Affordable Ski Holidays – Bulgaria the New Skiers Holiday of Choice?

With the current economic climate, many people used to taking annual family skiing holidays are suddenly finding that they are unable to afford it at the moment. Guest blogging on the Simply Piste blog for the first time is Krystian Szastok from eclipseski.co.uk whom specialise in skiing holidays across the world.

With Andorra having gone upmarket, and thanks to the recent influx of Eastern European countries into the EU, Bulgaria is now the country of choice for cheap ski holidays.

In Bansko, there is a fantastic ski school that caters for a number of languages (certainly English) and it has earned itself the nickname of the ‘Whistler of Bulgaria’, being a fantastically decked out ski resort offering everything you could possibly need, making a ski holiday in Bansko a fantastic option when considering cheap skiing holidays, as everything in Bulgaria is at a dramatically reduced price compared to its more western counterparts, something borne out by the somewhat cowboy property market. With Bulgaria being something of an unknown commodity to most westerners, particularly those with a penchant for skiing, it’s advisable to get the experts to plan your ski holiday for you.

Recent years have seen multi million pound investments made throughout the resort. New hotels, restaurants, disco’s, cafes and bars are being introduced yearly to provide holiday makers with an all round better experience and option for choice. Bankso is also host to a rich historical past, with fortress ruins, clutches of monuments and souvenir shops adding to a boastful cultural experience. All entwined with this is also the regions natural sightseeing. There is an abundance of lakes, waterfalls, caves and forestry to feast your eyes on.  All in all the Bankso resort combines great skiing, history, culture and natural beauty, bringing you a charm and delight through your holiday.

The ups and downs of skiing Down Under

Australia’s ski season got off to a superb start in late June and early July. It hit a high with many skiing fans reporting the best conditions they had seen for decades. If you were lucky enough to be out on the right day, the deep powder and blue skies  were awesome.

Skiing in Australia can be simply the best!

Skiing in Australia can be simply the best!

But then came August – and one of the warmest Augusts on record. By the end of the month many of Australia’s major resorts were forced to close due to lack of snow, or else slash prices for those who wanted to make the most of thinning snow on tussocky slopes.

In some resorts temperatures stayed higher than average throughout the whole season, and right through June, July and August. In New South Wales, for example, there was a greater than average reliance on snow machines for some “reasonable” snow conditions.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand the Kiwis were experiencing a different deal on the ski slopes. In the middle of August a huge snow storm dumped masses of the white stuff on New Zealand and people where even seen skiing on the beach in Christchurch.

Much like Scotland’s skiing story, when the snow comes and the skies are clear, it’s difficult to think of a better place to be, especially if you’re a resident of the country.

Many skiers and snowboarders will tell you that they have experienced some of the “best days ever” on the slopes, simply because they have been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

For many people, this is half the joy. Yes, there are countries across the world that offer more guaranteed skiing conditions, but when the snow is perfect in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Scotland there is a huge whoop of joy from skiing staycationers.

As one keen Scottish snowboarder remarked: “If you are lucky enough to be on the slopes on a day when there’s a fresh dump of snow and bright blue skies, you just revel in the sheer magnificence of your good fortune. I always feel so smug to know I can ski just an hour or so from my own home and surrounded by fabulous Scottish scenery.”

The days of fantastic skiing in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland stay in your memory for years to come. Just like the one metre dump of fluffy white stuff that came at the beginning of August last year in Australia. And the latest dumping in New Zealand.

These are the days that skiers and snowboarders dream of! Tell us about your best day of skiing…

Hot new trend for the cold season

The housing market has woken up to a hot new trend – ski properties. A new report has revealed that sales of skiing properties are bucking the general housing market trend, and in some ski resorts there are strong future growth potentials.

The higher Alpine resorts, and resorts where both summer and winter outdoor activities are most popular, are seeing the greatest demand from property buyers. According to the report from leading property agents Knight Frank there are also pockets of sales surges in some of the tradit0onally favoured ski resorts.

French ski resorts on the up

While prices are still up to 6% below the 2008 sales levels, in some resorts, such as Megeve in France, there has been a stronger-than-average property market recovery with a 4.3% growth in the year to June 2011.

