Vertical Drop Issue 4 - September 2012

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THE SUMMER

ADVENTURE MAG

PUBLISHED BY

FREE

PATRICK THORNE REPORTS ON

25 YEARS OF THE WORLD'S MOST

ICONIC EXTREME SPORT 05

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ISSUE 4 | SEPT 2012

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Publisher

DOMINIC [email protected]

Editor

PATRICK [email protected]

Design ByROCKET BASEwww.rocketbase.co.uk

News Editor

BEN [email protected]

Gear Up Supplied By

VARIOUS BRANDS

Reporters / Contributors

OLIVIA PARRY-JONESJON WESTSALLY BROOKESDEBBIE GABRIEL

Photography

See individual images for specific credits. Any uncredited images supplied by third party suppliers, agencies and/or advertisers

Published By

www.inthesnow.com

© COPYRIGHT 2012

No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

t hasn’t been much of a summer of course, but the coming autumn offers more chances to experience the remaining bike,

white water and running events on the 2012 calendar, and the growing excitement of the return of the ski season.

In fact, snow sports are, like most outdoor pursuits, possible year-round – whether you opt for one of the UK’s six indoor snow centres or head abroad to a year-round summer glacier area like Hintertux or Zermatt, or possibly go even further afield to the southern hemisphere where winter 2012 is currently in full swing.

And so it’s hard to say when one ski season ends and the next begins; but, perhaps, September is the time as that’s when the earliest openings of resorts in the Alps for winter 2012–13 will begin, probably with the Pitztal glacier, Austria’s highest, opening first, in the middle of the month.

To add to the confusion, the new £50m Emirates Air Line gondola has opened in London. Although most of us associate gondolas with skiing and boarding, this lift just goes across the Thames. Despite this, it didn’t stop staff from specialist travel agency Ski Solutions donning full ski kit and riding the gondola to access a designated après-ski bar; and the indoor Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead is offering a free drink and discounted snow sports right now for anyone who turns up with an Emirates Air Line gondola ticket.

September also sees the first edition of our sister magazine InTheSnow hitting the streets, so that also gets us fully in the mood.

Notwithstanding all this excitement for the coming snow season, we shouldn’t wish away summer, lacklustre as it has been in terms of the weather in the UK at least, as we’re still relaying news this issue of some of the big action sports events still to come this year and, indeed, some to plan ahead for in 2013.

And, if you really can’t wait to go skiing or snowboarding, check out our final summer snow report of 2012 to find out where conditions are looking best for the next 4 weeks.

[email protected]

ungee jumping, the world’s

most iconic extreme sport, is

25 years old.

The world’s first commercial

bungee operation began in New Zealand

in 1988 – after several years of headline

grabbing jumps around the world by

pioneer A J Hackett, including one from

the Eiffel Tower in June 1987 for which he

was briefly arrested.

Back then the name bungee didn’t exist

for the activity, but ”bungy cord” was already

a slang word used in New Zealand for

those elasticated cords with hooks on each

end used for securing objects. So when

Hackett popularised jumping attached to an

elasticated cord, he used the name “bungy”

to describe the activity and the name stuck,

although more commonly spelt “bungee” in

the northern hemisphere.

Hackett has been the main name in

bungee ever since, but there are two earlier

variants of the daredevil activity – and a

strong British interest in the roots of bungee.

In the preceding decade members of the

Oxford University Dangerous Sports club

had made the first jump attached to an

elasticated cord on April Fool’s Day 1979,

from the clifton Suspension Bridge in

Bristol. Despite subsequent arrests they

continued with jumps from the Golden Gate

and Royal Gorge bridges.

Even before them in the 1950s, David

Attenborough filmed "land divers" in

vanuatu jumping from towers

attached to vines.

It was when Hackett saw videos

of the Dangerous Sports club’s

antics that he decided to try the

activity, a decision that led to

the development of commercial

bungee jumping for all.

Hackett and fellow speed

skier partner Henry van Asch

worked on developing the safest

possible materials for their

proposed bungee business, and

French ski resort Tignes was

chosen for test jumps from a

gondola cabin 91m up.

The duo were then given a licence to

operate the world's first commercial bungee

operation in 1988 in New Zealand and at the

time many assumed that bungee jumping

was a tourist fad, and in the first few months

only 28 people leapt off a 43m bridge with a

bungee cord attached to their ankles.

Since then 2m people worldwide have

enjoyed the adrenaline rush of a bungee

jump– with a reported 99% enjoyment rate

and many people saying it’s the biggest thrill

they’ve ever had. Hackett operates sites in

New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Macau, Russia,

Germany and France (www.bungy.co.nz).

The UK Bungee club (UKBc) (www.ukbun-

gee.co.uk) has been one of the leading play-

ers since 1993, operating the UK’s only bridge

bungee jump, as well as the UK’s only indoor

jump at the Magna centre near Sheffield.

In the 1990s the UKBc’s 91m tower crane at

chelsea Bridge in Battersea was a permanent

feature for bungee over the Thames.

Over the years many variations on bungee

have developed. The giant bungee swings

operated by Hackett in New Zealand are

particularly popular, and some big tower

jumps have fixed guide ropes to stop

jumpers risking collision with the building

during the bounce.

On a smaller scale there are bungee

trampolines, catapults, and running and

jumping with bungee ropes attached.

The next 25 years look set to see bungee

go from strength to strength. Although

increasingly popular space travel seems

unlikely to help, due to the lack of gravity,

the construction of ever higher buildings

may increase the chances of more bungee

records being set, with the world’s highest

at 838m, 10m higher than Dubai’s Burj,

planned for china.

BRILLIANT BUNGEE TURNS 25

PATRICK THORNE

05

220M Highest freefall bungee without guide rope, verzasca Dam

233M Highest bungee with guide rope, Macau Tower

321M Highest bungee jump from a fixed object, Royal Gorge, colorado

962M Highest recorded bungee jump (from helicopter)

1979 First modern-era bungee jump

1988 First commercial bungee jump

2M Estimated bungee jumps since 1987

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VAIL, COLORADOVail Mountain in Colorado, the largest ski resort in the US, and celebrating its 50th anniversary in December, has announced the installation of a new state-of-the art gondola to replace the Vista Bahn Express lift in Vail Village. The new gondola will be in the same location as the existing lift, a high-speed quad that was installed in 1985, and will reach the same location at Mid-Vail. The new gondola will be the first and fastest of its kind in North America, increasing uphill capacity by 40%. The ten-passenger gondola cabins will provide a cosy 7.5 minute ride for skiers and snowboarders, with heated, cushioned seats and Wi-Fi access.

REIT IM WINKLThe German resort is replacing an old T-bar lift with a new detachable six-seater chairlift, complete with a double safety bar (which once closed will be locked until arrival), heated seats, and a pull-down weather protection hood. The resort says it will be the most advanced design so far installed in the country. Loading will be efficient and safe using a conveyor belt.

JUNGFRAU REGIONFor the forthcoming season the Wiki chairlift in the Jungfrau region is to be replaced with a high-speed six-seater chairlift. The original lift, installed in 1965 and updated in 1992, still operates using many of the parts from the 1960s, and the operating licence for the lift expired at the end of last season. The new lift will increase passenger uplift from 1200 people per hour to 1800, and will also feature yellow weather protection hoods. In order to accommodate the higher passenger numbers, the bridge over the Wengernalp railway will be replaced by a new 20m-wide, 35m-long bridge.

MT BULLERThe only new lift to open in Australia this year is the Bonza quad at Mt Buller, which opened at the beginning of the southern hemisphere winter. The AUD$3.1m lift is a fixed-grip quad, and opens access to the area between the Burnt Hut Spur and the summit.

Got a story? Know of a new lift coming soon to a resort where you ski? Drop me an email at [email protected].

ollowing the report in our

last issue of the Tirol cycle

Team’s plans to ride 1300km

from Innsbruck (which

hosted its third winter Olympics, the

Youth Winter Olympics, earlier this year)

across Europe to London, raising money

for British charity Disability Snowsport

UK (DSUK) along the way, we’re pleased

to report the team reached London just in

time for the start of the 2012 Games, and

raised over £15,000 for their efforts.

The 20-strong team began their journey

beneath the Olympic rings at Innsbruck’s

Bergisel stadium, and all agreed that the

highlight of the journey was to cross

Tower Bridge under the Olympic rings

the day before the opening ceremony.

“Throughout the journey we received

overwhelming support and hospitality

with people coming out to cheer us on

our way. But we received the loudest

cheers from the Brits, who gave us a real

sporting welcome that might also have

something to do with the record-breaking

victory in the Tour de France!” said Josef

Margreiter, cEO of Tirol Tourist Board.

The Tirol cycle Team included Stephan

Eberharter (former Austrian ski racer,

Olympic gold medal winner and three

times World champion), David Kreiner

(Olympic gold medal winner in the 2010

vancouver Games), and Leonhard Stock

(former skier and Olympic gold medal

winner).

TYROL TEAM cOMPLETE RIDE TO LONDON 2012

PATRICK THORNE

06

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Kayak Your Way Around venice

f you fancy seeing the sights in venice from the water, but

not in a gondola or water taxi, then why not paddle your way

around the historic city in a kayak? This summer, venice’s

most exclusive hotel, The cipriani (www.hotelcipriani.com),

launched kayak half- or full-day tours, depending on your ability. The

tours take in the historic islands of Murano (famous for its glass-making

operations), Burano and Torcello, as well as winding their way around the

city’s interior canals. The tours start from €140pp for a half-day tour and

run all summer. children under the age of 14 years pay half price. For those

looking to watch the sunset over the city, then an evening dusk tour (5–

9pm) costs €240pp. Next summer the hotel hopes to launch further water-

based activities for clients of the hotel.

