 euros. This is 45% of its full price. This ticket is valid to use by Christmas, excluding the feast of the Virgin. (8th December, Immaculate Conception).

Ponte di Legno. Adamello Ski. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.
Ponte di Legno. Adamello Ski. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The cable car that goes up to the Presena glacier in Pontedilegno-Tonale

The case of Valle d’Aosta and Cervinia’s opening. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The Valle d’Aosta region has approved a new health protocol valid for ski resorts. The first station to open will be Cervinia on the 24th October. Among the measures imposed the following will take place:

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Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’

Skyway Monte Bianco. Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco- Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'

Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’

 
 
Skyway Monte Bianco, part of Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces a new sustainability strategy. The aim of it is to ‘save the glacier’.
 
Skyway Monte Bianco is a unique rotair cablecar that reaches 3,466 and takes you in two steps. Skyway is the first company proposing an environmental sustainable project to preserve the Mont Blanc glacier.
 
Skyway Monte Bianco is a start for the off-piste itineraries towards Courmayeur and Chamonix. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
Skyway Monte Bianco is a start for the off-piste itineraries towards Courmayeur and Chamonix. Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
The town of Courmayeur, at the bottom of the Monte Bianco Massif. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
The town of Courmayeur, at the bottom of the Monte Bianco Massif. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
The cablecar Skyway Monte Bianco unites the Italian Alps to the French. Therefore, the idea of this project is to create a plan that is social and friendly to the environment.
 
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
 

The Skyway Sustainability Initiative

 
Skyway has curated this report out of a three-years’ study. They have formed the Save the Glacier project. They started by cleaning up an area of he Gran Flambeau glacier. Here there were many signs of human damage left behind. Partnering with the technicians operation and the Grivel, they retired twenty tons. Scrap and iron materials taken downstream to dispose with safety.
 
After studying how glaciers are suffering, Skyway wants to take concrete actions. This will be in form of green-certified supplies. Skyway intends to reduce waste volume. These will also reduce energy sources and emissions and water. The idea is to have a green consortium.
The views from Skyway Monte Bianco are amazing, wherever you look. You are on the roof of Europe! Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
The views from Skyway Monte Bianco are amazing, wherever you look. You are on the roof of Europe!  Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
 

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EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a ‘No Deal Brexit’.

Get ready to take your pet abroad after Brexit is imposed. EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a 'No Deal Brexit'. Photo Unsplash Jeremy Bishop.

EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a ‘No Deal Brexit’.

September is when we have to plan ahead if we plan to travel with our pooches after 1st Jan 2021. The Withdrawal Agreement ends on 31st December. If there is not a special agreement done for travelling with your pets to the EU, then you need to think in advance. I mean, four months in advance! If at the last minute we have an agreement, then we could be lucky! But as of today, negotiations are not looking pretty. So better to prepare than being sorry later!
 
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
 
If you want to take your pooch to the Continent, act now! Here Ozzy poses with his jacket and preferred ball. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a 'No Deal Brexit'.
If you want to take your pooch to the Continent, act now! Here Ozzy poses with his jacket and preferred ball. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a ‘No Deal Brexit’.

What steps to take to travel with your pet. EU Regulations for travelling with your dog if we have a ‘No Deal Brexit’.

 
 
So what you have to do? Well, for starters, your dog needs to have a rabies vaccine. If you regularly go to the continent, then you should have given your dog a rabies test to travel. The vet needs to put a microchip to your pet, but this is pretty common practice in the UK when you get a pet.
 
Your pet needs to be at least 12 weeks old to receive a vaccine.
 
Even if your pet received a vaccine, your vet, might suggest you to give another rabies vaccine. This is because you need to wait at least 30 days to take some blood samples from your pet to send to an EU-approved lab.
 
The UK government states that you need to wait 3 months from the date of the succesful blood sample to travel. The vet will need you to give you a copy of the test results and include the date the blood sample was taken. He/she will have to write this on an animal health certificate (AHC).
 
