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Hi all,

Here I simply wanted to share a video about the Trois Vallées (Three valleys) ski domain in France. Filmed as the cameraman/woman was skiing down hill, the video really gives you a good impression of what to expect if you were to ski in the 3 Vallées.
It is not said to be the biggest skiable domain in the world for nothing, and from the video, the big space, the never ending mountain chain, the interminable view above the clouds, can really be appreciated and sensed.
And if you are not familiar with this skiable domain, then you need to know that it is home to some of the best known resorts, not only in Europe, but also in the World.

Enjoy and have fun watching the video!!!

Should you feel tempted to go to France to ski the Trois Vallées, which include the ski resorts of La Tania, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Saint Martin de Belleville, Brides Les Bains, Méribel Mottaret, we advise you to vist our website page where you’ll be sure to find snowboard and ski holidays, book hotels and other accommodation to please your wishes.

A big thank you to jimgrieve72 who did the video.

There are many traditional ski resorts and alpine communities in France and one of them is Megève. Guests love to visit the Megève’s skiing area known as Domaine Évasion Montblanc. Megève and the entire Domaine Évasion Montblanc have the best ski slopes in Europe. There are excellent hotels in Megève that will meet everyone’s preferences, budget and requirements.

One of the best Megève hotels is HMC Hotel l’Arboisie. This hotel is centrally located on Mount Arboise Road and offers one of the most fantastic views of the village. This hotel offers beautifully appointed and spacious rooms perfect for guests looking for an ideal mountain resort experience. Another tourist accommodation that boasts of breathtaking views of the mountains is Lodge Park. The proximity of the Lodge Park Hotel to the casino gives their guests an alternative activity during the evenings.

Another hotel in Megève that has a great view of the mountains is Au Coin du Feu. The welcoming atmosphere of this charming hotel will give you that feeling of a home away from home. Guests will love to have a quiet and romantic dinner in their cozy restaurant that serves a wonderful blend of European dishes.

One of the most recommended Megève hotels is Le Fer de Cheval located in the heart of the village. This quaint and beautifully maintained hotel offers excellent cuisine surrounded by antiques in rustic settings. It is not cheap but the price you pay for the experience of staying in Le Fer de Cheval is worth it.

There are many other hotels in Megève that cater for couples, families and groups. All the hotels in Megève offer great service and are sure to make your holiday a memorable experience.

For a full listing of Megève hotels, we advise you to visit the following link http://www.mountvacation.com/en/france/megeve/, where you will be able to read reviews, view pictures and tariffs of all the accommodation found in Megève

MountVacation, mountain and ski accommodation provider, with more than 3800 properties across the best resorts in Europe, has pimped its site with a brand a new feature on its destinations and hotels pages: the long awaited ski pistes maps.
As from now, when making a reservation for you next ski holidays or just browsing the site for special deals, ski holidays, accomm0odation or more generally for information, you’ll also be able to view the maps of the ski slopes on specific ski resorts. The Ski maps show the start and end of each track within a chosen resort or ski area, but also the colour of each them: green, blue, red or black, according to the level of difficulties, with black being the hardest.

Alternatively, if you’re browsing hotels, then the ski maps showing the location of the accommodation according to tracks around. Mountvacation listened to its clients and understood that it is indeed a crucial information to provide to its visitors.

As you know, ski maps are essential information to any hardened or beginner skier or snowboarder who desire to book their ski holiday. Ski pistes maps are courtesy of Snowranger.com, the map provider for Garmin GPS equipment giant. As you will notice not all the resorts have their maps, although the main ones are covered, But fret not, as we are in the progress of adding more ski maps, the aim being to provide evry single skiing area with a details maps of its skiing tracks. MountVacation obviously tries to update as many of the resorts as is possible, and will notify its clients as soon as they will be available on the site. In the mean time, you can visit our website which displays enough information to help you plan the vacation of your expected on slopes.
In addition, MountVacation is pleased to announce that it will also be very soon including snow reporting, current weather conditions, weather and snow forecast as well as the history of snow fall for the last 10 years within a given region or locality. This will be added to the site soon, and a notification will be sent once operational.
To view some of the ski maps just visit a destination or accommodation in http://www.mountvacation.com/, where you will also have the chance to book your long awaited, hard earned ski holidays.