I

The North Face has launched a selection of high

performing jackets for Fall/Winter 2012 offering

innovative technical features. The company’s

new Jammu jacket is made with the first truly

breathable, fully waterproof, temperature-

regulating fabric NeoShell from Polartec. It

delivers warmth without weight, and high

”breathability” with its two-way air exchange

system, as well as being 99.9% wind resistant.

Designed for active use in harsh conditions,

the particular Polartec NeoShell fabric used has

a brushed fleece back, which provides thermal

insulation, and allows users to take just one

garment for cool weather. The jacket weighs in at

678g and costs £400.

North Face Range Features NeoShell

SEPTEMBER 2012

07

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The SPARK 20 features 120mm travel and a TwinLoc controlled DT Swiss Nude 2 Shock, allowing you to choose between full travel, traction mode, or full lockout, front and rear all via handlebar-mounted switch. A Spark is the perfect partner for marathons, stage races, and truly bridges the gap between XC Race and Trail. Light One Up and Burn it.

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© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2011 | PHOTO: FRED LEISER© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2011 | PHOTO: FRED LEISER

ischo Erban, 28, has broken

the Guinness World Record,

achieving the fastest

skateboard speed from a

standing position.

Erban was wearing a custom-made

heads-up display (HUD) helmet, which

provided real-time readings of his speed,

distance, time, navigation and more,

during his record-breaking attempt.

Erban reached a speed of 129.94km/h,

shattering the previous Guinness World

Record of 113km/h achieved by Douglas

da Silva (Brazil), at Teutonia, Rio Grande

do Sul, Brazil, on 20 October 2007.

The groundbreaking prototype HUD used

for the record was custom built by Recon

Instruments, and featured an innovative

gooseneck design, which provided

maximum flexibility to set the display in the

most unobtrusive, optimum position, just

above or below Erban’s eye level.

Picking up the sport in 2003, Erban has

since raced all around the world and has

always strived to push the boundaries of

just how fast he can go. On breaking the

World Record Erban stated “Getting the

official Guinness World Record is huge. It’s

the culmination of 2 years hard work and

planning, and I’m totally stoked.”

BEN CLATWORTHY

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WORLD'S FASTEST LONGBOARDER

hile most of us were studying

the medal table at the

Olympics, a company called

starcount.com was tracking

the social media success of the athletes, as

revealed through 1.5bn consumers' likes

and responses on social media.

With 48 hours to go before the end of

the Games earlier this month, starcount

thought Michael Phelps would top their

table with 840k new Facebook fans and

1m Twitter followers during the Olympic

fortnight. However, surging past Michael

Phelps and claiming silver for London 2012

came Usain Bolt who saw 1m new Facebook

fans and 960k Twitter followers, earning

a late boost to his social media campaign

after his gold and new world record in the

men’s 100m relay on the Friday.

And yet, Team GB pulled out a late

winner, with British diver Tom Daley

adding 820k Facebook fans and 1.2m

Twitter followers to become one of the

most talked about athletes on social media.

W

Daley Tops Olympic Social Media Success League

SEPTEMBER 2012

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ITALYSelf Guided cycle Tour

Cycling holidays are proving very popular since our Olympic cycling success. An ideal cycling holiday for those who want to stay at the same hotel. Be inspired by the picturesque surroundings and cultural heritage of the Lake Garda region.

• 7 Night Holiday

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HELLY HANSEN CATWALK

HellyHansen_VerticalDrop.indd 1 17.04.12 08.17

ot on the heels of the

incredible success

for Team GB’s

cycling superstars,

and accompanied by double-

gold-medal-winning cyclist

Laura Trott, the Mayor of London

has confirmed plans for the

capital to host a 2 day world-class

festival of cycling next year –

RideLondon.

The weekend festival, from

3–4 August 2013, will feature a

series of events for amateur, club

and world elite cyclists, and is

expected to attract over 200,000

visitors from outside the capital.

Online registration for the event is

already open for cyclists to register

their interest in RideLondon (www.

RideLondon.co.uk), which will open

with Freecycle, a fun ride for up to

70,000 cyclists on an 8-mile loop

of closed roads around London’s

iconic landmarks. The following

day a 100-mile road ride for up to

20,000 amateur, club and world-

class elite cyclists will take place,

which will begin in the Queen

Elizabeth Olympic Park and will be

based on much of the route of the

2012 Games cycle road race.

“This year London has been

the place to be and yet again

this amazing city has proved its

expertise in hosting major world

class sporting and cultural events.

Our challenge is to ensure that

2012 is just the start, not the end

of the benefits of hosting the

Games” said the Mayor of London,

Boris Johnson.

RiDE LONDON TO BE OLympic LEGAcy

BEN CLATWORTHY

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cairngorm Mountain in the Scottish

Highlands has for the first time started offering

mountain biking from the funicular. The bike

rides takes the form of a guided group tour,

with a descent of almost 914m that goes all

the way from the Ptarmigan top station down

to Rothiemurchus and lasts about 3½ hours.

Bikes are provided, but participants need to

have some mountain biking experience on

steep and varied terrain (min. age 12 years, min.

height 1.5m).

The descent provides one of the best

opportunities to view habitat change.

Starting in the high montane zone, with its

vistas towards the west and Ben Nevis, then

continuing down to the ancient Scots pine

forest, before passing lochs through Glenmore

Forest and down to the River Spey.

Biking On cairngorm

Autumn Skiing In Tignesignes is the only French ski area open for the first few months of autumn until late

November, and the Snoworks team (www.snoworks.co.uk/iski) is offering special

training weeks to help you get in shape before the main season kicks off.

The Snoworks instructors, who include former England ski squad national

coach Mike Barker and four-time Olympic skier Emma carrick-Anderson, focus on

providing two key programmes in race carving or all terrain skiing.

The all-terrain course is a ”go everywhere” week and will suit any skier that has ”go

everywhere” aspirations. courses start on 20 October 2012 and continue through the winter.

Race carve is all about getting your skis to perform at the highest level, so you can

enjoy the mountain with more confidence and control. With a combination of skills

development on piste, and coaching in and around a giant slalom course, the race

carve week will take your skiing to a higher level. courses take place 3 November and 10

November, and autumn course fees are £300pp, with flight and accommodation packages

available at additional cost.

T

Brit Rider Wins CrankworxBritish mountain biker Bernard Kerr was crowned the first King of Crankworx Les Deux Alpes last month after solid performances in all events during the week-long competition. It was the first time the French resort has hosted a leg of the competition. The resort also hosted the now infamous Mountain of Hell race, which starts at 3400m on the glacier. The fastest man was France’s Jerome Clementz, completing the course in just 32 minutes.

RunLiverpool Expects 10,000The RunLiverpool Marathon (www.runliverpool.org.uk), now in its second year, expects more than 10,000 people to take to the streets of Liverpool to “run the city” on the 14 October.To help secure the event’s future, global sportswear brand Helly Hansen has announced a 2-year deal as the event’s official ”On Body Sponsor”, teaming up with Been2 sports management to produce an official merchandising range, consisting of performance jackets, fleeces and polos via www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk.

European Flow Tour Hits Cornwall

The third annual European Flow Tour was held at Retallack Resort and Spa in Cornwall this summer (www.retallackresort.co.uk). There were spectacular stunts and jaw-dropping extreme sports action at the event, which saw some of Europe’s top Flowboarders vying for a spot in the European finals. On the day, the open winner was Adam May and the women’s finalists were Meelie Barrett, Sophie Collins and Kerry Lee Campbell.

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he unique

fundraising event,

the Snow-camp

Rally (snow-camp.

org.uk/rally) returns this autumn

(7 November). Once again, teams

of skiers and snowboarders

are given the opportunity to

complete an epic road trip, either

skiing or boarding at each of

the five UK indoor snow centres

in just 12 hours. Snow-camp

has recently hit the headlines

for their work with inner-city

children and teenagers, which

included taking a group to the

Alps to complete a BASI Level

1 Instructor course. Talking to

vertical Drop about the rally,

Snow-camp Director Dan

charlish said “We are delighted

to have got all 5 indoor snow

centres behind the event. It is

such a great statement of their

support for Snow-camp and

without this there is no way the

Rally could ever happen.”

The Rally is open to any keen

skiers or snowboarders, and

teams (which are made up of

four people) can be complete

a mixture of both disciplines.

Registration is £10pp, and the

fundraising target for each team

is £1000, or £250pp. During the

course of the day participants

will visit Sno!zone in Milton

Keynes and castleford; chill

Factore in Manchester; Tamworth

Snowdome, and finally The Snow

centre, Hemel Hempstead.

charlish commented “to be able

to ride all these slopes for free in

one epic day is going to be an

event to remember – great fun, a

fantastic experience and hopefully

hugely positive for Snow-camp’s

work with young people.”

To sign up to the Snow-camp

Rally visit snow-camp.org.uk/rally.

SNOW-cAMP RALLY RETURNSBEN CLATWORTHY

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Skiers Ride London Gondola in Full Kit

he staff at specialist ski and board holiday travel company Ski Solutions

always have their minds on skiing and winter – even in the middle of

summer, so it came as no surprise when one of their ski holiday experts,

Digby Rawlins, announced that he had organised a group of skiers to ride the

new Emirates Air Line in London.

