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Features

Praise for PlanetSKI from Across the Pond

The recognition comes from the global US based web site, Unofficial Networks, that calls us ‘One of the best European ski websites’. It is a USA Today company.

August’s Skiing Snippets

– Secret Swimming Pools in the Alps Provide Windfall for French Tax Authorities
– Air France Pilots Fight in Cockpit After Geneva Takeoff
– Switzerland Trials Wind Turbine with Solar Panels
– Mummified Chamois Found as Glacier Melts
– Glaciers in the Pyrenees Set to Disappear…LIVE

PlanetSKI at Latitude

You’ll normally find us at altitude in the winter, but in the summer months we’re mostly back in the UK. This time at latitude. We have been writing occasional articles to answer the question most asked at this time of year “What does PlanetSKI do in the Summer?”

July’s Skiing Snippets

– British Woman Dies in Dolomites Fall
– Two Climbers in New Zealand Survive Overnight After Avalanche
– Women & Men to Race Same Distances in Nordic Skiing
– Funding Confirmed for GB Winter Sports Ahead of 2026 Olympics
– Fancy a PR Job in the UK Snowsport Industry?… LIVE & UPDATED

Registration for World Snow Day Opens

The 12th edition of World Snow Day will take place on the 15th January 2023. The World Snow Day Awards will also be handed out. The events aims to get more young people into snowsports.

What Does PlanetSKI Do In The Summer? Part Two…

It’s the question we are asked most at this time of year. We’re currently hiking the South Downs Way in preparation for walking at altitude in the Alps later this summer. We’ve now done more than half the route, Eastbourne to Amberley. UPDATED

Franz Klammer Chasing the Line

The Kaiser is a legend in ski racing with 26 World Cup wins. The greatest moment of his career was gold at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics in front of a home crowd. A film on his victory had its UK premiere this week. Klammer was there and so was PlanetSKI. We also report from the resort of Patscherkofel where the race took place.

June’s Skiing Snippets

– Back in the Day in Verbier
– Eddie the Eagle Opens Indoor Ski Slope in Devon
– Scientists Investigate ‘Snow Blood’ in the Alps
– International Ski Marathon Federation Bans Russian Athletes
– Spain Backs Out Of Pyrenees 2030 Olympic Bid… LIVE & UPDATED

Sunshine Slush Cup is Back!

Many resorts have them but Sunshine in Alberta, Canada was one of the first. It’s three years since the last one took place due to Covid-19 & this season it ran for the 92nd time. UPDATED

What Does PlanetSKI Do In The Summer? Part One…

It’s the question we are asked most at this time of year. We’re currently hiking the South Downs Way in preparation for walking at altitude in the Alps later this summer. We’ve now done a third of the route, Eastbourne to Brighton. UPDATED

Time to Watch Some Ski Videos

The ski season is over so what better to do than watch some new snowsports videos? These come from our friends over at Marker, Dalbello, Volkl and Level. NEW

Black Folks Do Ski

50 years ago, two black American skiers were introduced by a mutual friend. It led to the ‘National Brotherhood of Skiers’. The two men, both in their 80s, have made it into the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. PlanetSKI has been speaking to them.

Race Day in Val Thorens As It Closes for the Season

PlanetSKI was in the French resort at the weekend for its end of season party – La Grand Derniere.  We donned our race bib, waxed up the skis and sharpened our edges for a race that goes on piste and off piste. UPDATED

Top Tens of the Freeride World Tour

It was a season of highs & lows. The 2022 Freeride World Tour season was one to remember. Here are the best moments of an unforgettable year of Freeride, all caught on video.

May’s Skiing Snippets

– 2 Dead & 9 Injured After Ice Fall in Swiss Alps
– ‘The Ultimate Run’ Wins Sports Emmy® Award
– Spring Ski Descent of Mont Blanc
– Foothills Above Montreux Turn White…LIVE & UPDATED

Skiing in Norway: PlanetSKI reports from Narvik, inside the Arctic Circle

We expected some fabulous skiing, but the area has far more to offer than simply sliding around on snow. In our latest adventures we’re climbing aboard the Arctic Train to Riksgransen, snow mobiling in Sweden & visiting the fascinating Polar Park.

Skiers Trust Announces New Ambassador

Nickie Mabey, Founder and owner of adventure ski specialist Mabey Ski has become an ambassador of the charity, The Skiers Trust.

PlanetSKI Reports from Narvik  – One of the Most Northerly Resorts in Europe, Deep in the Arctic Circle

We expected some fabulous skiing and stunning scenery, but the area in Norway has far more to offer than simply sliding around on snow. Arctic train rides, snowmobiling, historical WW2 sites, meeting polar animals and much more. It is a unique winter experience.

A Last Blast in Les2Alpes

It’s a final spring fling on the slopes for PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter.  A couple of days in the resort that has the highest skiing in France seems as good a place as any to end the season. Even better if there’s some powder skiing to be had.

