Blog | MountVacation.com

Classically Chic France

Courchevel, as much of the great skiing in France goes, is located in Savoy, walled in by the Three Valleys, or Les Trois Vallees. I’ve never personally explored all of the Three Valleys in France, but I have come to rely on Courchevel as my port of entry, so to speak. Even when the dollar  falls, I still got a chalet with two other families for something ridiculously low (around 150 Euros each for the week). Blues and reds dominate the landscape and there’s always deals to be found, from happy hour to hotel specials. If you’re looking for a snowy French escape, it doesn’t get much more classically chic than in Courchevel, that much I’m certain.

Italian Mountain Adventures

Madonna di Campiglio is about as close to the Dolomites as I want to be. Not that I can’t find suitable skiing, but I swear I had a dream that the shark-like jaws of the mountains in the backdrop were eating me on my last skiing vacation there. Madonna makes experts wish they tried harder and leaves us blue and red skiers black and blue for days. The one slope I really like lasts almost 4 km with another 60 interlinking slopes to choose from. If you’ve wanted to take the family to a place where you could all get away (and hide for the day) then Madonna di Campiglio is the place to do it. Plus, the gastronomy is everything Italian and more.

Spanish in Style

If you’re going to ski spain, then you must ski Spain right. That is, Formigal is probably one of the best ski resort stopovers in the Pyrenees. I’ve skied it in the winter and hiked it in the summer, and the views, slopes and resorts are well worth the visit. Formigal wasn’t really much before it turned itself into one of the most comprehensive skiing resorts, if not in Europe then in Spain. The place, then, was built for skiing—purpose built—so there is no bad pistes to be found. The ski lifts are well oiled and get you to the top lickety-split. Formigal fits in with the rest of Europe’s over 100 Club (over 100 km of slopes to access) and has plenty to do for those looking for a mixer or two.

Outdoors in Austria

Anything outdoors in Austria is going to be amazing—they seemingly set the standard, or at least the bar for how a resort ought to be fun. Molltaler Gletscher is no exception to the Austrian rule of fast, and efficient fun. I think it was here I got stuck on the funicular, though it was exceptional, and had to wait about fifteen minutes on the side of the mountain. I mean, Obertauern is nice too, but I chose skiing Molltaler Gletsher because of how easy it is to get there from the airport or from Vienna. Plus, there’s just more to do than can be done in just a week or more. The snow park, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and everything in between can’t be beat. If for no other reason, the ski season here is one of the longest till mid-April and the 50+ slopes offer something for all shades of skiing abilities.

The Littler Known Places to Go, Ski, and See

Just because a ski resort is little known (or not known at all) doesn’t mean that it is has no good outdoor winter activities. Quite the contrary: Some of the best kept secrets are that exactly—the places that not too many people think of going. Though the locals may know about their own best-kept secrets, it doesn’t mean that you can’t barge in for some serious skiing or boarding on your neighbors powder. I’ve come up with some out-of-the-way ski destinations and what you can do there this winter. It’s time to give up the crowds, expense and go native.

Andorra

Though you may have never thought of taking a visit to Andorra—that little speck tucked between Spain and France—there are some ski resorts you won’t soon forget. One that comes to mind is Vallnord Ordino, Arcalis. Arcalis is literally concealed between the main Cercle d’Arcalis, a valley with some snowy north-facing slopes with trees all around. Aside from some crazy locals and those living in the neighboring towns (across the borders), you won’t find this place overblown with tourists. The nearly 700 meter drop won’t leave you laughing except for the joy of being alive (OK, it’s not that bad) and  there probably more snow making machines per  hectare than any other European snow resort.

Austria

It’s a little harder than you might think finding a “small” or “reclusive” ski resort in Austria that no one has ever heard of. One that I came across, however, is not as small and popular as it feels. Lech (Zurs am Arlberg) is one of those getaways that you won’t be disappointed I when you get here. There’s a few more than 100 ski slopes to choose from and a cool children’s park and a few times a day you can jump on a horse drawn sleigh. The 2800 meter vertical will take up plenty of your day perfecting.

Germany

The little-heard of ski resort of Wallberg in Germany is a recluses dream ski holiday. Though there is one great toboggan run around 7 km long and a ski slope meant for true experts, Wallberg is meant for those who come to do other activities in the snow. Those few souls looking for outdoor adventure away from the crowds during the ski season come to Wallberg for cross-country skiing, primo explorations around lake Tegernsee and Nordic skiing. Others come for the views and the unconventional panoramic views from the restaurant.