With over 5 months to go to the winter season, and despite a serious lack of snow, Rawlins

decided that the opening of London’s latest landmark – or rather “air”mark – was the perfect

opportunity to get back into the skiing spirit. His proposal was simple, grab your friends and

your ski gear and teach Londoners how to ride a gondola in real skier style.

At 3pm one summer’s afternoon, Rawlins and his crew stepped on-board the Emirates Air

Line at the Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and embarked on the journey across the Thames.

Wearing ski jackets, pants, goggles, hats and boots, the city skiers took in the sights of London,

including canary Wharf, the city and the Olympic stadium.

Speaking on the gondola, Rawlins commented “There is only one way to ride a gondola! I

have spent countless hours staring out of gondola windows at mountain peaks in my ski gear

and don’t see why London should be any different? Except the view.”

T

Polar adventure company Quark Expeditions, the

leader in its field, has successfully completed the

first-ever passenger hot air balloon adventure on

an expedition to the North Pole.

“More than 50 guests aboard 50 Years of victory

participated in Quark’s first-ever hot air balloon

ride on its North Pole voyage” said Hans Lagerweij,

President of Quark Expeditions.

Quark Expeditions (www.quarkexpeditions.

com) will continue to offer its unique ballooning

feature on future North Pole voyages, and has

confirmed dates for the next four Arctic seasons

in June and July from 2013–16. Prices start

from £14,190 for a 14 day/13 night trip, with

twin occupancy, including a night in Helsinki,

transfers, group helicopter trips, three meals a

day, shore landings and on-board lectures.

First Hot Air Balloon Ride at The North Pole

Michael Fish BASE Jumps Iconic TV Weatherman Michael Fish MBE teamed up with Rapanui Clothing and completed a BASE jump to raise awareness of climate change. The 68 year old made the freefall jump, landing by parachute, after training with experienced urban BASE jumpers.“Raising awareness of climate change is really important, because there is no doubt whatsoever that if we carry on the way we are, there will be shortages of food and water, towns and cities will be flooded, there’s all sorts of chaos that could arise,” said Mr Fish.

Snow+Rock See Olympic BoomThe leading outdoors sports chain has reported record turnover for their Cycle Surgery and Runners Need stores thanks to the Olympics, and very strong trading for Snow+Rock's outdoor category. "Judging by sales of bike and running shoes the Olympics has inspired many people to be more active. The sporting feel good factor from Team GB's outstanding performance has inspired us all. Let's hope it lasts!" said Snow+Rock's PR Manager Claire Collins.

Experience A New Via FerrataFollowing in the footsteps of the Alpini (the elite Italian Army mountain troop), you can experience a new via ferrata in Cortina every day of the week. These spectacular “iron path” routes, created by the troop during the First World War, afford a truly unique alpine experience, combining mountaineering and history. You can also arrange to have your mountain bike waiting for you at the top.

SEPTEMBER 2012

SUUNTO AMBITYou could call it a watch, but that hardly seems fair.Altitude, navigation, speed, heart rate, weather conditions – it’s all at your fingertips. Personalize your device, selecting just what you need to get the most out of your next adventure. The new Suunto AMBIT – conquering new territory with the world’s first GPS for Explorers.

Fulfill your Ambition at www.suunto.com

THE GPS FOR EXPLORERS._Manual and autolaps_Heart rate graph in real time _Heart rate limits _Heart rate zones in Movescount.com_Peak Training Effect & Recovery Time

_Highly responsive pace / speed (FusedSpeedTM) and distance from accelerometer integrated GPS_Chronograph_Track logging and analysis in Movescount.com_Full-featured GPS (SiRFIV chip)

_3D Compass _Barometric altitude _Temperature _Robust BuiltToLast casing_Water resistant to 100 m (ISO 2281)_Upgradeable with new functionalities

through Movescount.com_Waypoint –navigation with GPS _Made in Finland _Rechargeable lithium-ion battery _Waypoint creation and storing in watch and in Movescount.com_Mineral crystal lens

_Location in multiple coordinate systems_Positive / negative display switch _User adjustable backlight_Watch settings in Movescount.com

With the slide of the Instant On-Record Switch , the new ContourROAM is on and is immediately recording all your dirt jumping, corner roosting, and North Shore ripping antics in electrifying 1080p HD. It’s sleek, waterproof, impact resistant,

and mounts pretty much anywhere so you can capture everything that goes down from the road to the trail. IT’S ON

To become a UK retailer visit Ultrasporteu.com

t just 20-years-old, climber Ed Farrelly is attempting to become the youngest Briton to summit Khan

Tengri (7010m) in Eastern Kyrgyzstan, critically described as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world,

and roughly comparable to Ama Dablam (Nepal) in terms of height and technicality but more remote.

“Khan Tengri really is a tough mountain, the route is very susceptible to avalanches, weather is very

changeable and it is technically difficult by big mountain standards” said a statement from Farrelly’s sponsor, eyewear

manufacturer Bollé.

“It is very important that Ed wears the right eyewear whilst climbing; he wears the Bollé Diablo sunglasses (RRP £108)

with category 3 lenses to protect him from the increased light intensity experienced at high altitude. The lenses also

feature an anti fog coating allowing optimum vision even during the most challenging of activities.”

20-Year-Old Aims To Be Youngest To Summit 7000m Peak

Adventure Film Festival, St AntonThe 18th Adventure Film Festival takes place in St Anton, Austria, from 28 August–1 September.The festival showcases the best adventure and action sports films from around the world, including climbing epics from the most remote mountain regions on Earth and a journey through the world of mountaineering. Genres featured include freeriding, climbing, bouldering, extreme skiing and expeditions. The movie nights take place in the St Anton am Arlberg Wellness and Leisure Centre (www.arlberg-well.com)

A New Skate Park For ChamonixA first-class skate park has opened in Chamonix. The new park, located in the Bois du Bouchet, adjacent to the paragliding landing field, was officially opened in the presence of Eric Fournier, Mayor of Chamonix.To celebrate the occasion, French skateboarding champion Marc Haziza and his team gave impressive demonstrations, alongside live music, DJs and a BBQ. The park is now the new place to “hang out“ or even ”drop in“ in Cham!

Brit Wins Bronze At Wildwater British athlete Radka Felingerova won bronze in the Classic single canoe race at the Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in La Plagne, France, this summer, with a time of 17:24.92 (www.laplagnecanoe2012.com).Since its first edition in 1959, the Wildwater Canoeing World Championships has been held every other year, and each event draws bigger and more passionate crowds. The competition attracted 200 athletes representing 28 nations.

014

A

SEPTEMBER 2012

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Chamonix Valley MegeveLes Contamines

St. GervaisLa Clusaz

Avoriaz

Morzine

Les Gets

FlaineLes Carroz Samoëns

Morillon CourchevelMeribel

Les Menuires

Val Thorens

La Tania Brides-les-Bains

Champagny en Vanoise

Val d'IsèreTignes St. FoyLa Rosière

Les Arcs

Alpe d'Huez

Les Deux Alpes

VerbierZermatt

Saas FeeNendaz

Crans Montana

GstaadChamonix Valley MegeveLes Contamines

St. GervaisLa Clusaz

Avoriaz

Morzine

Les Gets

FlaineLes Carroz Samoëns

Morillon CourchevelMeribel

Les Menuires

Val Thorens

La Tania Brides-les-Bains

Champagny en Vanoise

Val d'IsèreTignes St. FoyLa Rosière

Les Arcs

La Plagne

Alpe d'Huez

Les Deux Alpes

VerbierZermatt

Saas FeeNendaz

Crans Montana

Gstaad

Chamonix Valley MegeveLes Contamines

St. GervaisLa Clusaz

Avoriaz

Morzine

Les Gets

FlaineLes Carroz Samoëns

Morillon CourchevelMeribel

Les Menuires

Val Thorens

La Tania Brides-les-Bains

Champagny en Vanoise

Val d'IsèreTignes St. FoyLa Rosière

Les Arcs

La Plagne

Alpe d'Huez

Les Deux Alpes

VerbierZermatt

Saas FeeNendaz

Crans Montana

Gstaad

Chamonix Valley Megeve

Les ContaminesSt. Gervais

St. Gervais

La Clusaz

Avoriaz

Avoriaz

Morzine

Les Gets

FlaineLes Carroz Samoëns

Morillon

Morillon

CourchevelMeribel

Les Menuires

Val Thorens

La Tania

La Tania

Brides-les-Bains

Champagny en Vanoise

Val d'Isère

Tignes St. FoyLa Rosière

Les Arcs

La Plagne

La Plagne

Alpe d'Huez

Les Deux Alpes

VerbierZermatt

Saas FeeNendaz

Crans Montana

Gstaad

Chamonix Valley

Chamonix Valley

Megeve

Megeve

Les ContaminesSt. GervaisLa Clusaz

Avoriaz

Morzine

Les Gets

FlaineLes Carroz Samoëns

Morillon CourchevelMeribel

Les Menuires

Val Thorens

La Tania Brides-les-BainsVal d'Isère

Val d'Isère

Tignes St. FoyLa Rosière

Les Arcs

La Plagne

Alpe d'Huez

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015

ritons have caught the bike

bug after stunning success

in the Tour de France and the

Olympics.

