Monthly Archives: February 2010

New iPhone applications for skiers

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Apple has come up with new iPhone applications which will come in handy for skiers.
The applications will show the snow report, weather forecasts and also suggest a place to go for lunch on the mountain.
With the iPhone’s GPS capabilities, other programmes provide advanced reality piste maps and GPS tracking of skiing.
Users of these applications have been advised to find a free wi-fi spot on the mountains as using data on the iPhone can be very expensive.
One of the applications, iTrailMap, has a free version which allows user to download high-resolution piste maps for 750 resorts across the world.
The 3D version of iTrailMap costs £2.99 and allows skier to download zoomable 3D maps, record skiing and load them to the internet. Once the map is downloaded, it can be used without a data connection.
Using Local Picks by Tripadvisor, users can find the reviews of the restaurants closest to their location. The software also guides skiers to find fast and slick way to the restaurant.

iPhone Skiing ApplicationApple has come up with new iPhone applications which will come in handy for skiers.

The applications will show the snow report, weather forecasts and also suggest a place to go for lunch on the mountain.

With the iPhone’s GPS capabilities, other programmes provide advanced reality piste maps and GPS tracking of skiing.

Users of these applications have been advised to find a free wi-fi spot on the mountains as using data on the iPhone can be very expensive.

One of the applications, iTrailMap, has a free version which allows user to download high-resolution piste maps for 750 resorts across the world.

The 3D version of iTrailMap costs £2.99 and allows skier to download zoomable 3D maps, record skiing and load them to the internet. Once the map is downloaded, it can be used without a data connection.

Using Local Picks by Tripadvisor, users can find the reviews of the restaurants closest to their location. The software also guides skiers to find fast and slick way to the restaurant.

Red mittens are Olympic ‘must-have’

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There is plenty of sporting gossip to be had at Vancouver’s Winter Olympics, but one passion appears to have swept through the city, uniting fans, athletes, supporters and reporters – a pair of pillar-box red knitted mittens.
The practical garment has become the must-have souvenir of the 2010 Games, but although the brightly-coloured accessories can always be seen on camera, they are harder to find on sale.
Decorated with the Olympic five rings on one side and a Canadian maple leaf on the other, the mittens are part of the Canada Olympic Gear collection designed by Suzanne Timmins, fashion director at Hudson Bay Company.
Costing just 10 Canadian dollars (£6), Olympic Superstore director Dana Hall said she was not surprised queues to buy the mittens can stretch out of the shop.
She said: “It’s a practical item at 10 dollars; everyone can afford it … they are lightweight, packable, they don’t break… it is just the perfect item.”
Ms Hall said sometimes people wait up to an hour to reach the Superstore’s tills, and guessed about 20,000 people passed through its doors every day since the Olympics began.

Vancouver Olympics Luge Red MittensThere is plenty of sporting gossip to be had at Vancouver’s Winter Olympics, but one passion appears to have swept through the city, uniting fans, athletes, supporters and reporters – a pair of pillar-box red knitted mittens.

The practical garment has become the must-have souvenir of the 2010 Games, but although the brightly-coloured accessories can always be seen on camera, they are harder to find on sale.

Decorated with the Olympic five rings on one side and a Canadian maple leaf on the other, the mittens are part of the Canada Olympic Gear collection designed by Suzanne Timmins, fashion director at Hudson Bay Company.

Costing just 10 Canadian dollars (£6), Olympic Superstore director Dana Hall said she was not surprised queues to buy the mittens can stretch out of the shop.

She said: “It’s a practical item at 10 dollars; everyone can afford it … they are lightweight, packable, they don’t break… it is just the perfect item.”

Ms Hall said sometimes people wait up to an hour to reach the Superstore’s tills, and guessed about 20,000 people passed through its doors every day since the Olympics began.

Untrained skiers risking injury

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More than 50% of skiers are risking injury by hitting the slopes without any tuition, a survey has shown.
The decision to buck lessons was made by 8% of skiers because they ‘couldn’t be bothered’ according to insurance company InsureandGo.
Almost a quarter of people said the cost of lessons led to them not taking any, while 28% thought they were too good to bother with tuition.
The results led Perry Wilson, founder of InsureandGo, to warn untrained skiers that they could face liability claims if involved in an accident.
He said: “These are really concerning figures which suggest that there could be a huge number of injuries and accidents on the slopes this year as untrained skiers come unstuck. Untrained skiers also need to be aware they could be leaving themselves open to liability claims if they cause an accident or injure someone on the slopes.
“Apathy and arrogance are not good reasons to avoid taking lessons. If you’re paying for a winter sports holiday, you really must ensure you’ve invested in proper training too.”

Skiers Risk injuryMore than 50% of skiers are risking injury by hitting the slopes without any tuition, a survey has shown.

The decision to buck lessons was made by 8% of skiers because they ‘couldn’t be bothered’ according to insurance company InsureandGo.

Almost a quarter of people said the cost of lessons led to them not taking any, while 28% thought they were too good to bother with tuition.

