Ski Blog

There is a new type of boot bag out on the market!

The following article is from www.skboot.com

June 2012 (Park City, Utah) – Forget about trying to squeeze your ski boots and helmet into a standard suitcase, or lugging a flimsy ski bag or backpack awkwardly through the airport, hotel, etc. The SKBoot is the new winter holiday must have. This smart, sophisticated bag is roomy enough for a pair of ski or snowboard boots, helmet, clothing and even a laptop. But unlike other ski bags, the SKBoot is outfitted with manoeuvrable wheels, making getting to and from the slopes easy and shoulder-pain free.

SKBoot‘s founder and Head Designer, Caroline Graham, developed the bag after searching all over the world for a better way to carry her ski boots.
“I found that I couldn’t physically carry my ski boots in the boot bags that are currently available as they were too heavy and awkward.
“I knew what I wanted - a ski boot bag on wheels that was smart, practical and looked good, which would fit my not only my ski boots and helmet, but my ski clothing, accessories - and my laptop as well. I wanted a bag that kept all my gear together, was easy to travel with, and in the off-season, could be used as a storage case. That idea became the SKBoot," Caroline said.

The SKBoot comes in two sizes and features six storage compartments including an easy-access main ski boot storage zone, two side pockets, a removable padded laptop/document sleeve, fur lined goggle pouch and a removable wet storage bag with carry straps. Another great feature is zippered air vents so your ski gear is kept in the best possible storage conditions all year long.

SKBoot is located in Park City, Utah.

For more information about and images of the SKBoot bag, please visit www.skboot.com.

click here for more information...

There is some amazing skiing and snowboarding still to be had out in the Alps...

With the latest dumps of snow this week there are reports of snow right down in the villages of Les Allues and resort level in Verbier!

This is offering some fantastic spring skiing for those that are out there this week and heading out in the next few days.

This time of year is often the best time to ski as the days are longer, it is warmer and the resorts are a lot more relaxed.

If you didn't get away this year or fancy a last minute weekend away then we can offer the likes of the Village Montana in Tignes for excellent accommodation in a snow sure resort.

Just call 01350 728869 or email sales@skieuropeonline.co.uk for details

Ski Challenge in St Anton

Mount Everest

There are few challenges that take you to the physical edge and
summiting Mt. Everest is by far one of the most exhilarating and
daunting physical challenges known to man

The Extreme Ski Challenge is a downhill ski event
where in teams of 4 you will downhill ski 5,000 feet
higher than the vertical ascent and descent of Mt
Everest over a period of 48 Hours. This is not for the
faint hearted, (it wouldn’t be an extreme challenge
otherwise!).

The event is a fantastic way to see St. Anton, one of the most beautiful
resorts in the Tyrolean Alps but more importantly, it is an opportunity to
be part of an amazing, unforgettable experience that will bring some
comfort to those with incurable illness and their families.

The Hospice provides specialist palliative care, advice and clinical
support for people with life limiting illness, their families and the
bereaved. The Hospice is based in Pembury and serves a community
of approximately 300,000 over an area of 400 square miles of West
Kent and East Sussex.

The Extreme Ski Challenge is a team endurance event where you will ski
70,000 vertical feet over a two day period. The event is organised by
Vous2 Events Management exclusively in aid of Hospice in the Weald.
Entrants in teams of 4 will ski 35,000 vertical feet on Day 1 and the same
again on Day 2. The event will take place from the 17th -20th March 2012
in St Anton. It costs £185 to register for the Extreme Ski Challenge and
each entrant will need to raise a further £1,750.00 in sponsorship.
Included in this price are flights and transfers, half board accommodation,
(Pre-Race Dinner & Prize giving Dinner) two day lift pass and race
entrance.

You love to ski, now push yourself to the limit and take two days to do
something that you love, but do it for someone you don’t know.

Enjoy skiing or snowboarding, looking for a challenge
and want to raise money for a good cause?
This all inclusive charity ski event is the right thing for you.

Check out www.vous2.com or call 01732 366 317

click here for more information...

