PlanetSki.eu brings you news and weather reports straight from the mountains.http://www.planetski.eu/news I didn't quite know what to expect but it exceeded my expectations. If that makes sense. http://www.planetski.eu/news/76 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:51:26 +0000 Now I thought I wouldn't get too bothered about the Winter Olympics. How wrong I was. http://www.planetski.eu/news/75 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:15:36 +0000 With half term upon us it's a question many parents have been pondering. Partly because siblings may have different holidays and also because it'll save a small fortune. http://www.planetski.eu/news/74 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:28:37 +0000 The conditions are about the best of the winter, so why am I not skiing very much? http://www.planetski.eu/news/73 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:16:18 +0000 On the surface leading the life of a ski instructor seems pretty ideal. Is it? http://www.planetski.eu/news/72 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:30:18 +0000 There was a time when a ski holiday at Xmas was a sure seller for the Tour Operators. Not any more. http://www.planetski.eu/news/71 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:02:18 +0000 As we approach 2010 it seems worth asking how the noughties have been for snowfall? http://www.planetski.eu/news/70 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:04:33 +0000 The trouble is that it's only with one airline and only out of one airport. http://www.planetski.eu/news/69 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:28:02 +0000 It's exciting, daunting, fun and wonderful in equal measure. http://www.planetski.eu/news/68 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:58:09 +0000 There is quite a bit of it in the ski world at the moment. http://www.planetski.eu/news/67 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:15:39 +0000 So what did people think of The Metro Ski and Snowboard Show 2009? I know my view. http://www.planetski.eu/news/66 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:14:14 +0000 The ski industry is cranking itself up for the coming winter. Some are rather worried, but not me. http://www.planetski.eu/news/65 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:18:35 +0000 A few US resorts have opened with a thin layer of man-made snow. Some say, so what? http://www.planetski.eu/news/64 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:27:01 +0000 I'm writing a regular column for the magazine, In the Snow. Here's the first one. http://www.planetski.eu/news/63 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:28:55 +0000 Everyone in the ski industry is wondering what on earth will happen next winter. So, how will it be? http://www.planetski.eu/news/62 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:58:12 +0000 I've been out in The Alps a couple of months and now it's time to head back to the UK to sort out a few things. Before we know it winter will be upon us. http://www.planetski.eu/news/61 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:03:46 +0000 I’ve been round a few ski resorts this summer and it’s always strange to see them without snow. http://www.planetski.eu/news/60 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:56:11 +0000 In the final blog from the island of Corsica I’ll tell you a bit about some of the beaches and a new discovery for me; snorkelling. http://www.planetski.eu/news/58 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 08:43:50 +0000 I’m continuing the trip to Corsica with a bit of sightseeing, some mountain walking and discovering something of its history. It is the most fabulous place and I don’t think I’ll quite find the words to do it justice. http://www.planetski.eu/news/57 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:03:27 +0000 Now I love the mountains in the summer but a beach is pretty good too. Corsica has both and virtually everything you could possibly want. What a place! http://www.planetski.eu/news/56 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:37:28 +0000 I've swapped back from the anorak to leather jacket. I went by motorbike to the Paleo Festival and it fits a bit better. http://www.planetski.eu/news/55 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:52:01 +0000 You see I’ve been writing a bit about the Tour de France over the past couple of weeks and have got quite into it. http://www.planetski.eu/news/54 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:50:37 +0000 I’ve been at the Montreux Jazz Festival, not to pay see the main acts, but to sample all the free concerts. http://www.planetski.eu/news/53 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:31:50 +0000 I’ve reached my destination of Verbier and I’m disappointed, it's a bit of an anti-climax. You see I don’t actually want to be here. http://www.planetski.eu/news/52 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:15:19 +0000 I had the most amazing ride through France on my motorbike and I’m now gazing up at The Eiger. Life doesn’t get much better. http://www.planetski.eu/news/51 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:40:31 +0000 A motorbike that is, but it didn’t get off to a very good start. In fact I almost turned round and went home. http://www.planetski.eu/news/50 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:12:06 +0000 Now I can rattle off a 500-word news story, blog or magazine article with my eyes shut, but a book? And, about what? http://www.planetski.eu/news/49 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:48:36 +0000 Why do so few British people think of going to the Alps in the summer? Or any other mountain range for that matter. http://www.planetski.eu/news/48 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:38:49 +0000 Litigation crept into the European ski world a few years ago and is getting a bit out of control in my humble opinion. http://www.planetski.eu/news/47 Sat, 23 May 2009 11:51:53 +0000 It’s a question I’m being asked a lot at the moment as people find it odd that I’m still out in the Alps. http://www.planetski.eu/news/46 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:18:39 +0000 It was winter first, by late morning Spring, summer in the afternoon and by the evening there was an Autumnal chill in the air. http://www.planetski.eu/news/45 