The results led Perry Wilson, founder of InsureandGo, to warn untrained skiers that they could face liability claims if involved in an accident.

He said: “These are really concerning figures which suggest that there could be a huge number of injuries and accidents on the slopes this year as untrained skiers come unstuck. Untrained skiers also need to be aware they could be leaving themselves open to liability claims if they cause an accident or injure someone on the slopes.

“Apathy and arrogance are not good reasons to avoid taking lessons. If you’re paying for a winter sports holiday, you really must ensure you’ve invested in proper training too.”

Woman and son rescued from glacier

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A woman spent nine hours in sub-zero temperatures with her son after losing their snowmobile group on an Icelandic glacier trip, it has been revealed.
Beata and Jeremy Scott, from Edinburgh, used their snowmobile as shelter after they lost their group on the glacier on Sunday, according to reports.
The pair were taken to hospital in Reykjavik after being rescued from the Langjokull glacier.
Mrs Scott told STV News at Six: “I was trying to shelter him from the wind. He’s a brave little boy, he started playing word games.”
Her husband Mike said he realised when the tour had finished that his wife and son were missing.
He told the programme: “They went off to try and find them. All the time the wind was getting stronger and I was very concerned because of my experience in hills in those sorts of conditions, they couldn’t see anything, to find somebody was going to be almost impossible and how was the rescue team going to get in – by walking.
“Those guys are just remarkable.”

IcelandA woman spent nine hours in sub-zero temperatures with her son after losing their snowmobile group on an Icelandic glacier trip, it has been revealed.

Beata and Jeremy Scott, from Edinburgh, used their snowmobile as shelter after they lost their group on the glacier on Sunday, according to reports.

The pair were taken to hospital in Reykjavik after being rescued from the Langjokull glacier.

Mrs Scott told STV News at Six: “I was trying to shelter him from the wind. He’s a brave little boy, he started playing word games.”

Her husband Mike said he realised when the tour had finished that his wife and son were missing.

He told the programme: “They went off to try and find them. All the time the wind was getting stronger and I was very concerned because of my experience in hills in those sorts of conditions, they couldn’t see anything, to find somebody was going to be almost impossible and how was the rescue team going to get in – by walking.

“Those guys are just remarkable.”

Jeans genius from snowboarding team

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The US snowboarders in the Vancouver Games have been showing off their jeans as well as their prowess.
The team members wore their blue Ski jeans, made just for practice, on Cypress Mountain, near Vancouver. Burton, the company providing the team’s gear, supplied the garments on the eve of the Games. More traditional race pants from Burton stayed boxed but the jeans were donned with enthusiasm and proved real head turners.
“We’re wearing these jeans and there’s nothing you can say about it,” said US snowboarder Nick Baumgartner.
“Snowboarding is the cool factor; that’s what the sport is all about, so why not embellish it to its limit?” said Baumgartner. To wear jeans in the Olympics? I don’t think you can get any cooler than that.”

Vancouver Olympics SnowboardingThe US snowboarders in the Vancouver Games have been showing off their jeans as well as their prowess.

The team members wore their blue Ski jeans, made just for practice, on Cypress Mountain, near Vancouver. Burton, the company providing the team’s gear, supplied the garments on the eve of the Games. More traditional race pants from Burton stayed boxed but the jeans were donned with enthusiasm and proved real head turners.

“We’re wearing these jeans and there’s nothing you can say about it,” said US snowboarder Nick Baumgartner.

“Snowboarding is the cool factor; that’s what the sport is all about, so why not embellish it to its limit?” said Baumgartner. To wear jeans in the Olympics? I don’t think you can get any cooler than that.”

49 of 50 US states wake up to snow

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Snowy AmericaSnow has covered the majority of states in the US, making almost all of the huge country a skier’s paradise.

Some 49 out of 50 states have snow on the ground with Hawaii being the one exception.

The Global Snow Lab is looking at records to find out if there has ever been snow on the same day in all US states.

Meanwhile, Winter Olympics organisers have postponed the men’s downhill skiing competition until Monday due to a slushy conditions on the course.

The blue riband event had been scheduled for Saturday at Whistler Creekside.

But a combination of rain, snow, fog and temperatures that have been too warm have turned the slopes to slush making them too dangerous to be used.

The first women’s event was scheduled to be the super-combined on Sunday but that was postponed for the same reasons.

Winter Olympics: Any UK skiing hopefuls?

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2010winterolympicsIt is true that when it comes to funding and available facilities, those UK participants for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games may not be met with the same luxuries as their other competitors, but their spirits are that much stronger. In fact it is true that even despite these obstacles at least one or two medals are usually brought back to the country during each of the games. And while these upcoming games outlook to be the most rewarding yet, the best chances for a medal may be in the events outside of skiing; yet that doesn’t mean that the dreams and aspirations of the UK’s ski team are dampened in the slightest.