News from Val D'Isere

La Folie Douce, the epitome of après-ski in the Alps (Val d’Isère) sees a brand new events calendar for the 2011-12 ski season. Luc Reversade, visionary owner of La Folie Douce, brings world-class DJs, bands and burlesque shows to the slopes of the Alps creating the most incredible parties in the snow. The legendary atmosphere of La Folie Douce officially launches on 9th December with their B4 Winter party. During the ski season Folie Douce will see 1’800 ski bums pass through its doors daily.

Folie Douce is an open-air bar with live musicians, champagne pulley systems, DJs and singers, with some of the finest alpine views, as it is situated 2’400 meters high. This year it brings together a selection of music acts from around the world making everyday an exhilarating experience. Performers like Kely StarLight will perform alongside a brass and percussion band. In addition, MC Big Ali will be performing at their opening party, B4 winter. He is sure to get the crowd entertained with his infamous single Hit the Floor. Each day at Folie Douce is a memorable moment and the place to be for all après-ski lovers...


VIP
The VIP room is furnished with cushions and FAT BOYS creating the most exclusive atmosphere. The cushions provide ample space for rest and relaxation to guests before ascending down the sloped to visit the many bars that Val d’Isere has to offer, especially the sister of La Folie Douce, Café Face. At Folie Douce one can have their skis and snowboards guarded by Folie personnel to add to the VIP experience.


RESTAURANTS:
Two different restaurants make up the food offering. The restaurant “La FRUITIERE” and self service “NUVO SELF”. La Fruitière combines authenticity and modernity, working directly with artisans and local producers. Its cuisine is orchestrated by head chef Franck Mischler, “Master Chef of France” who retains a simple cooking style, creating hearty and delicious meals. Self-service restaurant, Nuvo Self, offers a special area for those who wish to eat at the bar. Although the service is ‘fast-food’ all meals are homemade with traditional recipes. The decoration is second to none combining traditional, modern and chic furnishing creating an exceptional atmosphere.


THE WINE AND CHEESE CELLAR
In a long vaulted room a beautiful guest table flanked by a wine cellar and a cheese maturing cellar was opened in 2007 making it a unique and prestigious area. Aissa Abella, the sommelier and winner of the 2011 “La bouteille blanche” (Best Sommelier of the Alps) offers an extensive variety of wines, many from the renowned regions of France. Moreover, some bottles have been specifically designed for the owner Luke Reversade and Folie Douce.

The all encompassing local cheeses are laid on wooden shelves in their cellar to ensure they mature in the perfect conditions. Some of these include Tamiés, Reblochon, Tomme de Bonneval.

FOLIE SHOP
Finally, the Folie shop was introduced last year, which offers a range of clothing and accessories. The shop has a unique collection of t-shirts, hoodies, caps, etc. For each season along other Folie Douce merchandise.

General information:

Address- Le télécabine de la Daille, Val d'Isère, 73150, France
Telephone number- +33 4 79 06 07 17
Opening times- 7 days a week 12hrs to 17hrs

www.thelifestyle-agency.com

click here for more information...

The latest news from the famous Dick's Tea Bar in Val D'Isere and Meribel

Dick's Tea Bar, the legendary Val d'Isère institution, looks set for even bigger things this coming season with even more surprises. Entrepreneurs Seb Hall and Alex Fateh have reinvested this summer and introduced a brand new comfy après-ski bar, open from 4pm. As the afternoon turns into night, the bar opens up to the larger nightclub area allowing ski bums and nighttime aficionados to dance, as nature intended especially as Dicks stays open until five in the morning.

Dick's and Val d'Isère have gone hand in hand having grown up together for nearly forty years. Dick’s spirit derives from a fun chaotic atmosphere where body shots on the bar are inevitable and chalet-girls dancing on tables lives on from year to year!