It’s thought that the recovery of housing prices in the French Alps can be attributed to a number of reasons, including the fact that many French ski resorts are located at high altitude, which means they have had more reliable snowfall on average in recent years.

A raft of improvements at French resorts, including improved snow cannons and chairlifts, has also seen positive property sales increases.

Ski property hotspots

And while the traditional favourites of Courchevel, Megève and Val d’Isere continue to lead the sales market, there are pockets within these resorts that are well worth checking out if you’re thinking of buying a ski property. Top tips Courchevel 1850, Mont d’Arbois in Megève, and the Belvedere and Routes des Chalets/Le Reynard in Méribel.

If you have the budget, now might be the time to make an investment in a ski property of your own, or to rent out.

Jaw-dropping snowboard film out on DVD

A mix of ego, skill, drama and stunning scenery makes a new snowboarding film, The Art of Flight, an absolute must-see. The spectacular film follows snowboarding daredevils Travis Rice, Mark Landvik, Pat Moore and pals as they tackle some of the world’s most remote and difficult terrain.

The Art of Flight trailer

The Art of Flight trailer

Prepare to feel your jaw drop as you witness awesome mid-air tricks – the guys swing on tree tops as they fly by, for goodness sakes! – and the impossible-looking slopes that they surf with blue-slope ease.

While this is a film that makes you “ooh” and “aah” at the risk-taking, it also offers a fascinating round-the-world tour as the snowboarders visit a range of locations including Alaska, Romania, Patagonia, Canada, Wyoming, and Austria.

The Brain Farm movie is being shown across America, but for UK snowboarding fans the best way to catch it is on DVD and Blu-rayTM, on iTunes or as part of the limited edition The Art of FLIGHT book.

The DVD/Blu-rayTM package and digital download are both now available at artofflightmovie.com/store.  Meanwhile, catch a trailer on Youtube

The wonders of ski touring

Have you tried it yet? Skiing uphill – and then down? In Scotland over the last couple of years, the numbers of people going ski touring has increased dramatically.

The rise and rise of ski touring

The rise and rise of ski touring

Scotland has been fortunate to have been blessed with several years of fantastic snowy conditions, with the white stuff covering the country’s five resorts for many months each winter.

In the Cairngorms, in particular, the ski season has run from November through to May, and while on-piste conditions haven’t always been perfect for downhill skiing and snowboarding, off-piste the snow has remained plentiful, and perfect for ski touring.

Local ski hire shops have reported that they have been stunned by the rise in requests for hire of ski touring kit, with demand far outstripping equipment. The basic kit for a day of ski touring includes touring skis, with “skins” –  strips of a non-slip material – that are attached to the bottom of the skis; boots that can be unclipped at the heel to allow for an up- and-down movement; and poles.

Perhaps another reason for the trend for ski touring is that while resorts can sometimes be busy, on touring skis you need only your own energy to head off into the mountains. There is no requirement for ski passes, lifts, or groomed pistes.

Be aware that as a novice, however, it is vital that you hire or befriend an experienced ski touring leader. Going off the beaten track into the winter mountains can be dangerous. There is the risk of avalanches, and the snow-covered mountains dictate a high level of navigational skills.

The art of skiing uphill takes a little practice. The aim is to walk-glide uphill with the aid of the hand-held poles and the heel-lift boots attached to “skinned” skis. The sport requires a good level of fitness and it gives the muscles in your legs, bum and arms a great workout.

Of course, it depends on where you’re skiing. The best place to start is on lower-level tacks, for example in the forests in the Cairngorm area.

And then you can take your ski touring higher. Many skiers love the idea of heading to the summit of Cairn Gorm. With a peak of 4084ft, it’s the sixth highest mountain in the UK. It takes around two hours to ski to the top, and then a great deal less time and effort to ski down again.

Why not give this skiing activity a go this year?

TTR snowboard tour set to kick-off

Snowboarders around the world are gearing up for the start of the 2011-12 season of the Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour next month.

The 10th TTR season kicks off with a 5Star Big Air event, the Billabong Ante Up, which returns to the Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada this year.