“It’s just indescribable how I feel at this moment in time, words cannot explain it. When I look back over all the hard work over the last five years with my coaching team travelling the world, it starts to put into perspective just what an incredible journey it’s been for us”, states Ellie Koyander a member of the freestyle skiing team. Those words are echoed by Fiona Young from the cross country ski team, “I’m excited about the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics and I’m really looking forward to competing”.

Being that the Olympics are perhaps the epitome of athletic prowess and achievement it should come as no surprise that all of these athletes have dedicated themselves for years and years for this very chance to shine and that alone will encourage them to step it up even further. In terms of what it takes to be named to the team Andrew Musgrave responds, “There were several different criteria for qualification but mainly it’s to do with the world ranking”.

Of course it will take more than grit and determination to bring home a gold medal, or any medal for that matter, and it appears that the greatest hope for some hardware for the UK in this arena is from Zoe Gillings in the snowboarding cross division. Finishing among the top three spots for a total of five different World Cup games she is coming into the Olympics being ranked as the fifth best. 

She notes that her 2006 showing in the Turin games were a bit disappointing with a 15th place, but does cite the fact that she had been injured and had to rush training and thus was not up to the top of her abilities at the time, “I’m even more excited about going to these Olympics than I was about going to Turin”. I’ve been thinking of Vancouver ever since the Closing Ceremony in 2006, and I’m really hopeful of making my country proud. My ambition is to come back with a medal”. So as we draw ever nearer to the Opening Ceremonies our hearts and well wishes are with each and every one of these hard working UK competitors.

Village gets best skiing for years

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Snow SkiingAs the British team prepares for the opening of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a group of skiers in Northumberland are enjoying the best snow for decades.

The hills around Allenheads, one of England’s highest villages, have been covered in snow for most of the winter.

The former lead mining village, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, is 1,450ft above sea level.

The ski slope, which has three tractor-powered lifts, sits above the village at 1,770ft and is run by the British Norwegian Ski Club.

Guy Javens, who helps run the club, said: “This season has been absolutely fantastic and this is our 57th consecutive day of snow.”

Mr Javens said during the season’s peak more than 200 skiers would be at the centre at weekends.

“We’ve been open now for eight weeks and it has been absolutely incredible,” he said.

“It really has been the best snow for decades – so much for global warming.”

As the 21st Winter Olympics opens in Vancouver, the 52-strong Team GB is aiming for its greatest medal success since the 1936 Games.

But despite the snow in Northumberland, Mr Javens thinks it is unlikely Allenheads would ever get to host the Games.

“It would be incredible to host the Winter Olympics but I don’t think our slopes are quite steep enough,” he joked.

Probe after snowman crushes boy

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SnowmanPolice are investigating after a two-year-old boy was crushed by a snowman in a ski resort in Austria.

Louis Nisbett-Vindal, from Hertfordshire, struggled to breathe after the three-metre high figure fell on top of him, the local tourist board said.

It took his parents, Yves Vindal and Michelle Nisbett, more than five minutes to rescue him with the help of volunteers, the Olympic Region of Seefeld tourist board director said.

Markus Tsehoner said: “The boy was trying to fix a broken hand on the snowman but the sun had been shining and the figure collapsed on top of him. It was a big accident that no one could have foreseen. It was a big shock for everyone. He was pulled out but for some minutes it was a very dangerous situation.”

Louis and his parents, from Chorleywood, were all crying during the incident on Sunday, he added. “Everyone wanted to help but they had no tools to dig him out so they tried with their hands but no-one wanted to pull him in case they hurt him more,” he said.

Louis was taken to the University Hospital in Innsbruck by helicopter where he was monitored overnight. A hospital spokesman said: “The boy was scared as it was a big snowman, but there were no real injuries and he was discharged on Monday.”

Seefeld Police are investigating the incident and will decide in a few days whether to bring criminal charges, a spokesman said. The snowman was one of about 20 figures in the area that had been built for an annual festival.

Swiss parties to boost ski host bid

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Ski JumpSwiss ski resort St Moritz has said it will throw a party for every medal the country wins at the Winter Olympics to boost its campaign to host the 2015 Alpine Skiing World Championships.

Bid leaders think twin US resorts Vail-Beaver Creek are the International Ski Federation favourites to win the hosting race, after they came second to the Austrian village of Schladming in the 2013 contest.

St Moritz hopes to gain support for its own bid by sponsoring House of Switzerland cultural centres in Vancouver and Whistler during the winter Games, which run from February 12 to 28.

Spokesman Claudio Duschletta said: “Whenever there is a Swiss medal in any sport there will be a party – and we’re sure there’s going to be a couple of parties.

“Everybody that comes inside the House of Switzerland will know about our bid.”

Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy is also competing to host the 2015 event, after picking up one out of 16 votes to host the Championships 18 months ago. St Moritz also secured one vote, but Vail-Beaver Creek received four.

“Vail absolutely starts as the favourite,” said Duschletta, “But then you never know, these decisions are sometimes very hard to judge.”