Arabba is a small town in the area of the Dolomites mountain range in Italy. It is one of the ski villages in the Veneto region, the other ski villages are in the South Tyrol. To ski in Arabba is one of the best skiing experiences. This is one of the most exciting ski resorts in Italy. It is in the Marmolada Mountain, tagged as the Queen of the Dolomites, where most people ski in Arabba. The Arabba village is a great starting point to access the ski slopes.
There are also mountain ridges or passes that surround Arabba; the Passo Camplongo is a towering area between Alta Badia, Corvara and Arabba. The Passo Pardoi is connected by lifts to the area above the resort of Canazei and the Passo Pordon connects the skiers to the Malga Ciepela area and the Marmolada zone. To ski in Arabba and also in its neighboring areas is a must for ski lovers.
Those who do not want to ski in Arabba Italy can participate in the many other activities this place has to offer visitors. A visitor can also try trekking or hiking in the area. There are many tours suggested for people to try. One of these is The Hunter’s Track, where visitors hike through a circular path that will start and end in Arabba and will pass along Cherz Plateau. Visitors can also try the Strada Da La Vena tour where they will come across the alpine forests, wooden hay sheds and pastures. They will also learn the history of Colle Santa Lucia where the Andraz castle is located and where mining is done. Viel Dal Pan is another tour package that follows an easy path from Passo Pordoi and reaches the crest of Portavescovo. Here visitors will see the remarkable views of Lake Fedaia and Marmolada.
A visit to the Arabba village during the summer won’t go to waste. This place is also famous for its recreational activities during the summer such as mountain biking, mountain climbing and cycling. People won’t only love to ski in Arabba but will also have fun with their family and friends participating in the many activities that this memorable destination has to offer. Simply visit Mountvacation.com main site here, and browse through the Arraba hotels as well as other accommodation on offer.

St. Anton is a small town in Western Austria. It is located near the Rosanna River and is part of the Albert group of ski resorts. St. Anton boasts of being one of the best ski resorts in Western Austria and is also famous for hosting the World Alpine Ski Championship in 2001. What’s best about St. Anton is its wide slope for skiers, enhanced lift system, snowboarding ground and hefty snowfall. St. Anton is not only famous for its ski slopes, it is also well-known for having the best shopping, café, bar scenes and restaurants that offer some of Austria’s famous dishes. Eating at a recommended restaurant in St. Anton is the best way to relax after a long day of skiing and snowboarding.
Austrian cuisine is inspired by that of different countries such as Germany, Hungary and Italy. Dumplings and pancakes are two common dishes that you will undoubtedly see on the menu in many a restaurant in St. Anton. If you want to taste some of the typical Austrian cuisine, you can visit Fuhrmannstube and Trödlerstube. These two restaurants are well known for their very generous servings that will surely satisfy your hunger.
Mooserwit, another popular St. Anton’s restaurant, claims to serve some of the best traditional Austrian dishes that guests will definitely love. Visitors on a tight budget can try the Funky Chicken and Rodelalm on Gampen, which offer good food at affordable prices. Good places for snacks are Pomodoro and KrazyKanguruh where the burgers and pizza are said to be the best in town. The traditional Fondue is one of the most commonly served desserts in St. Anton and is definitely something to look forward to after a delicious meal. Restaurants in St. Anton take pride in their high quality meals and customer service to ensure that no customer leaves without being 100% satisfied.

I spent this weekend with a friend of mine filming at Vogel, Slovenia. We built a nice step-down jump over the road with had a great view of the mountains behind. A perfect place to make a cool trick over and get away with a clean shot which could be published on an internet page, ski magazine or on a commercial.