Switzerland

If you’re looking for a small escape in the land of plenty, then a trip to the 10 ski slopes at Kandersteg will keep you solo and happy. The number of km for the slopes is about 50 km, so there’s some nice diversity in the long runs. However, Kandersteg really only caters to intermediate and expert skiers, again, making it an escapist’s snowy dream. (There are some blue slopes, so don’t fret.) You can even get up to 3000 meters and head down the 1700 metered slope as many times san-lines as much as your heart desires. Kandersteg probably has the cheapest weekly rates, starting at around 115 Euro per week. Not too shabby, eh?

It’s always hard to skip powder days because of the contests, but in this case it was worth it

Gloryfy bastards was a contest with the best format ever. Hitting the biggest hip of my life in Gerlos at night was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

I came to Gerlos on Friday night and missed the training and when I saw the feature I was blown away. A perfect shaped hip almost in the middle of the village was looking really cool and pretty big. 18m of flat at the top which looked sketchy to hit over but soon this myth was busted when I started to hit it during morning practice.

Within 6 attempts I decided to go a bit faster and jumped over for the first time. Came a bit short but everything was ok.

Qualifications started with a jam session of snowboarders before skiers and snowboarders didn’t step it up. One of them made it over with a backside 180 and that scared me a bit because my first goal was to do some cool tricks over.

It was snowing and there wasn’t much speed. Our time was up and the skiers were all pumped. I did a couple of jumps on the side and then surprised everyone by doing a smooth 540 over the whole thing. Since then everything just went crazy. Everyone saw that it was possible to do so they stepped up their game as well. It was madness already in Qualis. My team-mate and I made it through to the finals which was pretty cool.

The finals started with a best trick session where I made a mistake and didn’t land my 900 tail. But the team finals were still ahead of us. We did a run with his 180 and my 540 and decided to go for all or nothing on the second run. We didn’t make it so we had to be pleased with 3rd place which is  pretty ok for this invitational contest that had also beaten me up so many times before with big crashes.

Once I came up short and knocked my knee into my face and broke a lens. Another other time I went for a 9 and as soon as I came out I knew it was going to be big. I couldn’t see anything in mid air, but when I came out, I saw I was still 5m too high for a sweet landing and landed really deep and ejected out of my skis. The feature was 10m high and as you can see from the photo that I was already pretty high, so you can imagine how big the crash was.

As soon as I came home I got a call from my friends saying that powder time was on and we built a kicker in the back-country and got no shots which was a bummer.

Today, however, we went across one peak and found a perfect playground which helped us shred the best pow of the year and put a big smile on our faces.

So many things can happen in just a few days and I’m already stoked about the new snowfall which is coming in a few days!

The organisers of the World Cup races at Kitzbühel are looking forward to a very special visitor. During the 70th championship in Hahnenkamm, Daniel Albrecht will visit the Mecca of skiing. The Swiss skier fell badly during downhill training last year when he jumped the final jump on the slope. His injury was followed by weeks of recovery in an artificial coma followed by a lengthy rehabilitation, which still aren’t quite over.

He’s been in great shape for some time now and there is more and more talk about his returning to the slopes. In his case it’s more about his psychological recovery and the strength needed for him to revisit Kitzbühel. Luckily for him, he doesn’t remember the day of the accident.

Albrecht’s and Scott McCartney’s fall the previous year triggered several changes in the fear surrounding the Strife slope. The measures they took are not just safety related, the course itself was changed. This year, we won’t be able to see the final jump, where skiers flew for up to 80m; in fact, they changed it so much that skiers will barely leave the ground. This was an understandable change, since the skiing speeds have increased in the last years. But skiers enter the final jump straight on, so the speeds shouldn’t pose a problem. Even the famous “traversa” pass will lose much of its diversity this year.

The organisers have done their best to keep the slope as mellow as possible. No bumps and waves that threw skiers off balance this year. The most difficult and spectacular race of the season will lose some of its appeal this year. Wengen lost its final “S
and Brüggli, Kitzbühel the final jump and the traversa. Who knows, perhaps Bormio will shorten the infamous San Pietro next year. What will the people that put themselves to the test and won, fell and risked their lives on these slopes say?

Bode Miller said in Wengen that he was happy that he won the Lauberhorn race on the original slope. He said that it had lost its charm now, and that even the F1 races aren’t driven on straight roads. Drivers and skiers must know how to slow down on turns to a point where they can pull them off. Those, who do that best, are winners, and this is surely the point of these competitions. The problem is that in the beginning of the season we lost 3 or 4 contestants per race, and the FIS had to put a stop to it.