Then, if the blood result is not successful, you have to repeat the vaccination and blood test after 30 days… Imagine the pain…
 
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Switzerland Tourism is asking to offer tests to tourists to avoid quarantine.

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.

Switzerland Tourism is asking to offer tests to tourists to avoid quarantine.

Switzerland Tourism is asking to offer tests to tourists to avoid quarantine. Covid-19 high risk countries visitors should be able to travel in Switzerland. With negative corona tests they could avoid quarantine, say tourism officials.
 

From Swissinfo.ch – NZZ am Sonntag/sb

 
Now people arriving in Switzerland from high risk coronavirus countries need to quarantine. The Federal Office of Public Health updates this list in frequent basis. People not complying with the quarantine risk a fine. Quarantine in Switzerland is for 10 days.
 
With winter season starting in less than three months, it can be very detrimental for tourism.
 
“If French guests are absent in the autumn and winter season, we will be hit hard,” Martin Nydegger, director of Switzerland Tourism, told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper on September 13.
Saas-Fee is one of the prettiest ski towns in the Valais region. Switzerland Tourism is asking to offer tests to tourists to avoid quarantine.
Saas-Fee is one of the prettiest ski towns in the Valais region. Switzerland Tourism is asking to offer tests to tourists to avoid quarantine.

Valais is concerned for the upcoming ski season

 
The resorts of the Valais region are nervous with the panorama this winter. Resorts such as Verbier, Zermatt and Crans-Montana depend a lot on international visitors.
 
“There is a lot at stake for us,” said Christophe Darbellay, head of the Valais Department of Economic Affairs.
 
Winter tourism brings in around CHF2 billion ($2.2 billion) a year. Half of the winter tourists come from abroad, from Europe, according to NZZ .

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To extend or not to extend… that is the question:

Photo by Tecnica Sports. To extend or not to extend… that is the question

To extend or not to extend… that is the question:

By Chino Martinez Ski Pro at Aspen Mt Ski School

To extend or not to extend… that is the question:

Up and down, down under, cross over,

retraction turn, bend you knees… etc etc etc.
what happened with this “old skool words”?

How come we could ski like this for years and years, but now we don’t do it anymore…
I know most of you are going to answer like a ski instructor or a coach:
-“the equipment has changed”!
-I understand that but the mountains and the snow DON’T. They didn’t change.

-So how come we don’t talk any more about extension, and flexion?
Has it become too complicated and confusing to teach our clients, student, and racers?

Ski Pro Chino Martinez. To extend or not to extend… that is the question.
Ski Pro Chino Martinez. To extend or not to extend… that is the question.

This is simple physics: the mountains (as we skiing down) is falling down, dough!
So if you want to stay in touch with the snow you have to extend and flex? Otherwise you……..?- jump, yes!.
Ski-snow contact is coming from your extension and flexion: period.
As you start a new turn your legs are getting longer and as you finished the turn your legs are getting shorter!, How can we call this anything but flexion and extension?

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Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO

We finally arrived at Lago d'Arpy. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Family trek to Lago d' Arpy, Morgex, AO.

Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO

Sentiero to Lago d’Arpy, Morgex, AO (Aosta Valley) – Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO.

Summer in the Italian Alps.

We came to take a five-weeks long holiday at our home in Morgex, called Il Cuore della Valdigne. This is a great spot for hundreds or thousands of trekking paths. Italian called them sentieros.

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Going up towards Lago d'Arpy you have great views of the Catena di Monte Bianco. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Family trek to Lago d' Arpy, Morgex, AO.
Going up towards Lago d’Arpy you have great views of the Catena di Monte Bianco. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO.
The most renown place in the Morgex area I would say is Lago d’ Arpy. Arpy is a great spot in winter for its cross country trails and snow-shoeing paths. In summer it is the place to go out for treks, mountain biking and swimming in the freezing lake. The lake is further up the road from the Ostello di Arpy. The Ostello is a rustic lodge that has a cafeteria/restaurant and some rooms. It also offers rental for cross country skiing and snow shoes.
We went up the road until passing the hotel La Genzianella and we parked next to some public restrooms. There it was the start of the sentiero 15, at 1,954 m, that takes one hour and five minutes to reach the lake. The sentiero is pretty simple categorised as T: turista. It has a bit of a climb, but nothing major (140m) and an average gradient of 3%.

