|
|
|
Christmas Snow And Easter Skiing
ndeed the seasons are December on.
changing, no one can argue
that the snow is coming In those days Easter skiing was a
later, but few will realise that luxury only afforded by those who
it is also staying for much could justify the expense of an
longer. We are seeing some of the elite "high altitude" destination
best snow arriving mid to late such as Tignes and Val d'isere.
march, and lasting well into Snow around the rest of Europe
April and May. Maybe skiers need did not last much beyond the end
to start changing their habits of March.
for their annual ski holidays?
Easter is a different kettle of
From my own observations over the fish nowadays. The temperatures
20 years that I have been are remaining cold and the snow
immersed in the industry, the is falling heavier than ever
snow has not degraded over the during the first two weeks of
past two decades; it has simply April. Last year I enjoyed one of
chosen to start coming later on. the best ski holidays I have had
But not so late that it has wiped in 23 years up in Les Arcs 2000
out the traditional and favoured over the 25th of April.
time of year to go skiing, which
is of course Christmas. Early season however was not so
great. In the past few years, the
Ten years ago the temperatures ground has not been reaching it's
would drop in late October and critical level of freezing until
the first snow would arrive in early December, which wipes out
late November. A base layer would the relevance of any late
have formed by the first week in November snow flurries that
December, allowing skiers to excite the press in the UK and
enjoy cold, dry snow from early encourage early season skiers to
hit the mountains with such Arare in Avoriaz was open all
aplomb. season. Meribel was not skiing at
all below 2000 metres, and
Above 1500m we are seeing bases Courchevel was in a similar
form by mid December, which means pickle. This of course was before
that unlike times past, the the age of snow cannons, and
Christmas week is now the first skiers were had to take off their
really decent week of the season skis and walk the rest of the
for ski holidays. grassy slope down from1850
metres.
But let's not forget times past.
A look at the history books will But the resort locals are not
tell you that we have seen all ignorant of the effects of the
this before. I have spoken with British press sounding off about
countless locals during my time changing seasons. Nor their
in France who have lived for much dependency on the great British
of the last century in these skiing public for their
alpine farming villages; villages livelihood. They also realise
that have now become major ski that British skiers are
resorts. traditionalists and Christmas
week is our favourite time of
These locals are not worried at year to ski.
all. They have seen it all
before: "Snow comes and goes in They are fighting back with snow
cycles", they say. "You get the cannons, learning new ways of
good years and the bad years". producing fake snow, even
experimenting with bacteria that
In 1988 the consistency of snow will crystalise in plus degrees
was so flaky (excuse the pun) Celsius.
that only one run on the famous
Their techniques of "pisting" the resorts, slope preparation is
mountain are evolving to cope becoming an art in order to
with the demand in Christmas ski retain their piece of the demand
holidays. Piste bashers (tractors for those Christmas ski holidays?
that shovel snow) are working all
night to store snow at altitude
where it will last the season winter weeks. In sub 1500 metre align="center">
About the Author:
Shaun Parker has been an avid skier for many years. He shares his knowledge to help advise people off on their ski holidays. Published At: www.Isnare.com |
|