Performing tricks in the park are usually much more easier easier to do than in the great back-country of the Alps. The big difference between doing a jump in a park or in the back-country is often it’s location. Doing one in the back-country often has a rough landing zone which is covered with trees. It’s often short with no pop at the end and also it’s often narrow and the in-run is hardly skiable without a good knowledge of skiing. Below I have set out, in my opinion, 7 ways of progressing from park to back-country jumping:

1. get really comfortable with a trick in the park
2. find a nice open place with steep landing and without trees in it
3. locate the area where you can build the jump and making sure that you will have enough speed to clear the gap
4. get focused on the trick and landing before getting counting the number of tries (max 3)
5. land the trick with perfection
6. check the shot with your photographer and cameraman
7. take a rest, go for a beer at a lodge on the hill

These are just a few tips for all you free-ride and free-style skiers out there. Be careful that the location is not exposed to avalanches and that the weather is perfect.

On the Cheap Ski Destinations for ‘09 & ‘010

A bad economy got you, your family, your pocket book or your bank account down these days? Maybe you’re like me and your life partner recently lost her job? Well, here’s how I feel about it: I can either let the winter blues get me glum till hit I hit rock bottom, or I can take advantage of some of the rock bottom deals taking place all across Europe this ski season. You see, the smarter resorts have lowered and molded prices to fit the flailing economy, and this keeps visitor numbers and profits up—this is good for you and for them. At any rate, rather than sit at home and count your dwindling centimes, it’s better to count all the savings you’ll have this year in Terry’s “On the Cheap Top Picks” ski holiday destinations guide. (This is just a small list of many deals spanning the EU.)

Andorra:
Vallnord Ordino, Arcalis: There’s not a whole lot of ski runs per se in Arcalis, but the deals are hot enough to melt the snow this winter—don’t worry, they won’t. For the price of a disco entrance and a drink in places like Italy and France, Andorra has some economy-considerate deals with hotel stays for as low as 50-some Euros per night. Ski passes may even drop lower than the usual 160-Euro high-season, six-day cost to boot. I could stay for a month at prices like that even with my penny-pinching lifestyle.

Austria:
Solden Glacier: Believe it or not, even the most popular and hottest places to ski this year have some of the sweetest and economy-thoughtful deals. Austria always has a long ski season so they know that even if they offer deals—like almost 10% pre-season—they’ll make up the loss with the influx of cut-rate skiers (like myself). One of the apartments goes for 265 Euros per night for a six person apartment. Allow me to do the math: that’s 43 Euros per night for an apartment in Austria. Get a good deal with Ryan Air or Easyjet and that’s about as close as one can get to “on the cheap” this year.

France:
Alpe d’Huez: Some resorts in Alpe d’Huez in the central French Alps are basically handing out keys to free rooms this year. OK, it’s not that great but it’s close: Take 40% off…heck go ahead and pay 50—no, 48—Euros per night for a self-catered studio apartment; that doesn’t do it for you, fine…try a French chalet for 17 Euros per person (if you fill the 14 person chalet with 13 of your friends). The ski pass is always under 200-Euros for six-days likewise. Even Val Thorens is jumping in offering some 20% off the ‘09-’010 ski holiday. The French, sacrebleu, have some of the premier deals this season.

Switzerland:
Saas-Fee: When I travel to Europe in any season, I know that a room will cost me, at least I tell you, 50 Euros per night, except Switzerland. That is, until now: For 50 Euros per person per night, you can stay in a four person apartment, or for a few Euros more, a three room four-person apartment in Saas Fee for around 50 Euros. If the 150 or so slopes don’t draw you here, then the roughly 200 Euro six day slope prices might. Switzerland may be where shady business folk go to hide their evasive monies, but it’s also a great place to ski on the cheap this winter (and spend your existing monies).