New Après-ski Bar:

Those who spent their ski youth partying in Dicks during the 80s and 90s will appreciate the earlier opening times. The new interior is second to none with large comfy sofas, log piles, stone arches and LCD fire screens making you feel right at home. The bar now offers homemade hot chocolate, malt wine and hot butter rum along with their extensive range of beers, wines and spirits. Live DJs are accompanied with music acts on a daily basis and all information for upcoming events is regularly updated on the Dick’s Tea Bar website. Dick’s après bar is the perfect follow up to an afternoon’s skiing or dancing at La Folie Douce!

The Nightclub:

The après-ski bar turn nightclub features a brand new DJ booth, dance floor tables as well as an exceptional VIP area over looking the dance floor. A chauffer service to and from the chalets for those wanting VIP service is available on request. All VIPs are met at the door by the front of house and introduced to their hostess for the evening that will lead them to their table. There will be a full table service with an array of drink choices, from Champagne and Spirits to the infamous Ski-Boot Cocktail!

Last season saw a host of celebrities party the night away at Dick’s Tea Bar, such as; Heston Blumenthal, Sarah Harding, Steve Coogan, Eddie Jordan and Jake Humphries.

Information from the Lifestyle Agency
www.thelifestyle-agency.com

click here for more information...

It is vitally important to make sure you are fully covered...

The mountains are a dangerous place to be especially if you end up in a white out and lose your way. Even on a blue sky day with perfect snow, an out of control skier could fly into you and take you out. Not only that but your prized snowboard that you happily left in the snow outside the restaurant at lunch can be stolen by a sneaky thief so it is vitally important to make sure that you are fully insured for all eventualities.

To make sure that a stolen snowboard or broken leg won't break the bank you must ensure that you have adequate insurance to cover you.

Specialised winter sports insurance is designed to cover all eventualities on your ski trip, such as poor weather, having your skis stolen or losing your lift pass.

The Sunday Telegraph reports...
'According to Direct Line, the insurer, the number of claims made on winter sports policies has remained pretty static over the past few years. Direct Line pays out on about 500 ski insurance claims per year: 44 per cent of these are for medical expenses, 22 per cent for the loss of a ski pass or piste closure and 18 per cent for damage to equipment

Calling out mountain rescue services and flying injured skiers home can prove extremely expensive, so any policy should include both possibilities. Many airlines will require those with leg injuries to lie down during the flight home, occupying more than one seat; this can cost thousands of pounds. Other things you should be covered for include ski equipment, piste closure, inability to ski owing to an accident or loss of your ski pass and avalanche closure. If you plan to ski off piste, check that you’re insurance will cover you.

Some policies exclude off-piste skiing altogether while others provide cover only if you are accompanied by a qualified guide or an instructor. Phil Southgate of Prudential Travel Insurance says: "Travellers should be aware that if they plan to ski off piste they run the risk of being uninsured if not accompanied by a qualified instructor. Skiers who understand exactly what their policy does and does not cover will have peace of mind, so that should the worst happen, their insurer pays out."

We at Ski Europe Online cannot sell insurance as we are only the ski agents and not FSA regulated. However, we insist that every client of ours has insurance that either matches that of the tour operators insurance offered or better and have a link through to MPI brokers who offer comprehensive ski insurance.

Please take our advise and make sure that you are covered for everything on your ski holiday from delayed flights or stolen ski gear right through to off piste skiing and boarding! Insurance is often the last thing on people's minds when they are booking their holiday as they are planning lots of fun for their trip but do remember to make sure you are fully insured and take the contact details and insurance policy with you...

click here for more information...

The snow is coming!

We are all very excited as there is snow in the hills around us in Scotland and over a metre of snow forecast for the Alps.

Maybe it is time to dig out the skis and get excited about the season starting in about 8 weeks time!

Hopefully we will get a wee ski in our local ski areas of Glenshee, Cairngorm, Nevis Range or Glencoe before we head out to the Alps this year as it is just fantastic to ski in Scotland.

We will keep you posted as and when the big freeze comes in. Until then have a look at our ski deals section of the website for the latest special offers and Ski Europe Online discounts!

click here for more information...

Get fit for snow boarding this Winter with our guest blog

Snowboarding demands a great amount of strength in the legs, back and core muscles. It’s also very important to have great flexibility.