This year’s first training on the Streif passed without casualties, which was not the case in previous years. We’ve already mentioned Daniel Albrecht and Scott Macartney, but Ondrej Bank, Tomas Graggaber, Hans Knauss, Pietro vitalini, Josef Strobl, Brian Stemmle and Andrej Jerman are among them as well, to name just a few. That’s how the Streif myth was formed and that’s why winning this one meant much more than any other; and this shouldn’t change. There should always be a nervous silence at the start of Streif. After all, there are 50,000 people waiting for them at the bottom, ready to proclaim them the winner.

The Mousetrap (Mausefalle), the Slope (Steilhang), the Old Snare (Alte schneise), the Hausbrg break (Hausbergkante) and the final jump (Zielsprung) should remain as they are. Streif should remain intact, because this way, today’s winners are equal to those who won the previous years; and for them, winning Kitzbühel means becoming living legends.

I like to jump, I like to go high and I like to do mellow tricks. I guess I’ve chosen Gloryfy Bastards over the Polish Freeski Open because of that.

This weekend I was invited to hit a 10m high corner jump with a drop-in from a digger’s hand. 8 teams with 2 skiers will compete together for best style, best trick and highest air jump.

SNOWBOARD:
Wolle Beer
Steve Grumser
Corsin “Cuga” Simeon
Davide Beltracchi
Steve Kröll
Rudi Kröll
Manuel Bernert
Jocki Köffler
Reini Rieser
Friedl Kolar
Anthony Smits
Werni Stock
+ 4 more tbc

FREESKI:
Mike Waltl
Martin Misof
Mike Hauser
Kevin Sagmeister
Fabio Studer
Christoph Söllner
Luggi Brucic
Matthias Egger
Bine Zalohar
Dominik Hasibeder
+ 6 more tbc

I’ll be representing Slovenia and hope that Redbull will also give me wings to go high enough!

See us in the air!!!

The mountains of Europe are undeniably some of the best in the world for skiing and snowboarding. Plus, Europe’s long on-the-powder history gives them an edge in resort flavour and development. Though there are hundreds of resorts to choose from sprinkled throughout the mountains of Europe. I think there are some key resorts and mountains worth seeing before you kick the bucket. The next time you’re writing out your own Bucket List (list of things you’ll do before “kicking the bucket”), be sure to include some of these mountain ranges and mountainous resorts in your pre-death itinerary.

Of  Course, The Alps

I don’t really intend on giving you a Wikipedia lesson here, but the Alps in case you were wondering is the name given to several ranges, sub-ranges and sections that start in Austria and carve their way through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, France and Germany (not necessarily in that order). Even without Wiki, you’d probably still know that Mont Blanc is the highest summit of the Alps, over 4800 meters.

Ok, so back to the resorts. Mountains (though beautiful), only becomes accessible with the resorts. If you must see Mont Blanc, then book reservations at Chamonix, with plenty of off-piste and groomed slopes. Other must-stay resorts in the Alps include Cortina in Italy, St. Moritz, Grindewald and Zermatt in Switzerland, and Kitzbuhel and St. Anton in Austria. You can click here to find most of my descriptions by country of each resort I’m talking about.

Ah Oui, The Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are the mountain range that split France and Spain up—something had to. The Pyrenees are quite long and reach east to west across the whole of each country. Two years ago, I backpacked for several weeks along the GR10 trail on the “French side.” The resorts I really like that are in the Pyrenees (Spain and France) are Les Angles nearby to Mont Louis (very full of nature activities), Bareges, La Mongie and Font Romeu, Formigal and La Molina. The Pyrenees also house Panticosa and Baquerira Beret ski resorts, though some of these are not intended for beginner skiers. One of the great things about staying at hotels or resorts in the Pyrenees is their proximity to the stunning European cities, like Barcelona, Spain and Toulouse, France. If you get sore and tired and want a day’s escape (as I often do), it’s not hard to drive down and back up the mountains in one day or less.

Duh, The Dolomites

Though these might be considered by some as part of the Alps, they are situated in Italy, starting in Brenner Pass all the way to Monte Croce Pass. You may have also heard of Marmolada, the highest peak reaching almost 3350 meters. Even if you’re a beginner or intermediate skier, the Dolomites are great because you can always see the jagged scenery around you. Even while whimpering down a kiddy slope, you’ll still feel like you’re skiing some rugged terrain.

The Dolomiti Super Ski area is arguably one of the best skiing deals in Europe, with resort after resort offering some great high-season deals. Don’t miss out on such top-rated resorts as Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, Val Gardena or San Martino di Castrozza. The Dolomites has something for everyone, of every ability. There are over 400 linked lifts and if those can’t get you where you want to go, there are inter-connective buses careening the mountain roads all day long. I love it here for all the choices.