Other Considerations:
Italy, Spain and Slovenia are also offering up some economy-sensitive bargains. You won’t have to feed your family on a staple of beans and rice to take your ski holiday this year, either. Just be on the lookout for deals that offer all-inclusiveness, slope discounts and places where groups get kudos for being bigger. I only tell you this because I am at the bottom of the proverbial totem poll this year in earnings, and if I can have a ski holiday, then by Almighty, you can too.

My skiing slang may in fact be very different than your slang, if you get my (snow) drift. However, skiing words—like snowboarding—has evolved into something of a different language. The way you say something, indeed, will determine if others understand what you’re talking about. Should you find yourself on the snowy slopes of Austria, France, Spain, Slovenia or elsewhere, it’s a good idea to jot a number of these down to throw into the (English) conversation. Though many of these are intended to be funny, some aim to really teach you something—imagine that, me teaching you something, laughable at best. At any rate, here are some words, phrases and their meanings to get you skiing smoothly through the next round table of ski-talk.

Après-ski: If you are quintessentially American and speak only one language, then “après” in French means “after”. Après-ski literally means “after ski(ing)”. Generally, it’s used in unison with nightlife and what a resort has to offer off-slope.

Crash landing: This is when you perform a neat-o trick mid-air but then really boink the ending. That is, the landing wasn’t good at all and you probably crashed.

Face Plant: Falling, landing or tripping flat on your face. Not pretty. Hurts. Sometimes funny.

Biff: This one is easy to remember if you’ve ever seen the trilogy “Back to The Future.” Biff is when your body hits the slope but somehow you recover quickly and ski the rest of the way down.

Bomb Hole: A hold left by a bomb? Nope. This is the landing mark you make after catching some air and then landing in the snow. A heavier person might leave a bigger bomb hole than a skinnier person.

Bono: (This one is so wrong.) To pull a Bono means to face plant into a tree while skiing downhill (for Sonny Bono). Hopefully this doesn’t lead to death but only a mild concussion.

Carving: This happens when you turn your ski and make a nice half moon and stop (generally) without face planting.

Choco Chips: These are rocks that poke up out of the snow. They look like chocolate chunks inside a cookie or biscuit.

Freshie: If you get to the slope early enough then you might get to experience freshie. This is what the snow is called when it’s unskied.

Lift Licker: When you, your kid, or your partner decides it’s a good idea to lick the lift, which can cause one’s tongue to stick to the metal on the lift.

Off-Piste: This is part of the slopes that are not groomed by snow machines. These may be through the trees or even in the backcountry.

Planker: This is a word used to designate a skier, not a snowboarder.

Sick: This is often used to describe something that is extreme or hard. It is often interchanged with wicked, which has the same connotations of dangerous-ness.

Snotsicle: If you’ve ever had snot frozen to your lip, chin, beard or goatee, then you’ve had a snotsicle. These might be salty to the taste, however. Gross!

Even if you’ve never stuck your ski poles into fresh resort snow, you probably still know the basics of what to take on a skiing holiday. I mean, anyone can guess skis, ski boots, ski poles, perhaps a helmet, gloves, warm socks and so on, right? The same holds true for snowboarding I would guess too: snowboard, boots, helmet, perhaps a tailbone pad, gloves and the like. Well, since we all know what to bring for skiing, it’s time to create a list to bring for comfort. I always try to pack things that will make my trip not only fun but also more enjoyable. Here’s what to bring if you’ve ever caught yourself saying things like, “Oh, man my lips are chapped.” or “The sun is sure bright today.” or “My hands [or feet] are freezing.”

“My hands or feet are freezing.”

Let’s start with probably the number one complaint while on the slopes. One of my favourite tricks for keeping my hands and feet extra toasty while battling Mother Nature’s winter fury is to pack hand warmers. I know of two kinds: the kind that you sort of crack that produces a chemical heat and the kind you light a carbon stick with a lighter and put inside a protective box. I prefer the latter because it’s cheaper, and I find the kind of heat produced by it more pleasant. These babies keep my hands almost sweaty which sure beats the fingernail-pull feeling of fingertips going numb!