Sentieros‘ classifications in Italy.

Sentieros are classified, at least in Italy, in T as Turista, E, Escursionistico and EE Escursinisti esperti (expert). Then there you have the alpinist classifications, EEA is for expert with via ferrata o attrezzata, EEA-F (ferrata facile); EEA-PD (ferrata Poco dificile), EEA-D (ferrata difficile) and EAI (excursionism in snow).
While you walk through the sentiero, you have amazing views of the Macizo di Monte Bianco. Usually this path is very busy with families and dogs, but we managed to go pretty late, and it was pretty quiet.
The sentiero 15 takes you from Colle de San Carlo to Lago d'Arpy, and if you continue, to Lago di Pietra Rosa. Family trek to Lago d' Arpy, Morgex, AO.
The sentiero 15 takes you from Colle de San Carlo to Lago d’Arpy, and if you continue, to Lago di Pietra Rosa. Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO.
 

Another option for reaching Lago d’ Arpy

You can do a bit of a more challenging walk with more climb if you stop at the Ostello d’Arpy. That is a sentiero classified E: Excursionista. To be honest I was not sure where to start, so we kept on going up the road as there was a sign to Lago d’Arpy. And then we’ve stopped before what it looks to go to the Colle San Carlo and down towards La Thuile.
The path to Lago d'Arpy, sentiero 15. Family trek to Lago d' Arpy, Morgex, AO.
The path to Lago d’Arpy, sentiero 15. Family trek to Lago d’ Arpy, Morgex, AO.
When we arrived, our dog ran straight into the freezing lake. The views were magnificent. It was a tad cold as it was windy, and up at 2,066 m you had not much to guard you.
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The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times

Travelling with masks- this is Covid-19 times. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times. Photo: The-Ski-Guru

The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times

The drive to our summer holiday on Covid-19 times. Finally the day has come, we put the alarm at 2.30 AM and started to get ready the car refrigerator to get going. Prepared the flasks, went to wake up the boys, like three times, and finally, we were all ready to go.
 

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My husband did the packing of the car, and as usual, we were full. And still full after I took things from the bags three times during the preceding week!
 
Anyways, we finished all in the car with the dog and off we went towards Folkestone.
Trying to get Ozzy to pose on the Eurotunnel photo-frame was trickier than it looks! The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.
Trying to get Ozzy to pose on the Eurotunnel photo-frame was trickier than it looks! The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.

Getting on the Eurotunnel. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times

 
The terminal of Eurotunnel was open, which I was not expecting. The food stalls, as Starbucks and Leon, were publishing that they were taking food to your cars. We did not need that, as we had lots of food in the car.
 
We did go to the bathroom there, all with masks, in and out, and then clean well our hands…. I was trying to avoid this, but at least it was early on and we did not meet many people on the way.
 
We got in our car and we loaded on the Eurotunnel. The loudspeakers said that you could not get down your car during the crossing, so it was quieter than usual. This was great to have a little cat nap and have time to change the miles/h to km/h and adjust the clock one hour forward.
At the Ibis Styles in Chaumont. Ozzy seemed very comfy on the bed. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.
At the Ibis Styles in Chaumont. Ozzy seemed very comfy on the bed. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.

On French soil. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times

When we arrived in Calais, it was smooth and easy to get out of the train. We went straight to the A16 and A26 in our road to Chaumont.
We had a good drive, stopped at an open ‘aire’ for a bit. Tried the bathroom and it was awful! That was our last going to the bathroom. Or I find some trees, or use my little Travel Janes that were on my gloves compartment.
All the boys in my family in Chaumont. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.
All the boys in my family in Chaumont. The Drive to Our Summer Holiday on Covid-19 Times.

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