There’s tons of other resorts and at least five or six more mountain systems, so do your research and get out there this year while the snow keeps falling and falling.

It’s great to make progress in skiing; but to have an impact on other kid’s progression, is way cooler.

Last weekend, I won the first stop of the “Quicksilver Slovenia Free-ski Tour”. A series of events throughout the season, intended for Slovenian kids only and designed to introduce them to the free-skiing world and help progress them in skiing through events like these. I couldn’t be more prouder than to see kids jumping on kickers bigger than on most contests. Even if they can’t reach the double cork level, they still keep up with style and confidence to hit the course with flat up-rail, 16m and 15m kicker in the line.

flat rail is fun if you fly out of it

loads of airtime helped me to do easier tricks with ease

representing 4frnt MSP skis…they’re true killing machines

and always good to have photos with my groupies

Next up is the Gloryfy Bastards Invitational event in Zillertal (25m kicker…plenty airtime) stooked!

Europe makes it easy to live an adventurous life. I mean, there’s so many fun things to do no matter the season, from hiking to mountain biking, skiing to snowboarding, kayaking to rock climbing, the terrain makes fun limitless. I guess if you’re still reading this, you want to hear more. The winter months, by all means, is no exception in finding that adventurous something to do. If life has got you pinned down and you’re looking for an adrenaline tap, then look no farther than these unique escapades. Though some skills are necessary to enjoy a winter ski getaway, what I’m talking about today requires no previous skills whatsoever.

No Ordinary Tobogganing

I’ve never really stopped to think what the world really thinks of an adult tobogganer. I mean, if you’re with the kids or being goofy, then it may pass as acceptable. If, however, you’re alone and suggest a day of tobogganing, you may get officially reamed by your friends.

Unless…unless you also mention that you’re going to Europe’s longest tobogganing slope in Val Thorens, France. Perhaps you’ve earned a smirk then. Anyway, this particular toboggan run runs for over 6 km (it takes me nearly 30 minutes to run this distance!) and is Europe’s longest (as far as I know). Instead of riding on an official toboggan, you’ll grab a plastic-y sled-like contraption from the Toboggan Chalet and hitch a ride on the next available gondola to the 3000 meter top. Though daunting at first, just sit down, hold on, and let ‘er fly—you are a proud adult tobogganer. Crashes and wipeouts are likely, by the way.

Update: Supposedly, there’s a 15km toboggan run in Grindelwald, and they use real toboggans-who knew?

Winter Zip Lining

One of the only places in Europe to winter zip line (again, at least as far as I know) is in Kronplatz Plan de Corones in the Dolomites (Dolmiti Superski) in Italy. They say that this is the biggest zip lining in the winter in Europe, and they might be right: With over 3000 meters of track and heights well over 100 meters and speeds in excess of 75 kph, this should break the ice cap from your adrenal gland in no time. The dome mountains in the background—the Plan de Corones—is dotted with great little retreats, villages, getaways and restaurants. Skiing and boarding here is easy if coming for one zip line tour seems too expensive. There are over 100 slopes to choose from and some late night skiing to enjoy after the apres-ski parties.

Winter Paintballing in Madrid

Did I mention, shirtless, if you want. If the rest of the family is off skiing, then you can take a no-skills-necessary trip to Madrid where paintball goes all year round, day and night. Though some may think that you have to have some previous experience, you don’t—just rent the best and fastest gun and the most paintballs and go ape-crazy. If you’re in some sort of cardio shape, just run, dodge and shoot like wild. You can try other strategies, but this will require skills, something I don’t suggest acquiring too soon. This shirtless escapade won’t last long if you’ve end up diving chest-first into the snow.

The Lauberhorn cup has one of the richest histories when it comes to alpine skiing. The Bern Alps were where Alpine Skiing competitions were born. Wengen gained worldwide recognition by hosting the downhill race every year. A race where legends are born and the stories passed down from generation to generation.

The Lauberhorn slope is the longest in the World Cup Championship and Alpine Skiing lovers know all about its famous jumps and turns.

START

The view from the starting point is, by far, the most beautiful of them all. Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are three of the famous mountains that dominate the area. Skiers shouldn’t be distracted by their beauty; they are facing two and a half minutes of hell.

THE RUSSI JUMP

The upper part of the slope is not particularly difficult, so the Swiss commissioned Bernhard Russi, to build an artificial jump that could be broadcasted well and also analysed on TV. Armin Assinger was the first to fall on the jump; he was injured during the training session which took place on the slope.