A new survey has revealed that over four

out of ten (43%) said they had been inspired

by the success of Bradley Wiggins, Mark

cavendish, and other British riders, to

get on a bike, and cycle shops have seen

a huge surge in interest from customers

purchasing top-end bikes and race models.

Research carried out for Halfords found

that almost two out of three people (64%)

were following cycling on Tv, while a

quarter (24%) said they were thinking of

upgrading either their own old model or

that of a family member.

customers are either trading up for a new

top-of-the-range bike, or are returning to

cycling and deciding to buy a road bike.

And it’s not just men who are buying; sales

of women’s bikes are also up, with victoria

Pendleton’s range of more traditional

looking models, seeing a rise of over 70% in

August compared with July.

"There has definitely been a Tour

de France and Olympics bounce and

cycling is the sport everyone is talking

about” said Paul Mcclenaghan, Halfords

commercial Director.

BEN CLATWORTHY

B

OLympic SuccESS iNSpiRES cycLiSTS

British product design

company has been working

with Swiss climbing

equipment specialist

Tricouni to develop a new gripping

device for climbers. canard Design (www.

canard-design.co.uk) has spent 6 months

developing a new design for crampons.

Named the Tricouni Gripping System

or TRIGS, the latest technology has been

used to create lightweight equipment. The

detail in the plastic components allows

flexibility and different types of spike to be

used depending on the terrain. The TRIGS

can be worn with walking boots or shoes

for use in snowy and icy conditions. The

TRIGS is currently undergoing field testing,

with a view to go to market this winter.

“It’s been a great opportunity working

with an iconic mountaineering brand

to help develop a fantastic piece of

equipment” said Simon Hobbs, Managing

Director of canard Design, which is

based in Leicestershire.

A

New climbing Kit From Anglo Swiss Design Teams

SEPTEMBER 2012

a unique guide to ski hotels and chalets from all over the world.

Order your free copy now atwww.SkiAccommodationGuide.com

open my eyes and all I can

see is dust: I thought I’d been

doing rather well, but the

next second I’m over, my

mountain bike in a pile just below where I

now find myself sitting.

I had (before my fall) been hurtling down

one of the many single-track mountain

bike routes in the Italian resort of Pila (pila.

it), a popular ski area in winter and, once

the snow has melted, an increasingly

vibrant summer destination.

You’d think I’d be in pain, but dressed

like a Transformer in head-to-toe

protection, including a full face helmet,

I’m fine, and in fact, despite feeling a little

shaken, raring to get back on the saddle.

Showing me the way is Fabrizio charruaz,

a mountain bike guide who’s been ripping

his way around the area for virtually all of

his life. “It’s a big biking area for a small

resort, and there is terrain to suit everyone

from a virtual beginner, to a pro rider.” It’s

true; the week before my visit, Pila hosted

Europe’s premier mountain biking series

the iXS European Downhill cup. For those

who like facts and figures, Pila’s 15km trail

from the top of the couis peak, to the town

of Aosta on the valley floor, is (Fabrizio tells

me) the biggest single track vertical drop in

Europe, with a descent of 1200m.

Mountain biking has long been a

favourite summer pastime in the Alps,

and popularity amongst British tourists

has soared in the past decade, with many

resorts offering discounted passes for those

wishing to use the ski lifts for biking.

“The scenery in the Aosta valley is

wonderful” charruaz tells me as I stop to

take a photo of yet another breathtaking

view. He is right; you look left and there is

Mont Blanc, snow-capped and glistening

in the sun, and then you look to the right

and towering above is the Matterhorn. In

fact, Pila is shadowed by so many of the

”four-thousanders” it becomes difficult to

count them all.

Stopping for lunch at La châtelaine is a

welcome breather from all the exercise. The

restaurant is a traditional mountain hut,

and serves local specialities. I eat with the

owner, Damiano Lugon, a gold medallist

at the Luge World championships in

1979, and discuss how summer tourism is

becoming ever more popular in the Alps.

“Everyone knows when there is snow you

can ski here. What they don’t all know yet is

that the summer brings a whole new raft of

exciting activities” he tells me as we sample

the local cheese, Fontina, and Mocetta (air-

cured goat ham). In fact, during the course

of lunch we sample virtually the whole

menu, including polenta (ground maize),

brossa (a kind of cream) and goulash. He’s

fascinating to talk to, as is his wife, and

their hospitality is second to none. Before

I leave, Lugon reaffirms one of the reasons

I love spending summers in the Alps, “it’s

so tranquil, in the winter people want to eat

lunch in 15 minutes, in the summer they

spend 3 hours here.”

Later, (and thanks to some Dutch

courage, courtesy of an Aostan spirit I’m

raring to go) charruaz takes me to see the

downhill World cup track.

“can we have a go?” I ask with schoolboy

excitement. The look on his face gave me

the answer – no. Arriving near the trail we

dismounted our bikes and hiked to where

the course had gone. Below me was a sheer

cliff, then a banked turn before yet another

drop. “The competitors flew 7m here”

explained charruaz, “then they had to brake

before the next jump or they’d hit the trees.”

Just the thought of their ability makes

me feel rather pedestrian when it comes to

biking. But that’s what’s so fantastic about

mountain biking, whatever

your ability you can get the

buzz, feel the adrenaline, and

breath the mountain air. It’s a

sentiment shared by a young

British couple I meet on the

mountain, who tell me their

abilities differ dramatically but

they’re both having a great

time.

Returning to the 3Hotel La

chance (www.hotellachancepila.

it) at the end of the day was

a welcome antidote to the challenging

descents of the day. conveniently located a

few minutes walk from the chairlift, the hotel

opened 3 years ago, having been converted

from an old farm barn. The main attraction

at the end of a long day on the saddle wasn’t

a trip to the (very stylish) hotel bar, but a

trip to the ultra-modern spa. complete

with a sauna (with a window overlooking

Mont Blanc), a steam room and whirlpool,

I couldn’t have thought of a better way to

rejuvenate my tired muscles.

As I sat in the hotel garden on my last

night watching the sun set over the peaks,

I thought to myself, even after countless

summers whizzing around the Alps on

my bike, I’d never before visited such a

small resort with so much to offer. I just

wish I was there now.

016

I

BEN CLATWORTHY

Aosta Valley: www.aosta-valley.co.ukPila: www.pila.itHotel La Chance: www.hotellachancepila.it

et’s be honest; summer

holidays can be a nightmare

for families, especially for

those with young children, and

beach holidays certainly aren’t the answer to

everything. So heading away to chamonix

this summer in a group of six adults and five

children (all under 3 years) was never going

to be an easy one. Plus, in a slightly selfish

way, we didn’t want the holiday to be all

about the kids, we needed time to recuperate

and benefit from the break.

Our first stop, chalet Bibendum

(chaletBibendum.com) was perfect for

the mix of the group. It’s traditional and

comfortable, yet feels high class, which

meant both the adults and children felt right

at home. Once the children were tucked up

for the night, the adults could relax in the hot

tub, heated by logs overlooking Mont Blanc.

Our group was self-catered, but still the chalet

owners brought us fresh bread and croissants

every morning; their hospitality was first class

matching the accommodation, views and

furnishings, and made me think we should

have gone catered!

visiting a ski resort in the summer,

especially one with the kudos of chamonix in

the winter, can be a daunting prospect, ”will

there be enough to do”, ”will the children be

happy”, were all questions spinning through

my head when packing. I couldn’t have

been more wrong. chamonix was buzzing,

the high street a hive of activity, and the

activities great fun for all. We split up, with

the guys heading off for a day of mountain

biking (evolution2-chamonix.com), which

from the tales, they wouldn’t have wanted to

be any longer or steeper, but the views were

magnificent, and arriving at the top was

well worth the effort. It sounded like far too

much hard work, so us ladies headed off to

be pampered at the 5 hotel Hameau Albert

(hameaualbert.fr) spa, which was a welcome

break from the thrills and spills.

Mid-holiday we moved chalet, not

everyone’s ideal, but what we were about to

experience was actually quite exceptional,

and we didn't even know it. Enter chalets

Philippe (chaletsphilippe.com), a collection

of seven unique, superbly furnished chalets,

all offering total privacy from each other

and probably the most breathtaking views

of the chamonix valley that any spot has to

offer. Philippe himself was nothing short

of one of life’s characters, greeting us in

his dressing gown then heading back to

watch Wimbledon, which at first I thought

strange, but his personality soon become

very apparent. The service, the food, and

the tranquillity this place had to offer, I can

honestly say was unrivalled.

The chef, with a Michelin star to his name,

produced lavish meals fit for kings and kids,

no menus in sight, simply “What would you

like today?”

The chalet we stayed in came complete with

a private sauna,

two Jacuzzis, and

a cinema. Yes,

a cinema, not a

television room, a

cinema. But what

about the kids?

Well, despite all

this luxury the

whole set-up

wasn’t the slightest

bit stuffy, and

they could relax

and run around,

loving the garden,

sunbeds and

freedom to roam.

We left,

pampered, relaxed, and moreover with both

adults and children harmoniously getting

along together. We’d had a break from the

terrible twos, and amazingly no tempers

had frayed the whole time we’d been away.

A mountain holiday might seem, on paper,

like hard work compared with the seaside,

but with so much to keep parents and

children alike occupied throughout the day,

a summer holiday in the mountains really is

a winning formula. Next year, we’ll be back.