PlanetSKI Heads to the Arctic Circle

We’re about to ski in one of the most northerly ski resorts in Europe, Narvik in northern Norway. It is worth a visit for the flight alone.

PlanetSKI Postcard from Andermatt – We visit as Vail Resorts is Set to Takeover

In the first move of its kind Vail Resorts is set to run the Swiss resort of Andermatt. We reported on the news last month and have now visited Andermatt to see what’s in store and assess the resort’s history while enjoying some late season conditions.

Skiing with a Legend

Guerlain Chicherit is a Tignes legend. So much so that he has a run here named after him. PlanetSKI has been given the rare opportunity to meet and ski with the multiple World Champion freerider in the resort where he grew up.

Snow Camp is Back on Snow

The charity that helps inner-city kids is running its first residential course out in the Alps since before Covid-19 struck. It has been a huge task to organise and now the rewards are being reaped.

Off-Piste Delights in St Anton

PlanetSKI reporter George Eykyn was in St Anton in March 2020 when Covid struck. His off piste course ended, the resort shut and he returned suffering from the symptoms of Covid-19. Now he’s returned to finish what he had started – the ‘Black’ class in the Arlberg Ski School.

City & Ski on PlanetSKI’s French Road Trip

PlanetSKI is on the last stage of a mini road trip visiting three lesser-known ski areas in the Isère region of France. We’re combining a bit of sightseeing in the region’s capital, Grenoble, with skiing in the city’s local resort, Chamrousse.

April’s Skiing Snippets

– My Ikon, My Ride
– Fluorinated Wax Set to be Banned by FIS
– Lucky Escape!
– Avalanche Transceiver Recall … LIVE & UPDATED

Fear & Fun on PlanetSKI’s French Road Trip

We’re on a tour taking in three lesser-known ski resorts in the Isère region of France and the region’s capital city, Grenoble.  Stop two: Les 7 Laux in the Belledonne Massif.  Time to dig out the crampons, ropes and ice axes ready for a climbing and off-piste adventure.

Skiing in Scotland

PlanetSKI was at the Mighty Coe Festival in Glencoe on Saturday and then headed over to the Nevis Range for the Scottish Slopestyle Championships on Sunday.

PlanetSKI’s French Road Trip

PlanetSKI is on a mini road trip, visiting some of the lesser-known ski resorts in the Isère region on the edge of the southern French Alps. First up, Villard de Lans.  We discover some unexpectedly good late season skiing, a village with its place in history and some of the best food we’ve eaten in France – cooked by a Brit!

PlanetSKI Goes Back in Time in Alpbach

The resort in the Tirol is like a time capsule, but with a few modern twists.  We were only in the resort for 24-hours but would like to return for so much more. Check out our take on an historic resort in the Alps where time simply stands still.

UK’s First On Mountain Ski & Snowboard Festival Takes Place This Weekend

It’s called The Mighty Coe and you may not be surprised to learn that it takes place at Glencoe in Scotland.  There’s a packed programme and the great news is that there’s currently plenty of snow there. UPDATED

PlanetSKI Postcard from St Johann

It is the latest resort we have visited on our extended stay in the Tirol. We’re examining the secrets of the Tirol and why it is such a special part of the Alps. Step forward St Johann.

Seven of the Best Mountain Restaurants in Tirol

PlanetSKI is currently touring the Tirol in an extended trip. So we thought we’d ask the Tirol Tourist Office for a few recommendations for restaurants. Here is their response.

Thrills & Spills in the Tarentaise

What can you do in a 5-day flying visit to the two biggest ski areas in France?  An awful lot, and we don’t just mean skiing. The Paradiski and Les3Vallées in the Tarentaise have some of the best high-altitude slopes in the Alps and – as we discover – some of the best high-adrenalin activities.

Kings of Leon to Close Ischgl

The US rock band will play the last of the closing concerts in the Austrian resort. Ischgl is changing its traditional end of season musical offerings.

Moonbiking in La Plagne

They’re fully electric so there are no emissions and no noise.  The Moonbike has arrived in La Plagne in the French Alps this winter season. Apparently, anyone can ride one.  Er, apparently not.

Travels & Tales From the Tirol

PlanetSKI is currently based in the Tirol, Austria.  Skiing as many resorts as we can – from the big international ones, to others you have probably never heard of. There are adventures a plenty along the way as we reflect why we rate this part of the Alps so highly.

The PlanetSKI Dave Ryding Interview: In Full

We caught up with The Rocket in Obergurgl in the Tirol last Monday, the day after his silver at Garmisch Partenkirchen. I think it is fair to say we covered most areas -from skiing to marriage, whether he wears underwear when racing and his thoughts on Country & Western.

Alpine Motorcycle Museum Rises from the Ashes

In January 2021 the Top of the Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Hochgurgl burnt to the ground. Hundreds of irreplaceable vintage bikes were destroyed. It was feared the museum was gone forever, but that didn’t take account of the determination of co-founder Attila Schieber. He’s given a private tour of the refurbished museum to PlanetSKI.