TTROver 10 months starting from July 1, a series of snowboarding competitions offering prize money and TTR points will be held across 12 nations in four continents.

The top male and female snowboarders at the end of the tour will be crowned the TTR champions.

Organisers of the tour have introduced a new ranking system this year that will see individual world titles awarded in separate categories besides the overall title.

Champions will be crowned in Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air (men only) formats, while the major events of the season will serve as qualifiers for the first 6Star World Snowboarding Championships in February 2012. The championships are set to be held every four years.

The TTR tour was founded in 2002 by Norwegian Terje Haakonsen and others to promote and advance snowboarding.

Skiing in South America this summer

As the snow melts in Europe, it’s the perfect time for skiers to head off to South America where the ski season is just beginning. The best time to go is in July & August, but the ski season runs from June to October.

Chile and Argentina are home to world class ski centres. Head to the tricky slopes of Portillo or the great ski runs of Valle Nevado in the heart of the Andes in Chile. Valle Nevado is the largest ski centre in the Southern Hemisphere and has hosted the Snowboard World Cup. The views are truly  breathtaking in this part of the world and the atmosphere in the ski resorts is lots of fun. There are ski resorts to cater for all levels and tastes, whether you want the convenience of being close to the capital Santiago or to get away from it all with some difficult slopes and spectacular scenery.

Argentina is home to a range of ski resorts varying in size. For some off piste, powder and backcountry action and snowboarding, Las Lenas in the Mendoza Province is the place to go. There are many resorts, mainly around the Lake District, catering for all abilities and tastes. The scenery is jaw-dropping  and the welcomes warm and friendly.

Success for Ski Club skier Baldwin

Funding cuts have not dampened the spirit of British skiers this month as the annual British National Alpine Ski Championships is under way in the Three Valleys resort of Meribel.

The nine-day championships are sponsored by specialist investment advisor Delancey and will provide skiers with an opportunity to compete for both British and international titles in the speed, technical and combined events.

Racers will also have the chance to win the John Ritblat Cup.

British Senior Alpine Ski Team member TJ Baldwin came first among the Brits during the opening event on March 27, just 0.04 seconds behind overall winner Maciej Bydlinksi of Poland.

The 20-year-old dominated the Downhill leader board held on March 29, winning both the international and British categories despite fierce competition from Frenchman Arthur Loye, who attained the second position.

Baldwin, who is one of two British Ski Team members sponsored by the Ski Club alongside Ed Drake, said: “I had a great training run before the Downhill and was feeling relaxed going into the event.”

“I’ve done a lot of speed racing this season and it’s great to see it all coming together.”

US firefighters ski for charity

The Sunday River ski resort in Maine in the US played host to this year’s Firefighter’s Fundraising race

The annual race, which entered its 21st year, saw 20 teams of firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire negotiate a giant slalom race course in full livery.

Each team, comprising five members, had to carry a 50ft fire hose from start to finish, and a penalty of one second was added every time a skier let go of the hose.

The competition was won by the team from the Wolfeboro fire department in North Hampshire, while teams from Livermore Falls and Bethel, Maine, took second and third positions.

The benefits of the event were donated to Maine Handicapped Skiing.

Snow boost for European ski spots

Ski areas in Scotland and most of Europe are enjoying improved conditions following considerable snowfall over the last week.

On-piste conditions at all the five ski areas in Scotland are reported as being better than ever after the region experienced continuous snowfall through the week.

The Italian resorts of Cesana Torinese, Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere saw a snowfall of 60cm on Wednesday, while on Thursday Trentino resort of Madonna di Campiglio reported a fall of 40cm.

Resorts in major ski areas in France including the Three Valleys, Espace Killy, Paradiski, Portes du Soleil and Evasion Mont Blanc benefited from up to 25cm of snow falling across both the Alps and Pyrenees on Thursday.

The resort of Cauterets in the south of France was covered by a blanket of snow after a fall of 50cm.

Swiss resorts – Saas Fee and Zermatt – reported 45cm and 35cm respectively on Thursday, while the Four Valleys resort of Nendaz saw snowfall of 15cm.

The Jungfrau resorts of Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald experienced light snowfall through the week.