OLIVIA PARRY-JONES

L

017

ne of the three sections

of a 30km triathlon in the

Highlands of Scotland has been

cancelled, after toxic blue-

green algae was found in a loch where the

kayak section was due to have been staged.

Health officials warned that the water

of the loch had been affected, and that

competitors could risk skin rashes, eye

irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever

and muscle pains if they went across it.

The Wicked Wolf Triathlon, which is

named after an infamous 14th century lord

known as the Wolf of Badenoch – who

had a stronghold on an island in the loch

and is best known for destroying a nearby

cathedral in 1390 – still went ahead, without

the kayak section.

Discovery of Toxic Blue Green Algae Leads To cancelation of Triathlon

O

Mountain Drop OffsMountain Drop Offs (mountaindropoffs.com, 020 70 43 48 74) offer door-to-door shared (from £22.50pp) and private transfers (from £149 for 8 passengers) from the airport. They also offer transfers to resorts across the French and Swiss Alps.

5 Reasons To Visit Discover Ben Clatworthy’s Five Reasons To Visit Chamonix in the summer on page 24, or if you need inspiration for the winter visit skinews.co.uk/5reasons/

mon

IcA

dAlm

ASSo

PAtr

Ice

lABA

rBe

ecord-breaking

adventurer Dave

cornthwaite is

famed for extreme

globetrotting, from skateboarding

across Australia to paddleboarding

the Mississippi, and his latest

escapade is no exception.

cornthwaite has not just sailed

the Pacific, but went on to pedal

across America, travelling from

Memphis to Miami on a four-

wheeled boxcar. He completed

the 1609km journey wearing his

sponsor’s, cushe (www.cushe.

com), sportiest footwear style

to date. The “Spike” features a

moulded EvA sole, and memory

foam foot cushioning, designed

to keep feet comfortable no matter

how many miles the wearer travels.

Not one to let the grass grow,

cushe Footwear Ambassador

Dave cornthwaite’s next planned

adventure is a 1609km swim down

the Lower Missouri river.

“The cool thing about this next

trip is that I have a six-strong

support team and documentary

crew, all paddling 1000 miles

beside me on SUP, kayak and

canoe, whilst wearing cushe's

amphibious summer sandals the

‘Forensic Flop’, that with their

’Yoga Mat‘ sponge footbed are

equally ready for a lazy day at the

beach as they are a more extreme

adventure like this!”

Adventurer plans 1609km SwimBEN CLATWORTHY

018

RWheelchair HikingAustria’s Tyrol region is leading the world in its facilities to help disabled people reach its peaks. In addition to extensive winter ski facilities, in the summer there are 24 approved wheelchair hiking routes, with almost no differences in elevation, including a route along the shores of the Ötztaler Ache or across the scenic marshlands of the Längenfeld basin. Since 2010, with the help of the RollRinn stretchers it is even possible to reach the summit of a mountain.www.tyrol.com/en/handbike-routes.

A new exhibition at the Design

Museum in London looks at the

close links between sports and

design. Along with pioneering ski

designs ”Designed to Win” features

the British two-man bobsleigh

from the 1964 Winter Olympics,

held in Innsbruck, Austria. The race

was won by Anthony Nash and

Robin Thomas Dixon for the British

team, and remains Britain’s only

ever gold medal in the two-man

bobsleigh race. The exhibition,

which runs to 18 November,

celebrates the ways in which

design and sport are combined.

New Exhibition At Design Museum celebrates Sports Technology

SEPTEMBER 2012

© 2

012

dAve

cor

ntH

wAI

te

hat Are Altitude International

Summer Camps?

Based in the beautiful

and cosmopolitan Swiss

resort of verbier, Altitude International

children’s Summer camps are aimed

at 6–16-year-olds giving them the

chance to learn, develop and have fun

all summer long. There are two options:

Language camps, teaching English

as a foreign language or French, and

Mountain Adventure camps. These

involve either language classes or

mountain learning in the morning,

followed by a balance of sport, group

activities and local excursions in the

afternoons and evenings.

What Are Mountain Adventures?

The mountains are a wonderful

and inspiring environment and our

Mountain Adventure camps offer

children the chance to learn and

explore this in a safe and fun way.

Activities involve discovering many

of the skills that will allow children

to further enjoy and appreciate the

mountains. This includes hiking and

trekking, while learning about how

maps and compasses can help them

safely explore the mountains.

What Should I Look For In A Camp?

A summer camp is a great opportunity

for your children to learn, develop and

make new friends; they are a chance

to build independence, while learning

valuable skills in a safe environment.

But what should you look for

when deciding on a camp for

my child?

What Do Altitude Camps

Include?

Day camps include

either language

classes (taught by

native-speaking and

experienced teachers)

or mountain adventure in

the mornings, followed by a

healthy and tasty lunch prepared by

our in-house chefs. Both language and

mountain adventure campers will then

join together for afternoon activities.

The afternoon programme is a mix

of sport (such as tennis, swimming,

hiking, and more), group activities

(including drama, group games and

art), or local excursions to some of the

exciting places around verbier.

As well as taking part in the regular day

programme, residential camps include

accommodation in a beautiful 4 chalet

located in a safe and quiet corner of

verbier. A choice of healthy meals cooked

from local ingredients are provided by

our chefs, and our camp counsellors

run a variety of evening

activities. These are

designed to build

friendships among

the campers,

and provide a

challenging and

fun chance to

acquire new

skills.

What Makes

Altitude Summer

Camps Different?

We distinguish ourselves by

providing a high quality and small-scale

camp. Every aspect of our camps are

aimed at providing the best: from the

4 accommodation for the residential

campers; the healthy meals provided

by our own chefs; and our handpicked

staff with their considerable experience

working with children, and in the

mountain environment or language

classroom. We also keep our groups small,

with a maximum of eight children in a

group and often much smaller groups

than that. This gives our staff the ability

to ensure every child gets the most

possible from their camp. Our dedication

to quality and to small groups allows

us to specialise our programmes, so all

campers can take part in the activities that

are best suited to them, and can gain the

most, have fun and always be safe.

If you would like further information

about our summer camps, winter ski

lessons, or becoming a ski instructor,

then please contact Laura on

[email protected] or check out

one of our websites,

www.altitude-camps.com or

www.altitude-futures.com.

W

JON (AKA WESTY) AT ALTITUDE

019

The Altitude company portfolio

includes the ski and snowboard school, the instructor training Gap

programmes, the Verbier freeride camps, as well as winter and summer

kids camps.

SEPTEMBER 2012

t’s not quite autumn yet but

the summer ski season is all

but over, and we can begin

dreaming of the first big

snowfalls of the ski season; which can

begin as early as September, with some

years seeing great powder skiing for

those lucky enough to be on the (fairly

empty) slopes, in October, benefiting

from low ticket prices at the dozen

or so open ski areas, or the 100 in the

southern hemisphere.

Switzerland has two ski areas open

throughout September and they’re

among Europe’s highest – Zermatt and

Saas Fee. The latter had a 1.5m base as

we went to press and both are in good

shape with terrain parks open on each

glacier. Other centres, including Glacier

3000 near Gstaad and Engelberg will

open from October.

Austria usually offers the biggest

choice of early autumn glacier

skiing. Tux and the Molltal glaciers

are already open, although hot

august weather made conditions

challenging as we went to press.

The country’s highest lifts and runs

on the Pitztal glacier will re-open

on 15 September and they’re likely

to be joined by those of the Solden

(staging World cup season openers

27–28 October) and Stubai glaciers,

with the Kitzsteinhorn, Dachstein and

Kaunertal not far behind.

Tignes in France will re-open at

the start of October for autumn

snowsports, and (other than Les Deux

Alpes re-opening for 10 days at the end

of that month) it will be more or less

the only ski area open in France until

late November.

Elsewhere in Europe, Passo Stelio and

val Senales in Italy, as well as Folgefonn

and Galdhoppigen in Norway, may be

open subject to the conditions. cervinia

in Italy and Ruka in Finland will re-

open in September.

NORTH AMERICA

September is not the month to head

to the slopes of North America as

the continent’s one near-year-round

ski area, Timberline on Mt Hood in

Oregon, makes its one annual closure

for most of the month for maintenance

checks. Expect runs to start opening

from mid to late October on some of

the world’s highest slope in colorado,

usually at Breckenridge, copper, A

Basin and Loveland – so long as it’s

finally cold enough after their very

warm 2012 to date.

SOuTHERN HEMISPHERE

September and October mark ‘spring

ski season’ in the southern hemisphere

and after a shaky start in some places, it’s

currently looking like a good one down

there for 2012. Australian resorts have

had a good winter in the main, and had

some of their biggest falls to date (50cm

in 24 hours) as we went to press in late

August, with Thredbo claiming it had the

best conditions since 2000 as a result.

Bases are typically around 1.5m.

Over in New Zealand it has been more

of a roller coaster season, but again big

snowfalls as we go to press, with Mt Hutt

reporting nearly 80cm over a few days.

It’s similar again in Argentina and chile

with big falls reported by Portillo and valle

Nevado – both open through September.

020

I

SummER

The Best Summer Skiing From Across The Globe

PATRICK THORNE

or any skier that

enjoys something

just a little bit unique

and special, the

chance to go skiing in chile is

surely an opportunity not to miss.

