Oulx train station

We’re all becoming aware of our carbon footprint and we’re constantly being reminded of how large it is when booking our flights. This year a brand new independant web site has been launched aimed at encouraging those booking winter holidays to consider taking the train.

According to snowcarbon.co.uk – “All travel has a price in terms of harmful emissions, but if you take the train rather than fly to a ski resort you can slash your carbon footprint by up to 90%.

A round trip by plane to the Italian resort of Sauze d’Oulx, for example, produces around 180kg of CO2, according to the carbon emission analysts, Best Foot Forward.

Don’t think you’ll be helping the environment by driving there. An average car making the same journey will produce 450kg of CO2.

By contrast, a return trip to Sauze by rail – with just a single change of trains in Paris – produces only 20kg of CO2. So you could have a ski holiday every winter for the next nine years and create the same carbon footprint as another skier flying just once.”

When you take everything into consideration then travelling by train makes more sense than just reducing your carbon footprint. If you set of from London on the 9am Eurostar then you could be in Sauze in time for an aperitif before dinner. The journey its self would have been hassle free, scenic, relaxing and there are no luggage charges!

For more information visit www.snowcarbon.co.uk

An emotional Hermann Maire at the press conference

Hermann Maier the Austrian skiing legend has decided to retire from competitive skiing it was announced on Tuesday. Speaking at the press conference he said “I have decided to bring to an end my career as a competitive skier. After a lot of thought, the decision just made itself spontaneously.”

His career nearly came to an end in 2001 after he suffered an horrific motor bike accident which left his lower leg shattered. It was testament to his physical and mental condition that he went on to win 2 Olympic medals, both in Sestriere, gold in Giant slalom at the World Championships in Bormio and a silver in Super G when the worlds were held in St Moritz in 2003.

In total he won 54 World cup races (24 super-G, 15 downhill, 14 Giant slalom and 1 Combined), 10 World Cup discipline titles, 6 World Champ medals, 4 Olympic medals and 4 overall World cup titles. Only the great Ingemar Stenmark has won more titles. Not bad for a man who was originally told by the Austrian team selectors that he didn’t have the physicality to be a competitive skier.

He acquired the nickname ‘The Herminator’ after an almighty crash in the Nagano Olympics. He caught some serious air in the downhill landing on his head and shoulders, flipping over and then somersaulting through not 1 but 2 safety nets. As the snow was settling and most people feared the worst, he simply got to his feet and walked away. A few days later he won two gold medals. He will be missed on the ski circuit.