Learning to snowboard often means you’ll be falling over plenty and having to get up again, this isn’t the easiest of tasks when both feet are tied into snowboard boots, which are in turn affixed to the snowboard.

I’m sure the more experienced enthusiasts out there all know the benefit of a pre – season fitness regime. For the beginners, there are many reasons why you should get into shape before you endeavour into the world of snow sports.

For one the need to avoid an injury whilst on Holiday, how frustrating would it be to spend potentially thousands on a nice winter break but not make the most of it? Sticking to a fitness plan will make you more toned, fitter, have greater core strength and you’ll enjoy your time on the slopes rather than having to take time off due to a strained muscle or two, let alone the money you’d be wasting.

There are many guides out there to help you, Simply Piste, online retailer for ski wear and accessories in the UK has put this post together to provide you with a basic fitness regime program.

As with any fitness plan, there are two main areas of which you need to focus. These are your diet and nutrition and of course your exercise routine.

Dietary requirements for a snowboarder are foods which provide you with high amounts of energy, regeneration, vitamins and minerals. As with most sports, how serious you are will determine the seriousness of your diet. As this guide is geared towards beginners we recommend a steady diet, but not one that’s too depriving.

In short, your pre – season diet should contain a mixture of fresh and whole foods such as:
• A healthy dosage of Fruit and vegetables every day. Sounds obvious and I’m sure you hear this phrase a lot. However, getting the recommended daily amount will provide you with healthy acids, sugar, hydration, anti-oxidants and high levels of vitamins and minerals. These will all help to boost the energy and the recovery rate of the body.
• Lean Meats – Ideally, you should look to cook with chicken breast, fish (includes great omega oils) and pork loin. These particular meats can provide you with the right proteins to help support muscle growth and recovery. Helping to ensure you get the most from your exercise sessions. If you prefer a vegetarian option, feel free to try whole nuts, whole grains, cereals, beans, lentils, Quorn products, soya products, and other protein supplements such as protein powder shakes.
• Carbohydrates – Foods such as Pasta, whole grain rice, Potatoes, varieties of beans, cereals and other wheat products help to keep sustained energy levels in your body. Most carbs work in small releases which is ideal if you’re exercising more often than not.
• Glucose – Keeping your body refilled will help retain muscle recovery after your exercises. A recipe such as low fat yogurt, honey and sliced banana followed by a protein shake is the ideal after workout snack. Think of it as recharging your muscles after a hard work out. Some sources also recommend a ratio of 4:1 of carbohydrates to proteins for refilling your glycogen stores.
• Hydration – Water is the most important nutrient for life and has many important functions. Such as regulating temperature, transporting nutrients and waste through the body and lubricating joints. Adequate fluid intake during exercise is very important. It promotes comfort, performance, recovery and safety. The amount you should take on board depends on individual variability. You hear the phrase “8 glasses a day”, this would all depend on your weight, the amount you exercise and other dietary factors. Just remember to stay hydrated before, during and after exercises. Also, don’t assume because you’re not thirsty that you’re not dehydrated. Drinking water at regular intervals through the day can have great health benefits and break down high water retention caused by over salty foods.

The Fitness Plan
Stress is heavy on the core and leg muscles in particular. The key muscles to strengthen are your thighs, calves, back, abs, shoulders and arms. Coupled with this is the need to improve flexibility within the body, especially in the ankles, hips and shoulders.

Improving flexibility: Flexibility is not something to be taken lightly but everyone has different flexibility needs. Most of us require some corrective exercise stretches, helping to improve posture and balance. Some great tips for improving flexibility are to take on some yoga classes followed by cardio up to three times a week.

You should take note that whilst improving your balance and flexibility. You must focus on improving core strength and spinal stabilisation. This will help your strengthening exercises become more productive and help you avoid injuries. Many of us suffer from injuries due to bad posture putting stress on and affecting our spinal stabilisation. Great core strength is the key.