The spectacular scenery of the

Andes brings a completely different

perspective for most skiers that

are accustomed to the Alps or

Rockies. Towering volcanoes soar

high above the tree line, and the

views stretch forever across the

wide open plains below. Snow

accumulates throughout the

summer, and into September is

the time when some of the best

powder snow is to be found.

One of the world’s most highly-

regarded ski instructors, Phil

Smith, and four times Olympic ski

racer, Emma carrick-Anderson,

have been travelling to chile

since 2004. Having explored the

region extensively, their company

Snoworks (www.snoworks.co.uk)

organise trips every year that

enable any competent off-piste

skier to experience the wonderful

environment and extensive

terrain on offer.

“With a Snoworks adventure

you're guaranteed an experience.

Not only do we search out some

of the best possible skiing, we also

visit places away from the norm,

getting into local communities

wherever possible, getting to know

the country, the local people, the

culture” explains Smith.

A 2-week trip starting on 1

September, is designed for those that

have skiing as their top priority. The

focus is on skiing from the summits

of seven different volcanoes, staying

in cabin-style accommodation, with

a dedicated Snoworks chef and, of

course, hosted and guided by both

Snoworks instructors and a local

mountain guide. The trip costs £3774.

Skiing On A VolcanoBEN CLATWORTHY

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Chamonix Mont-Blanca Way of life!

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Let There Be LightWith summer drawing to a close, seeing what you're doing when you continue to enjoy outdoor activities becomes a challenge. One answer is a new high-performance flashlight from Coleman (coleman.eu), with super-bright light, sleek design and an incredibly durable construction. The Ultra High Power LED Aluminium Flashlight (RRP £79.99) is perfect for lighting up large areas, with an amazing beam distance of 235m. A second option is a Focusing LED Flashlight weighing just 157g and offering a beam distance of 110m (£29.99).

SEPTEMBER 2012

estern Austria’s Ötz valley

region lies right on the

border of Italy and is a

famous ski destination. The

village of Obergurgl, at the head of the

valley, is the country’s highest parish,

and the most snow sure of Europe’s non-

glacial resorts. It’s the highest of a string

of communities in the valley, which rise

up from 680–2000m above sea level

– the mountains continue far higher.

Nearby Sölden has twin glacier ski areas

open for snow sports from October to

June, skiing’s annual World cup circuit

kicks off here each autumn.

Now the area, where Ötzi the ice man

was discovered in 1991, is racking up its

credentials as a summer mountain sports

destination too, combining its spectacular

natural assets with investment in

arguably Europe’s best action outdoor

playground, AREA 47.

AREA 47One of the Ötztal’s leading new man-

made attractions is the ultra-cool AREA

47 adventure park, about an hour down

the valley from Obergurgl. With the

biggest water slides, high rope-courses,

and other adventure activities in

Europe, this really takes anything you

may have seen in dear old-Blighty onto

another, fairly extreme, level.

Including what the complex quite

accurately describes as “probably

the sportiest 20,000 square metres

you’ll ever see,” there’s a huge water

area, and overall some 30 different

adventure sports activities available,

ranging from tubing down the

huge ramp into the lake through to

canyoning or caving.

The diving platform above the lake

rises to an incredible 27m, although,

sadly you can only dive from 10m,

with the higher levels reserved for

professionals putting on displays. You

can, however, be fired out across the

lake in a water cannon.

If you want to get a quick overview

of the whole place, jump on the

350m-long zip wire ride when you

arrive, or swing above it all on the

mega swing or tackle the (very) high

ropes course.

The best thing is that a day’s access

to this adventure sports paradise is

inclusive with the Ötztal Premium

card, of which more later.

TAkE THE FAMILyYou can pitch the adrenaline level of your

Ötztal adventure at any setting, including

family-friendly. With Obergurgl at the

head of the valley, and fairly quiet anyway

in the summer months, it’s almost traffic-

free, and there are plenty of things to do as

a family, many free of charge if you stay in

accommodation that offers activities such

as horse riding or archery lessons on-site,

alternatively you can take advantage of

offers included in the valley’s local sports

and transport card for guests – see below

for details of both. You can also head out

at a faster pace (free rental with the Ötztal

Premium card) on the white water or into

AREA 47, as all can be tackled at a notch or

two below ”full on” so as not to intimidate

younger family members. Indeed, unless

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PATRICK THORNE

you’re an extreme adrenaline junkie

yourself, this could be your excuse to take

it a little easier!

WHERE TO STAyA good choice for families (or indeed

anyone) is the 4 Hotel Edelweiss

& Gurgl in Obergurgl as it offers an

activity programme for children aged

from 4–12 years, including archery,

horse riding courses, visits to working

farms, nature hikes, marmot safaris,

painting and handicrafts workshops,

face painting and games.

A package deal through crystal holidays

also includes a spectacular guided walk

with overnight stay in the Ramolhaus

mountain hut at 3006m – walking more

than 1000 vertical metres during the day.

The hotel also has an indoor swimming

pool, and a heated outdoor pool (1200m²),

“glacier” spa area with saunas, steam

room, whirlpool, fitness room and

relaxation area, and from local farms the

restaurant is able to source many organic

ingredients, preparing a wide variety of

regional and international dishes.

GET THE CARDThe low-priced Ötztal card, and its more

comprehensive stablemate, the Ötztal

Premium card provides holders with

free use of mountain lifts and public

buses, access to the valley’s wonderful

Aqua Dome spa centre, a day at AREA

47, and free use or discounts at more

than 40 other leisure facilities, including

mountain bike rentals. Terms and

conditions apply and some of these offers

depend on the duration of your stay

(basically, the longer you stay, the more

you’re offered!).

023

Area 47: www.area47.atÖtzi village: www.oetzi-dorf.atÖtztal Card: www.oetztal.comVisit Tirol: www.visittirol.co.uk or www.facebook.com/visittirolCrystal Summer: www.crystalsummer.co.uk; 0871 230 8180

Prices are from £756 per adult, first child travels free and second child is £215, including return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers, seven nights half board, and activities listed in “Where To Stay” section.

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THE MECCA FOR SUMMER SPORTS

Long considered the mecca for summer sports

enthusiasts, chamonix is arguably one of the

most popular ski resorts in the summer. Each

year tens of thousands of adventure sports fans

visit the town for trekking, climbing, mountain biking, and

many more summer activities.

BEAUTIFUL ALPINE TOWNYou don’t have to be a sports fanatic to enjoy

chamonix. For those looking simply to relax,

it’s very easy to just enjoy the atmosphere of

this vibrant Alpine town. The pedestrian centre

offers a wide selection of shops and boutiques, sunny street

cafés, and a vast choice of restaurants, including two with

Michelin stars. Head into the side streets to avoid the crowds,

or simply position yourself in one of the many cafés for hours

of people watching.

CLIMB MONT-BLANCchamonix is the starting point for those wishing

to climb Mont Blanc. Translated as “white

mountain” the summit at 4810m is the highest

in the Alps, Western Europe and the European

Union, whilst the peak is also the 11th highest in the world.

Each year 20,000 climbers ascend the mountain, most of

them taking 2 days to reach the top, staying overnight in

one of the mountain refuges. There are several routes to

the summit, offering different challenges, but all have their

advantages and disadvantages.

ULTRA TRAILDU MONT BLANC

considered one of the toughest mountain

running races in the world, the Ultra Trail du

Mont Blanc (27 August–2 September 2012)

covers three countries (France, Switzerland and

Italy), 168km and 9600 vertical metres. Last year 2300 runners

started the race, with the winner crossing the finish line in

20 hours 36 minutes. Most runners take between 30 and 45

hours to complete the gruelling route, which reaches 2500m

at its highest point.

NONE OTHER THAN SHOPPING!

chamonix high street is lined with ski and

outdoor sports shops selling everything from

clothes to equipment. Take advantage of the

summer sales and stock up on winter sports

accessories ahead of the season. Or if you’re more interested

in high fashion then have a nose around the many fashion

outlets in the town.

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BEN CLATWORTHY

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020 7371 6111www.lagrange-holidays.co.ukABTA No. V554X

AFFORDABLE MOUNTAIN ACCOMMODATION

• French Alps and Pyrenees• High-standard self-catering apartments,

budget apartments and hotels• Stay in the rustic mountaineering village

of Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley from £71pp/wk

SEPTEMBER 2012

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rom 30 runners

in 2003, to 111 in

2011, the annual

Atlantic Airways

Tórshavn Marathon (www.

torshavnmarathon.com/uk)

on the Faroe Islands has built

up significant local, and also

global, participation over the

past decade. Testament to this is

the participation of four runners

from the UK this year, plus several

from Denmark, Germany and the

United States.

Organised by the Bragdið

Athletic club, the 42.2km

Tórshavn Marathon, taking place

this year on 2 September, is

guaranteed to be one of the most

scenically-memorable marathons

one could ever have the pleasure

of running.

Starting in the tiny and

quirky capital of Tórshavn,

with its multicoloured houses,

grass roofs and ninth century

buildings, athletes run through

the town and then head out

northwards across lush slopes

past waterfalls, lakes and

volcanic rock, passing a serene

and stunning fjord. The men’s

full marathon record is 2 hours

49 minutes and the women’s is

3 hours 16 minutes.

For the less energetic there is

a half marathon (21.1km), and

shorter runs for children.

It is still possible to register for

the races. Packages are available

from Sunvil Discovery (www.

sunvil.co.uk) from £560pp (based

on two sharing), including three

nights accommodation, with

breakfast and return flights. www.

visitfaroeislands.com.