“I don’t know where the h&@#$* I’m at.”

I use to carry my cell phone with me just in case I found myself lost, if that makes any sense—if it does then you probably have too. In any event, if you’ve ever muttered “I’m lost” or an above variation, then you should carry a trail map with you. Ok, sounds simple enough but I run into skiers and boarders all the time that don’t have a map with them. “All the slopes lead down, mate.” I was once told. I wanted to punch that dude, trust me. Just ask your hotel lobby informant or take a quick visit to the tourist office to get the most up-to-date trail and piste map.

“The sun is bright today.”

Most people bring either glasses or goggles to protect from the glare of the sun. Others, however, walk around with frozen water droplets splattered on their glasses and goggles. To avoid this, if I may suggest, is to bring a small chamois or lens cloth. I find myself cleaning my goggles almost every time I’m on the cable or gondola lift. Trust you me, once you find yourself on the Harakiki in Mayrhofen (Zillertal) in Austria for minutes at a time for example, you’ll have to use an ice scraper on your goggles to see clearly again.

“I sure get hungry and thirsty while on the pistes.”

If you ever get the munchies while skiing, then you should always carry a snack or two plus water or drink with you. I enjoy trail mix or an energy bar but sometime I crave a simultaneous sugar and caffeine buzz. If this happens, I like to take my favourite candy or chocolate bar. Chocolate is a notorious snack that gives you everything you need to stave off a large meal that would make you sleep rather than ski or snowboard.

Though you shouldn’t eat it, I like also to take sunscreen, chapped lip salve, a padlock (or money change) for lockers and (to be sure) my favorite apres-ski clothes. “You are not wearing that are you?” my girlfriend has never ceased asking. “What, I like them tight,” I always retort.

Before you go:

1- Choose a destination. Of course, ski resorts are like anything else, fame equals high prices, but it just might not be what you need. Consider the maximum distance you wish to travel, the ski/snowboard abilities of everybody travelling with you, as well as the services and installations you cannot go without. Medium-size and smaller resorts, say Puy St. Vincent, France, could have an offer that exactly corresponds to your needs and wishes, but at a much lower cost than, say, Zermatt, Switzerland.

2- Consider all costs when choosing your destination. When you compare costs between two ski resorts, make sure to you consider ski passes, but also the average price of restaurants, ski schools, equipment hire and accommodation, and also transport to and in the resort (airfare, car hire and shuttle).

3- Call the tourist office. The tourist office definitely should be the first place you call once you’ve chosen your destination. You can get learn about very interesting deals and packages, and get insight on when to go. For example, at Easter kids ski for free in Saalbach.

4- Study all-inclusive packages carefully before you buy. It happens that these packages (that include airfare, accommodation, ski passes, equipment hire, etc.) are more expensive than if you purchased all items separately from different suppliers. It can also happen that they include goods or services you do not need nor intend to use but will pay for anyway with a package. Making your own package takes time, but it may be worth it!

5- Book ahead. Plane tickets, accommodation, equipment hire, and everything else you can book ahead deserve to be. Many providers offer first minute discounts that can be quite interesting, and you’re sure you’ll get the exact dates, accommodation or equipment you want.

6- Go for self-catering instead of a half-board or full-board. Apartments are usually the cheapest and most practical accommodation option, especially for families and larger groups. One exception: if you really don’t want to cook on vacation and intend to eat all your meals in restaurants, then it could be wise to opt for an accommodation providing half-board or full-board service.

Once you’re there

7- Visit the tourist office. Once you get to destination, make the tourist office your first stop to gather information about promotions and free activities going on. Many resorts offer some kind of club card or discount card that can be purchased at the tourist office.
8- Eat in instead of out. Whenever you can, shop at the grocery store and prepare meals using your accommodation’s installations. Pack a lunch when you leave for the day or get informed on the restaurants offering low-cost lunch menus.