March’s Skiing Snippets

– Skiing in Scotland: the videos
– Look Who We Bumped Into
– CEO of Aspen Skiing Company Steps Down
– Ukranians Take Refuge in the Mountains …LIVE & UPDATED

PlanetSKI: The Dave Ryding Interview

The GB slalom skier has been speaking to us about his latest podium success, when he may retire and the state of GB alpine skiing. We will be posting the full video later in the week, but we can’t wait to tell you that Dave will very likely be racing again next season.

April Skiing in Isère

There is little better than late spring skiing, in our humble opinion.  The days are long, the lifts are open late and the sun is strong.  And in the French ski region Isère big dumps of snow in April are pretty common too. 

Aosta: Is it the Best Mountain Base in the Alps?

It’s an historic Roman city with a ski lift direct to the resort of Pila and a variety of fabulous resorts on its doorstep. PlanetSKI has been based there for 6-weeks this winter. Check out our full & updated feature article.

PlanetSKI Takes on The Legendary 8

It’s a new route through the Dolomitisuperski area in Italy in the Val Gardena section. We’ve skied the area’s Sella Ronda many a time, but not the ‘Legendary 8’. Time to put that right and assess its legendary credentials.

Luxury Ski Treats Without Breaking the Bank

After two pandemic-affected years many of us are prepared to stretch the budget to treat ourselves or someone else to something special on our ski trip. But luxury doesn’t always have to mean 5-star prices.  Here’s our choice of treats in the Austrian Tirol.

Eat, Drink, Ski for Less in Aosta

If there is a better ski region for fabulous food and drink at low prices, we have yet to find it.   Welcome to the Valle d’Aosta in the Italian Alps.

Skiing, How I’ve Missed You

PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter, Jane Peel, had not set foot on snow in more than two years following a knee injury and Covid disruption. She’s just put that right.

7 Days in Les Menuires

It is one of the best locations to access the mighty 3 Valleys ski area and comes in at good value too. We look at the area, day by day, as our reporter hit the slopes earlier this winter for the first time since Covid-19 struck.

Verbier: ‘Just For One Day’

It is an absolute favourite resort of ours at PlanetSKI and is just over an hour’s drive from our current winter base in Aosta, Italy.  Perfect for a day trip.

Snow Camp: A Life Changed

‘Snow Camp charity changed the course of my life’.  The words of a Elisha Davenport, a young woman who would never have had the chance to experience snowsports without Snow Camp. PlanetSKI met up with her at the charity’s main fundraising event out in the mountains. 

A Week in Les Menuires: Day 6.

It is one of the best locations to access the mighty 3 Valleys ski area and comes in at good value too. We look at the area, day by day, as our reporter hit the slopes earlier this winter for the first time since Covid-19 struck. See here for the latest from Day Six. UPDATED

PlanetSKI Explores Passo Tonale

It’s an Italian resort perhaps not so well-known with UK skiers. Which is why PlanetSKI’s Ian Davis visited Passo Tonale with Crystal Ski Holidays. He also dropped in to the neighbouring resort of Madonna di Campiglio. UPDATED

Award for Inspirational Adventurer

Karen Darke, a Paralympic Champion who has completed gruelling challenges on skis and bikes, despite being paralysed from the chest down, has received the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

February’s Skiing Snippets…

– Bulgaria to Ease Covid-19 Restrictions
– PlanetSKI Reports from the Ski Resort of Lofer
– Planning a Ski Trip to Canada Before Winter Ends?
– GB Ski Cross Athlete is Esprit Brand Ambassador.. LIVE & UPDATED

Skiing Thriller Set in Norway’s Lyngen Alps

Imagine having to ski for your life for days and nights in a snowstorm with little rest or food.  The danger of crevasses, avalanches and frostbite outweighed by the risk that a couple of ruthless killers might catch up with you. Book reviews aren’t generally our thing at PlanetSKI but we’re making an exception for this one.

Spring Skiing in the Austrian Tirol

Who doesn’t love spring skiing? The days are longer, the pistes are quieter, there’s often fabulous late season snow and lots of fun events to enjoy. But it’s important to pick your resorts carefully. We look at good bets for spring skiing in the Austrian Tirol.

The Dave Ryding Story

He’s only gone and done it. The man known as The Rocket has hit the stratosphere with GB’s first Alpine World Cup victory. PlanetSKI has followed his career and reports on how it all began.

100 Years of Slalom Racing

The centenary is being marked in Mürren. The Swiss resort was the venue for the first slalom race, held on 21st January 1922.

PlanetSKI is Back on Snow

We are in one of our favourite alpine bases, Aosta in Italy, until the end of February. We are finally back on snow and report on what it is like in these Covid-19 times. It followed a somewhat traumatic experience even to get here.

50 Years of Skiing at Cumbria Dry Slope

It’s a very special golden anniversary this winter for the Carlisle Snowsports Club and its dry slope on the England-Scotland border.

Snow report

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