The Faroe islands marathonBEN CLATWORTHY

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Kathmandu’s voltai 40L hike pack (RRP

£99.99) is one of the innovative outdoor brands

most flexible and innovative yet – designed to

change and adapt to suit your requirements.

The bag is available in gender-specific designs

(Men’s – Red, Unisex – Black, Women’s – Blue),

and has a breathable harness making it a super-

comfortable, well-fitted and lightweight.

The AirLT harness keeps the bag in optimal

shape, distributes the load evenly between hip

and shoulders, and offers gender-specific back

length, shoulder straps and hip belt. The light,

contour-moulded and perforated back panel

also provides extra ventilation and increased

breathability.

There are also internal and external pockets

to provide easy access and extra security for

your belongings, a walking pole attachment

point, and it is compatible with a 3L internal

hydration sleeve (sold separately). www.

kathmandu.co.uk

versatileHike Pack

Embark On A Tour De France challenge

ollowing the success of Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France, tour operator

Discover Adventure (www.discoveradventure.com) has launched a new

selection of themed cycling trips, ranging from moderate to tough, whilst

also suitable for beginners who are prepared to train.

Options include a 5-day ”classic cols of the Tour de France” cycle race, which

incorporates the toughest mountain climbs of the Tour de France across the heart of the

French Alps. You’ll finish the trip by taking on two of the toughest and most renowned

ascents in the region – the col du Galibier and Alpe D’Huez. The trip includes four nights

hotel accommodation, airport transfers, most meals, and the expertise of the Discover

Adventure leaders (flights extra).

Trips depart on 20 September 2012, and 27 June and 19 September 2013. Participants pay

£580pp (£600pp for 2013 departures). cyclists can heighten their sense of achievement by

raising money for charity at the same time if they wish, for which there’s a fundraising target

of £1450pp (£1500pp for 2013 departures). A £149 registration fee also applies.

Other options include the chance to witness the final stage of next year’s Tour de France

(17–21 July 2013) as part of a 5-day London to Paris charity cycle trip on behalf of Action Medical

Research. This trip is so popular it’s sold out for 2012 – so get in early if you want to do it next year!

F

Ski Team Try High Octane SportsAn influx of international athletes to the Queenstown Lakes ski fields in New Zealand has confirmed that the famous action sports area is fast gaining recognition as the premier region for northern hemisphere top skiers and snowboarders to base their off-season training. The US men’s alpine was based in Queenstown for a 4-week ”summer” training programme, one of more than a dozen national teams to be based in the area. They tried out other activities, such as bungee and jet boating, when not on the snow.

DSUK Want To ‘Make 1m Friends’Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) have launched a new campaign called ‘Make a million friends’. They say if every skier and boarder donates £1 they would receive £1,000,000, resulting in a very positive impact on their work throughout the UK and overseas. Anyone can donate when they book a holiday with TUI companies including Crystal, Thomson and Flexiski, or online www.justgiving.com/dsukfriends. Alternatively you can donate by sending a texting 70070 with the message DSUK60 £1 (or any other amount you want to donate).

62% Rise In Cycle Holiday BookingsExplore.co.uk has seen a 62% year-on-year increase in cycling holiday bookings, following the 2012 Games. For those who are serious about cycling, Explore's 15 day 'Backroads and Tea Trails' tour offers customers the chance to experience day to day life while cycling through Sri Lanka with prices starting from £1994pp.

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NORTH FAcE mEN’S JAmmu JAcKET£400This new lightweight, winter

mountaineering jacket from The

North Face sets a new standard for

breathability and water resistance.

Pioneering Polartec® NeoshellTM

technology offers the breathability

of soft shell with no-nonsense

wind and water protection.

Interior fabric brushed for next-

to-skin warmth and softness.

Fully adjustable hood swivels for

unobstructed vision.

www.thenorthface.com

You can never be too prepared for the outdoors; the weather is unpredictable and the landscape varied, that’s why we’ve put together a selection of the hottest products on the market, all aimed at making your adventure one to remember.

HARDNuTZ cARBON FiBRE HELmET £49.99The sleek, aerodynamic styling

of the Hardnutz carbon Fibre

Hi vis helmet makes it one of

the most desirable for cyclists

this summer. The lightweight

inmould construction is teamed

with 19 vents to give 360° cooling

ventilation. The removable visor,

13 panels of Silver 3M Scotchlite

material and Pc outer shell with

impact-absorbing material make

this helmet safe and stylish.

www.hardnutz.com

JULY 2012

NiKWAx’S TENT & GEAR SOLARpROOF£5.99 FOR 150MLThis doubles the life of tents and

other gear by protecting it from Uv

damage, whilst increasing water-

repellency.  The latest edition -

Tent & Gear SolarProof® v12.1 - is

now 3.5 times more concentrated.

Apply regularly and you’ll save

money in the long run.

www.nikwax.com

GOpRO HD HERO2£299.99The all new HD Hero 2 is here and

it takes the world’s leading wearable

camera to the next level. It’s perfect

for almost every sport and comes

with an array of mounting options.

Keeping the same distinct shape

and size, it now has a larger sensor

for improved performance in low

light conditions and increased

filming angles. The 11MP camera

takes superb photos and you can

now perform a 10 photo/sec burst.

www.madison.co.uk

027JUNE 2012

LEKicARBON TiTANium SL£129.95These fully loaded, ultralight

poles feature a lightweight

aluminium top section with

high-modular 100% carbon

middle and lower sections and

the comfortable Air Ergo cavity

shell grip. The Speed Lock system

is quick and easy to adjust even

with mitts on and offers superior

holding power.

www.ardblairsports.com

You can never be too prepared for the outdoors; the weather is unpredictable and the landscape varied, that’s why we’ve put together a selection of the hottest products on the market, all aimed at making your adventure one to remember.

027

GARmiNFORERuNNER310xTFROM £259.99Hit the slopes with the GPS-enabled

Forerunner 310XT. This all-in-one

device is waterproof, has up to 20

hours of battery life and accurately

tracks speed, distance, elevation,

time and heart rate. Wirelessly

send data to your computer so you

can store, share and relieve your

activities with friends.

www.garmin.com

SALOmON x uLTRA£90It may look like a trainer but don’t be

fooled - it is a lightweight, technical

trail shoe built for hiking on mixed

terrain. The upper is made of a

quick drying, breathable mesh and

incorporates Salomon’s QuickLace

system and Sensifit for quick and

precise envelopment of the foot.

Rubber toe caps protect against

stubbing and the sole is grippy

and durable. Also available in a

GORE-TEX version and in men’s and

women’s-specific fit.

www.salomon.com/uk

SALicE 006 EyEWEAR£69.95Developed with Alessandro Petacchi the 006 is the ultimate combination of style and

performance. Made from the highest quality materials on the shore of Lake como, the 006 is

guaranteed to perform as good as it looks. The hydro-repellent lens coating increases lens life

while the mirrored finish and anti-glare treatment provide excellent clarity of vision.

www.salice.co.uk

SALOmON mEN’S QuEST pAcLiTE£200This ultra light, packable Gore-

Tex Paclite provides outstanding

protection against wind and

rain, and is ideal for any outdoor

pursuit, in the mountains, or

at home. Approved for hiking,

trekking and mountaineering, the

jacket is lightweight, yet offers

unbeatable weather protection.

The jacket contains 2 external

zipped pockets.

www.salomon.com/uk

JULY 2012

his summer the Montane Lakeland 100 and Lakeland 50 races became the leading

British ultra, taking place on either 100 miles or 50 miles of Lakeland trails, and now

stands on a stage amongst the world’s leading trail races. The race sold out in 10

days, with over 900 entries and a further 300 on the waiting list. The race was capped

to allow the logistics of the race to grow with the amount of competitors; the organisers are now

confident to grow the race numbers again for next year. The Lakeland 100 male race winner was

Terry conway (19 hours 50 minutes) and the female race winner was Rachel Hill (28 hours 47

minutes). In the Lakeland 50 race, the male winner was Steve Angus (8 hours 30 minutes) and the

female winner was Tracy Dean (8 hours 38 minutes).

Lakeland 100 and 50 Ultra Races Join Worlds Elite

Ironman Returns To CaliforniaNorth Lake Tahoe in California will host the first full distance Ironman (www.ironman.com) event in California since 2001, on 22 September 2013. The event will start with a two loop, 3.9km swim in the pristine waters of Kings Beach, California, before competitors start a two loop 180km bike course, and finally run along the shores of Lake Tahoe, one of the most scenic lake vistas in the world, finishing back at The Village at Squaw Valley.

Orienteering In The DolomitesAlta Badia has increased its orienteering trails, with new maps and an ”open-air gym” accessible to all during the summer. The Italian mountain resort has also announced a weekend of “woodland sport” – the Italian name for orienteering – on 14–16 September for athletes and amateurs of all ages. The centre also operates a Summer for Kids programme, which guests can sign-up for at any Alta Badia tourism office, or every Monday at 10am in the events room at Corvara. Prices range from €18 for 1 day to €60 for 1 week.

Waterproof iPhone CaseAquapac (www.aquapac.net) has launched a 100%-waterproof case specifically for the iPhone (SRP £20). Previously Aquapac’s mini and small Whanganui cases were used to protect iPhones from water, dirt and sand. This new iPhone case has been cut-down in size so the fit is better and more compact. You can still make calls, send texts, browse and take photos with the case on. Tested by Imperial College London it will cope underwater at depths of up to 5m for 1 hour.