Strengthening: Spend at least 20 minutes twice a week doing:
10 to 20 single leg squat reps.
10 to 15 step-ups, add a weight in each hand.
10 to 15 front lunges, each leg.
20 to 30 abdominal curls
10 back raises
15 to 20 shoulder pulls

You can also try keeping in shape during the summer months. Activities such as running, hiking and bike riding help to keep your strength and flexibility up. Make sure to always perform a warm up and cool down, including stretches. Check out the following video for the top three snowboard training mistakes made. You Tube Video

If muscle strain does occur on the slopes, the following should help:
• Rest – Don’t be tempted to get back onto the slopes too soon.
• Ice – In plentiful supply, an Ice pack should be applied to the injury as soon as possible, in order to reduce the soft tissue swelling.
• Compression – Strapping the injury also helps to keep swelling down, but it also enables easier movement with reduced risk of further damage.
• Elevation – Keep the injured body part elevated and supported.
For more serious injuries, please seek advanced medical advice from a qualified medical professional.

click here for more information...

The largest ski school in France has launched a UK website where you can access all the information you need on your ski lessons

ESF launch new UK based web site

The biggest ski school in France with over 16,000 instructors in over 250 resorts, the École du ski Français (ESF) have launched a UK web site. The new site has all the information required for learning a winter sport discipline through the ESF with a particular emphasis on the teaching techniques.

With the increase of English speaking instructors (8000 and growing) the web site has been designed to explain the fundamentals of the ESF programme and to highlight the benefits of using ESF when on holiday. Aimed at British visitors to the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Vosges, and Massif Central mountain ranges, both new and existing mountain sport enthusiasts can explore, and even watch, ESF tuition through one site well in advance of reaching the mountains.

Whether you are an individual, a party leader for a small group or an established tour operator, the ESF UK site contains everything you need from the history of the ESF through to an interactive map showing all the resorts and their individual facilities.

There is a section dedicated to the explanation of all the disciplines of winter sports from Alpine Skiing to Handiski to ensure you have all the information needed before you choose your preferred sport.

Then, not only can you read a detailed explanation of a lessons objectives and goals but you can then use the Video Booth to view a vast array of videos showing every level of learning for all the disciplines and see exactly how these goals and objectives will be reached. Everything from a snowplough turn to pulling a 180 in the park is explained and demonstrated.

The Interactive Map acts as a gateway to the wonders that await a winter sport enthusiast at one of the 250 resorts where the ESF operate. It allows the browser to view the ESF facilities available in each resort with an option to connect to the ESF website for a chosen resort for booking purposes. Although the web site does not actually act as a booking system for lessons the site guides you easily and efficiently through the process of choosing the correct level of lesson for your desired sport.

The ESF are constantly adapting their techniques, facilities and services to accommodate new trends and technical advances. As a non-profit making organisation they continually re-invest into the ski school to ensure they remain the market leaders throughout France.

In summary, the web site provides a great insight into the workings of the premier French Ski School and allows its browser to equip themselves with a full knowledge of all areas of winter sport tuition.

click here for more information...

Jet 2 is increasing it's flight routes from Scotland out the the Alps this Winter - great news for ski weekends!

This is fantastic news for Scottish skiers as it will give Easyjet and Fly Be a bit of competition to sell their seats and gives us skiers a variety of options on where to fly, who to fly with and when.

For skiers and boarders in England and Wales, there are plenty of regular flights from most regional airports as well as the London airports. Skiers in these areas are well used to being able to either drive, get the train or hop on a quick flight to the Alps for a weekend getaway.

Easyjet flies every day in the Winter from Edinburgh to Geneva and even has a second later flight running on the busier dates. They fly from Glasgow 3 times a week. Flights are from £23 one way. Fly Be also offers Scottish skiers an escape to the Alps with flights from Edinburgh to Geneva, Chambery and Salzburg and Glasgow flights to Geneva 3 times a week.

Therefore, it is great news that Jet2 are reported to be running flights from Glasgow to Geneva and from Edinburgh to Chambery and Salzburg. This will give a good variety of flights for Scottish skiers and boarders to choose from and opens up the resorts available for ski weekends and tailor made ski holidays where you are looking for the shorter transfer time.