HUNDSCHOPF

This is what separates the “boys” from the “men”. The passage is very narrow. On the right- hand side there’s a security net, on the left-hand side, just metres of rocks. The jump used to be much longer, but was shortened for security reasons.

THE MINSCH-KANTE

Is minor jump, which inclines to one side requiring the skier to make a turn to the right. In 1965, Jos Minsch didn’t manage to make this turn which resulted in injury. Back in the 60’s, there weren’t any security nets and Minsch fell all the way to the railway tracks; causing him to spend 9 weeks in hospital.

THE CANADIAN CORNER

A long right-hand turn following the Minsch-Kante. The skier has to balance himself on his left ski, whilst handling immense forces as he takes the turn. This part of the course is named after Canadian skiers, Dave Irwin and Ken Read who attacked this turn too aggressively and subsequently fell during the race in 1976.

THE BRÜGGLI “S” or THE KERNEN “S”

A very difficult passage in which to navigate and is usually frozen over at this part of the course.  The skier faces it with speeds of up to 100km/h. The passage is narrow and requires a combination of a right and left turn. The skiers must keep a speed of at least 80kmph when exiting it for a chance to win. It requires an excellent perception of space and quick reactions to pull this S-turn off. The skiers Brüggli and Kernen both had difficulty with it.

THE WATER STATION

The course passes under a funicular railway through a tunnel, but this part isn’t considered as difficult.

LAGENTREIEN

A less steep part of the slope, where the skier can take a breath and think about whether he did well in the Brüggli S or not. It’s essential that the skier has a good technique for sliding and that he turns correctly. It’s impossible to catch up in this section, but a lot of it can be lost.

HANEGGSCHUSS

A very steep part of the slope, with no turns, which results in the skiers reaching 150kmph, the extreme even by downhill standards. The slope is rarely smooth in this area, so it’s difficult to keep balance.

THE FINAL “S”

After two minutes and twenty seconds of skiing, every competitor is already exhausted, but they still have the final S to look forward to. It’s an extremely complicated turn, which is usually frozen. Skiers enter it at great speed and it takes the last of their strength to keep the skis steady and jump into the final arena. Last year the final “S” was widened and the jump shortened, because it was so dangerous. In 1991, Gernot Reinstadler flew into the net during training and died. It was the darkest day in the history of Lauberhorn, and the downhill wasn’t held that year.

Last week I got the opportunity to ride on the world’s biggest freestyle back-country event in Vars.

Great mountains even at 7am!

Events like the Red Bull Linecatcher are the ultimate in our sport. The mix between freestyle skiing and the mountains is one of a kind and the hardest thing in skiing. For this type of skiing, the athlete needs to be in top shape, needs to be aware of avalanches, but also be aware of the risks of skiing in such terrains. It takes a lot of skill to bring all these tricks from the park to the big mountain area and to get away with clean runs, without big falls between the rocks on a steep face. That is why top skiers from all over the world took part in Vars and offered to show their skills to the public. Sage-Cattabriga Alonsa, Cr Johnson, Candide Thovex, Anthony Boronowski, Sean Pettit, Tim Durtchi, Richard Permin, Jp Auclair,…were just but a few names of these great riders.

Tanner Hall broke his tibiae and both knees in the spring, and after 5 surgeries, he still described the event ‘the best event in the season’.

My team mate Cr Johnson shoved me what’s up and at the end took 3rd place..Respect bro!!

After the first day of shredding a meter layer of powder on 2m of base and scooping the line for qualis, I was pretty much lost what to do and how to get down again as big as I can, or can’t. That’s why it was really important for me to take a photo of the face and figure it out that way. On the photo everything looks so easy and small, but when you are out there it’s a different story.

Going through my lines over and over again.

Interviews were the event’s dark side; when you are there you just want to ski, nothing else.

Minutes before the first qualification drop…can you see the line from here? I guess so.

Hiking kept us from freezing…-22 degrees at 7 a.m

The qualifications were heavy. Such good skiing on the Europa’s highest level offered a great show to the public. 12 riders and almost 24 different lines were the point of Red Bull Linecatcher. We killed the face and had a smile on our faces all day long. After qualifications only 2 spots were open for the finals. I couldn’t better Victor and Leo so I had to please myself with only side-watching the finals. In my opinion I did a good job. Did the double set cliff, some small jumps, 360 over the windlip in the first run, a big 360 over the cliff and at the big bottom cliff where I expected a harder impact upon landing. I am happy with this performance on my first ever freestyle/bc event and stoked to get back here next year!

Hucking the bottom cliff and landing it easy