028

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MySwitzerland.comSwitzerland has everything you could wish for a summer holiday, and with 7,000 different bodies of water,there are plenty of locations to enjoy a beach holiday too. Whether you want to discover our mountain lakes, waterfalls and rivers or even spend the night afloat somewhere, we are sure that we can find just what you are looking for. Visit MySwitzerland.com/summer for more holiday ideas in, on or around the water.

We do whatever it takes to make your summer holidays perfect.

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SEPTEMBER 2012

LENkERhOFLenk, Simmental

+41 (0)33 736 [email protected]

There’s only one 5 hotel in the village and it’s the Lemkerhof. This is one of the most modern, unconventional luxury hotels in Europe. You will find everything you need for a highly enjoyable time to rest, relax and regenerate. The 7 Sources spa offers an indoor sports pool, outdoor sulphur pool, seven saunas and much more.

5MOUNTAIN hEAVENGrimentz

+44 (0)151 625 [email protected]

Mountain Heaven is family owned and run, independent holiday company specialising in great value, high quality holiday accommodation in catered chalets and self catered chalet apartments. For your peace of mind your holidays are fully bonded by ABTOT and we have a no hidden extras policy so there are no annoying extra charges or supplements!

4ThE CAMBRIANAdelboden

+41 (0)33 673 [email protected]

Stunning mountain views in every direction, The Cambrian offers the kind of location that desk huggers the world over spend their days dreaming about. Located in the leading resort of Adelboden in the Bernese Oberland, the hotel provides authentic local colour, cosmopolitan comfort and inspiring cuisine backed up by superb service.

ThE OMNIA Zermatt

+41 (0)27 966 7171 [email protected] www.the-omnia.com

There’s an immediate WOW factor at the Omnia Mountain Lodge which perches on a cliff in the centre of Zermatt. The Omnia builds on its great location with exquisite interior design, based on a contemporary interpretation of the classic American Mountain Lodge, fine cuisine, a wonderful wellness centre and seamless service, to createba harmonious guest experience. There are 30 rooms, a dozen of them suites all equipped with the latest technology and many with balconies and Matterhorn views. The Omnia’s lobby has a library and fireplace, restaurant, bar, boardroom, cavern and two sun decks high above the roofs of Zermatt and the intimate restaurant is a place you’ll want to spend the night

MONThLYGUIDE TOACCOMMODATION

SUPERIOR

ThE CLUBhOUSEChamonix – Mont Blanc

+33 (0)450 984 [email protected]

The Clubhouse is a boutique chalet-hotel, bar and restaurant which sits inside a magnificent 1920s Art Deco mansion. The building has undergone major refurbishment to create seven ultra modern rooms with accommodation for up to 20 guests. The range of rooms (from the sumptuous Myla Suite to the comfortable bunk rooms) boast his-and-hers, teak-decked, power showers, Frette linen and fat duvets.

hOTEL ALEXZermatt

+41 (0)27 966 7070 [email protected]

The Hotel Alex is perfectly situated in the centre of Zermatt just off on a hidden back street, giving you the busyness of beautiful Zermatt right on your doorstep, but the peace and quiet you would expect from an escape to the mountains. The warm and friendly welcome is simply hard to beat.

4SkI-BASE:ChALET DE LA CLOChE Val d’Isère

+44 (0)20 3432 8446 [email protected]

Chalet de la Cloche is in the heart of Les Brevieres, Espace Killy, considered to be one of the greatest ski areas in the world.The Ski-Base team have created a wonderful chalet described by Harpers Bazaar as a “haven of sensual indulgence”. It is one of Condé Nast Traveller top 10 chalets in the Alps.

5

4 UNOFFICIAL

029SEPTEMBER 2012

ertical Drop’s Ben

Clatworthy spent 10 minutes

with Jonathan Bryan,

Owner and Managing

Director of Discover Adventure (www.

discoveradventure.com), specialists in

trekking and cycling trips worldwide for

charity fundraising.

Jonathan, Discover Adventure is a

unique company, when did it all begin,

and what exactly is the aim?

JB I founded the company in 1994,

literally taking bookings whilst still

working on a building site to try to fund

my business idea. I had spent a season

working in North Africa – mainly in

Morocco and Egypt – leading mountain

biking holidays and wanted to do more.

I never expected it to grow to a company

taking over 6000 passengers away

in a year! The major aims are to take

individuals out of their comfort zone to

marvellous, off-the-beaten-track places,

and to do something amazing for charity

at the same time.

It’s a fascinating company: what made

you decide to set up a fundraising travel

company?

JB The plan for the business was to

organise mountain biking trips around

the world for small groups. It was

only when Macmillan cancer Support

approached us to take 30 supporters to

the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco to

raise funds for them that an entirely new

direction to take the business appeared.

That really did start a big ball rolling; the

RNLI and The Guide Dogs for the Blind

Association were next to come on board.

What made you choose to set up such a

company in the first place?

JB Purely my love for travel and riding

my bike!

What is it that Discover Adventure aims

to change, and tackle, through the

fundraising trips?

JB We want to provide all our participants

with a trip of a lifetime. It is not uncommon

for us to hear that taking part in a

Discover Adventure challenge has been

a life-changing experience. Taking part

in something that tests your limits on

many levels gives you an unforgettable

achievement, and makes you stop, think

and reassess – providing a huge confidence

boost to boot. Add to that an experience

that is totally different to the everyday, in a

spectacular part of the world, often without

your usual comfortable network of family or

friends around you – then it is no wonder

that it can be life changing.

Where do your trips take people, and who

runs the excursions?

JB We organise trips throughout the world,

and we don’t forget the UK too. Our brochure

features over 30 challenges in probably 20

countries. From short trips in Europe to

classic routes like the Inca Trail, or our Land’s

End to John O’Groats cycle. We have unique

adventures in Borneo, India, costa Rica,

Nepal and cambodia to name a few more.

A crew from Discover Adventure

accompanies every trip; they are fully

qualified and professionally trained. We

have attracted a group of superhumans to

run our adventures! We work closely with

local ground operators, and a local crew

will accompany the group too. We have

a high crew/participant ratio, as safety is

our first priority. Using local people also

means we are aiding the local economy.

I know travel firms plan many years in

advance, what do you have planned for

2013 and 2014?

JB In the cycling world, 2013 is set to be a

memorable year as it sees the 100th edition of

the Tour de France. With all the success in the

Olympics, we know its going to inspire many

people to get involved in a cycle challenge,

so we have three new cycle trips to mark

this centenary: one tackles the length of the

Pyrenees and many of the climbs used in the

Tour de France, another traverses northern

Italy from venice in the east to Genoa in

the west, and a final challenge takes place

in Rajasthan, India. And largely because

of my love for Morocco, we have a new

trek summiting the three largest peaks in

Morocco, including Mount Toubkal.

closer to home we are introducing a

series of city Treks – which we call

Trekathons – walking 26 miles in a day

(so no mean feat!), in Paris, Amsterdam,

Barcelona and Edinburgh.

How much has the company raised for

charity, and how much do you aim raise

in the coming year?

JB We calculate over £60m has been

raised since we started charity fundraising

challenges, and each year we believe

something in the region of £5m is raised

collectively from our participants.

What is your unique selling point?

JB As well as the unique trips that we offer,

participants can be safe in the knowledge

that we offer the very best deal possible

for charities, as at least 60% of fundraising

targets go direct to the charity concerned.

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Escaping their everyday routine - watch our athletes’ adventure in our new TV advert: www.facebook.com/berghaus

For the best outdoor gear visit: www.berghaus.com

‘Our social network’ Philippe, Anna, Leo, Leah & Rob

Vertical Drop 400x280mm (3mm Bleed Inc).indd 1 05/03/2012 11:22

PROUDLY PRESENTING VASSIAt the beginning of April, it really starts to get light again. Lifting the powerful

silhouette of the 400 million year-old mountain known to the Sami as Vassitjåkka.

The wind-sculpted landscape surrounding it is covered in cold, white, feathery snow.

An instructive playground for generations of skiers. This is where we found the

inspiration we were looking for to create our new clothes and ski backpacks,

designed in collaboration with two of the most experienced freeskiers we know,

Per Jonsson and Asbjørn Eggebø Næss.

Christened Vassi Jacket and Pant and the Skrå backpack.

W W W.HAGLOFS.C OM

H A G L Ö F S L O G O T Y P E

BASIC LOGOTYPE. TO BE USED AS NEGATIVE WHITE ON A BLACK OR DARK BACKGROUND

PLEASE CONTACT HAGLÖFS IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE LOGOTYPE

TEL +46 226 670 00, FAX +46 226 571 59

OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

VASSI JACkETShell jacket in Gore-Tex® Pro. Spacious fit, allowing

space for body armour underneath, and strategically

positioned ventilation. Helmet-compatible hood with

high collar giving good protection for the face.

Removable snow skirt in stretch material which

can be fastened to all pants.

VASSI bIbDesigned in collaboration with

professional skiers to give

maximum freedom of movement

and function when freeriding.

SkRå 20Minimalistic freeriding backpack.

With space for everything

you need, separate compartment

for safety equipment and

fastening for your skis.

NIC

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bL

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/// Winner 2012Product

PJ12-206 In The Snow_Ski_M_280x400mm_August 31_UK.indd 1 2012-07-11 14:29