Flights to Geneva will offer skiing and boarding in resorts that are just an hour away. Chamonix, Verbier, Courmayeur and Morzine are all close by. For family skiing Les Gets and Flaine are also just about an hour's transfer.

Chambery opens up short breaks and tailor made ski holidays into the Tarentaise resorts of Tignes, Val D'Isere, La Plagne, Les Arcs and the 3 Valleys. These are all within easy reach from Chambery and offer a huge amount of amazing skiing whether you stay for a few days or a full week.

Salzburg gives availability for ski holidays in Saalbach, Hinterglem, Kitzbuhel and the likes of Zell am See

All you need to do is check out your Fly Be, Jet 2 or Easyjet flights and let us know your preferred dates of departure and we will sort out your transfers and accommodation for you.

Have a look through the website at the different resorts and just call or email with your enquiries and we will have you booked up nice and quickly saving you the hassles of contacting hotels, chalets or apartments directly out in resort

click here for more information...

Slovenia and Bulgaria, tucked away in Eastern and Southern Europe, are great landing spots for travellers.

Slovenia and Bulgaria, tucked away in Eastern and Southern Europe, are great landing spots for travellers. Various landscapes offer something for everyone. Being kissed by the Alps gives these beautiful countries a wonderful opportunity to really cater to skiers.

Borovets

Bulgaria’s oldest winter resort with a history of skiing going back to 1896. This resort is the biggest and most modern in Bulgaria and is just 12km from the capital city, Sofia. The winters are mild but with plenty of crisp powder snow. There is 45km of Skiing and is good for all abilities lots of green runs for the beginners and red and black bowls for the more advanced skiers. The resort also has 14 snow cannons installed to make sure you have plenty of coverage. Borovets ski holidays are renowned for the après ski and the town has a reputation for really going-to-town to look after you with music, shows, happy hours, and a cut above the standard clubs in terms of the DJ’s and Bands.

Bansko

Offering the longest ski season in Bulgaria, the Bansko Ski Resort boasts top of the line facilities. Recently, a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade the resort and ski areas was completed. Even more hotels and resort options are currently being constructed. Bankso ski holidays offer fantastic value and a great town for nightlife though it is always worth checking current snow levels in Bulgaria.

Kranjska Gora

Situated on the Julian Alps in Slovenia is Kranjska Gora. There are many hotels available, including one that offers an incredible 2000 beds. Kranjska Gora not only serves as a ski resort during the winter, in the summer months it transforms to a walking, hiking, and biking wonderland. The men’s downhill event of the Vitranc Trophy World Cup is hosted here.

Koroska

Skiing in the Alpines began more than 100 years ago in Koroska. A variety of terrains are found on Mount Urslja Gora. There is something for everyone from expert to recreational. On average, the season is 100 days long. Two lifts are in operation and the slopes can handle 2000 skiers an hour. Nearby Ivarčko Jezero Lake allows visitors to enjoy boating, swimming, and more.

Kanin

Home to some extremely fun yearly competitions is Kanin. The Freeride Battle takes place every year in either February or March. Every Easter Monday, long-time fans of the sport gather to show off their downhill skills using their antique skis and other equipment during the Emaus event. Kanin is very accommodating, with a 15,000 person per hour capacity. Mountain hikers have made Kanin a popular spot during the summer season as well.

Krvavec

Offering a minimum of 100 days, with up to an amazing 150 days of skiing, Krvavec has something for everyone. Beginners all the way through experts and competitors will be able to find a trail for them. More than 13,000 skiers can be accommodated per hour. Panoramic helicopter rides are available, along with a large array of other entertainment.

In total, there are dozens of ski resorts located in this gorgeous part of the world. No matter what a traveller is looking for, they will be able to find it and experience the vacation of a lifetime.

Just call 01350 728869 or email sales@skieuropeonline.co.uk for your next ski holiday

This is a guest post written by James a Travel writer and Ski Enthusiast from London who loves to try new powder and trying to be more eco-friendly.