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:51:40 +0000 I needed to get out of Verbier to see a bit of reality. I had planned to go to Sion, but ended up in Vevey and then aboard a boat. http://www.planetski.eu/news/44 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:55:39 +0000 Now don’t get me wrong, I love ski resorts, but sometimes you have to get out otherwise you go a bit stir crazy. http://www.planetski.eu/news/43 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:39:23 +0000 It was all in a good cause but I was pretty nervous in case no-one wanted me. In the end I was sold twice! http://www.planetski.eu/news/42 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:18:18 +0000 He is probably the most famous freeride skier and I was lucky enough to sit next to him the other night. http://www.planetski.eu/news/41 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:05:37 +0000 Geraldine Fasnacht is a base jumper, wing suit flyer, climber, and extreme snowboarder. http://www.planetski.eu/news/40 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:55:01 +0000 Well quite often we actually have lessons ourselves in order to improve. Everyone needs lessons. http://www.planetski.eu/news/38 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:55:44 +0000 It wasn’t on Mont Fort, Tortin or Gentianne in Verbier but gliding down 'the rouge'. http://www.planetski.eu/news/37 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:09:28 +0000 Well, not exactly as I was disqualified before I had even put my skis on, but I did get a prize. http://www.planetski.eu/news/36 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:39:42 +0000 I’ve caught the travel bug. No sooner have I got back home to Verbier than I’m off to Zermatt. Plans are a bit vague for this trip too. http://www.planetski.eu/news/35 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:12:01 +0000 Coming to Les Gets again after all these years was a bit like meeting a friend I hadn’t seen for years? But, would we still get on? http://www.planetski.eu/news/34 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:43:54 +0000 Well not quite, but I’m visiting 10 different ski resorts in a week to see what’s going on. It’s good to get out of Verbier and see some other places. http://www.planetski.eu/news/33 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:31:25 +0000 It seemed an odd place to find a Burns Night celebration, but then there are many Scots in the Chamonix Valley and the people in the legendary French resort don’t need much of an excuse for a party. http://www.planetski.eu/news/31 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:03:55 +0000 A full supermarket trolley cost me under £100, a decent lunch is £15 and every shop seems to have a sale on or is offering 2 for 1. Even petrol is good value. http://www.planetski.eu/news/30 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:14:11 +0000 Last time I went to French classes I learnt how to ask the way to the train station or enquire about the weather. Not this time! http://www.planetski.eu/news/29 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:33:16 +0000 Last week the bars were packed, the slopes crowded and it was pretty full on. Now there’s tumbleweed blowing through town. http://www.planetski.eu/news/28 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:07:23 +0000 In the last few days I've been skied into twice, seen countless people going too fast and almost got punched. http://www.planetski.eu/news/27 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:17:54 +0000 It’s a phrase as ski instructors we are never supposed to mention, but actually it kind of works. Sometimes. http://www.planetski.eu/news/26 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:53:24 +0000 It used to be exciting and glamorous – now it’s utterly tedious and often worse. http://www.planetski.eu/news/25 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:35:13 +0000 I am leaving the powder of Verbier to go to see a couple of bands at the Brixton academy in London. It’s just for 1 night. http://www.planetski.eu/news/24 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:19:39 +0000 Blimey where do I start? It sounds like the ideal job and, well, it pretty much is. Except for a few things. http://www.planetski.eu/news/23 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:55:52 +0000 Why is it that some guys like fighting? I was having a beer in a local bar after a day in the powder and suddenly a drunken brawl erupted. http://www.planetski.eu/news/22 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:36:55 +0000 I’m afraid I find blogs often dull, usually self indulgent and pretty much only of interest to the writer and their close friends and family. http://www.planetski.eu/news/21 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:48:38 +0000 Bon voyage - Sadly it's time to pack my bags for the long journey back to Europe. It began in a kayak and ended up sightseeing in Bueons Aires. http://www.planetski.eu/news/20 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:13:24 +0000 Party time - South American style. I started off with the best intentions in the world and then it sort of went downhill. As it does. But at least I avoided the ladies of the night. http://www.planetski.eu/news/19 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:44:54 +0000 Funny happenings in ski resorts - I went for a tour of the town visiting the slums, one of the oldest mountaineering club's in the Andes and then rather over did the beer. http://www.planetski.eu/news/17 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:35:56 +0000 Skiing and chocolate - Another fantastic day's skiing high up in the Andes and then a visit to a chocolate factory. Believe it or not there's some of the best chocolate in the world here. http://www.planetski.eu/news/16 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:13:36 +0000 Snow and pirates – Well what a day! I skied in 2 metres of deep, fresh powder and ended up at a party dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. http://www.planetski.eu/news/15 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:55:32 +0000 Argentina - I've wanted to go to ski in The Andes for years and when I arrived there was over 2 metres of fresh powder. Wow! http://www.planetski.eu/news/14 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:46:46 +0000