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Ski Europe Online heads off on holiday

As we work all the hours that we can during the winter months finding the best chalets and ski holidays for our clients, we like to take a wee break in the Summer months. Usually this is just a weekend here and there sailing or visiting friends and family. However, we took a whole week off this time to explore the Outer Hebrides.

The crew for this trip were my family, mother, father, father in law and our dear friend Robin who flew over from Geneva. Ptarmigan is a 47 ft Malo that belongs to my father in law and is just beautiful. We are very lucky to be able to sail on her for the odd weekend and to get away for a whole week was fantastic.

We travelled up to Gairloch to meet the boat and join the trip from there. We sailed across to the Shiants with about 100 common and bottle nosed dolfins which was just stunning as they swam with us for about an hour. This was of course followed by a sea eagle whilst we sailed through the Sound of Harris, porpoises, masses of seals in the Monach Isles and a couple of basking sharks so a full packed nature week which is just the best...

We sailed to Scalpay Harris, Taransay, the Monach Isles, Lochmaddy, Wizard Pool, Canna and finally home to rest in Tobermory. A fun filled trip full of happy memories to take with me into the winter! I had never been to Taransay before and believe that it is the most stunning and remotest beach that I have been to on the West Coast of Scotland. (apart from St Kilda as you can't get any more remote! See our Summer holidays page for a pic) Even Daisy couldn't resist jumping in for a swim - who needs the tropical waters of Antigua when this is closer to home?

Now it is back to work and updating the website with the latest special offers and deals for you to look at. Our resort of the month is Les Arcs where you will get an extra £50 discount from your booking if you book in July!

click here for more information...

Val Thorens is the Ski Europe Online Resort of the Week

We have chosen Val Thorens as our resort of the week because it is one of the highest resorts in the Alps therefore giving the guarantee of good snow even if the lower resorts such as Les Gets are suffering.

The Cime de Caron is one of the best ski runs to blast down and really get the legs burning, there is also plenty of off piste and touring to do with a guide. The reds and blues are lovely and wide for cruising down and it is easy to hop over to Meribel or Courchevel in the same day for lunch - just keep an eye on the weather as you really do not want to pay the taxi ride home if they close the lifts due to high winds! When I worked in a chalet in Meribel we had guests who became stuck in Val Thorens and they were not amused at the cost of the taxi home!

The apres ski is fun in Val Thorens with events on throughout the season. The Frog and Roast Beef is a good place to start.

Check out our Ski Deals page for details on half price lift passes, discounted chalets, free nights and discounted ski hire...

click here for more information...

Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn...

Sammi and Dugs Portes du Soleil

After my little girl Daisy was born in 2006, my whole priority in life changed and I just couldn’t go back to the role of office manager as it entailed long hours in the office and being on call 24/7.

Daisy coming into the world gave me the fantastic opportunity to work from home as a ski agent for Skiline for a couple of years whilst she grew from baby to toddler. I managed to make a living whilst spending quality time with Daisy which I believe is very important and thank Skiline for giving me the opportunity to do this. I then returned to Ski Activity in 2008, however, this was the year the recession really hit and the last year that they traded as a tour operator.

‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover’ Mark Twain

In May 2009 I decided it was time to take the plunge. This lead me to the doors of the Travel Trust Association where I proudly received my bonding for running a ski agency and started what I have always wanted to do and have been brought up to do - run my own business.

I truly haven’t looked back and put all my energy and enthusiasm into running Ski Europe Online and Ski America Online. As I have worked in the industry for years, I know our customer’s expectations and always listen to what their ideal ski holiday is. I just love putting together ski holidays and hearing about their adventures in the Alps and North America on their return.

I hope that gives you an idea of who we are and where we have come from. Do have a look through the website and let us know what you think as we always value feedback and anyway, we just love our customers to call for a chat about skiing in general!

Fancy some new luggage

There is a new type of boot bag out on the market!.. Read more »

Fantastic End of Season Skiing

There is some amazing skiing and snowboarding still to be had out in the Alps..... Read more »

Fancy a Ski Challenge for Charity?

Ski Challenge in St Anton.. Read more »