This season the British Consulate is sponsoring a campaign to try to make people aware of the heightened effects of alcohol whilst at altitude. It follows the recent tragic deaths in the alps of British holiday makers.
We all love to have a good time on holiday and for some that includes sampling the local tipple, or enjoying a nice bottle of red over lunch but how many of us appreciate that at altitude alcohol has an increased effect on our bodies? What might seem like normal intake levels for you suddenly become that little bit more when in the mountains coupled with the fact that you might have to face a challenging red (slope not wine) after lunch and you’re now putting not only yourself but all other skiers and boarders at risk. We wouldn’t get into a car or ride a motorbike after a few drinks so what makes us think we can hurl ourselves down a mountain?
This certainly isn’t a campaign to ban alcohol on the slopes, it’s simply trying to get the message across that whilst the mountains are a beautiful place to be, they also have to be respected and we have to moderate certain things in order to remain in control.
Its not only whilst out skiing or boarding that we have to be aware. The après scene in the villages after dark can through up its own dangers. If your drinking spirits then be aware that its probably going to be 3 times as strong than in the UK thanks to the bar mans generous measures and don’t forget that rule about altitude so for every Gin and Tonic you have in your hotel bar its probably equivalent to 4 in your local back home. The cold effects us quicker after a drink so if you’re planning a night out remember to wrap up. Its still amazes me to see people walking around without jackets on at 1 in the morning!
Drunken tales can make great holiday stories and we all go away on holiday to have a good time but fun shouldn’t come at a price! The campaign is simple trying to get you to appreciate your limits, make sure that you are taking care of yourself and ensure your holiday is not a wipe out. One final message to come from it is to be vigilant and keep an eye out for your friends!
Please feel free to leave comments as to your thoughts about the campaign. Is it right that the consulate is taking this step? Is this just another example of the nanny state? Should there be more awareness of potential dangers in the mountains? Your comments would be welcomed.
We’re allbecoming 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!
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.
For many people the thrill and excitment of venturing into the white fluffy stuff sometimes clouds their judgement and dismisses those anoying voices in the back of your head telling you that you shouldnt really be here because you forgot to pick up your avalanche transponder this morning.
If like me you enjoy, nay love off piste, then let the video below be a warning to all. Treat it with the respect that it desreves and always take local knowledge where available and never do it without the right equipment!!
Last winter season will go down in Sauze d’Oulx history not only for the fantastic snow fall that pretty much gauranteed fresh powder for skiers and boarders every week but also for the slightly less publicised shift in power as far as the hotels are concerned.
Historically the tour operators have had Sauze by and large to themselves, giving the hoteliers contracts before the season started for all their beds therefore denying the independent traveller access to much of the accommodation on offer. This changed last season and it looks likely that the change is here to stay.
Obviously you can still buy package deals to the resort and this will remain an important factor in the economic wealth of the town but with the lack of carte blanche contracts this will open Sauze up to more independantly minded skiers and boarders who aren’t necessarily looking for the box standard 1 weeks holiday. The other effect of this will be more tourists coming from outside the traditional UK/Irish base which can only add to Sauze’s already charmful character.
How will this effect Sauze? In the short term hotel owners who once relied on the safety of having the money in the bank before the season started could suffer however I predict that once they’ve found their feet and realised that there are other ‘roads to market’ then they will embrace their new found freedom.
The Snowball Rally is a brand new fundraising event offering teams of skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to complete an epic road trip, competing to ski as many of the country’s 43 artificial and indoor ski slopes as possible in 3 full on days. Funds raised by each Snowball Rally Team all go to supporting the work of youth charity Snow-Camp.
Start : Milton Keynes SNO!zone at 11am Thursday 19th November 2009
Finish: Milton Keynes SNO!zone between 6-7pm 21st November 2009
Points for each slope depending on location – the team with the most points after 3 days wins!
Cups and trophies for winners and best fundraisers!
Big party finish for all teams at the SNO!raiser 2009
The marathon for snow-sports lovers!
For more information click on the image above to be taken to the website.
A new chair lift is being installed and will be open for the beginning of the 09/10 ski season that will link the back bowl area of Sauze to the top of Fraiteve. This will enable skiers and boarders to get to Sansicario and beyond without having to rely on the Rio Nero drag or “The dog leg drag” as its known locally.
At the finish point of the new lift you get fantastic views of the full extent of the Milky Way ski area. The furthest skiable point is Montgenevre in France however the views go on beyond that towards Briancon which is close to Serre Chevalier making this a great spot to take out your cameras!
For those who are familier with the bowl area you will also be aware of the double drag lift that is the only link from the bottom of the bowl back to Sauze. At the end of the day this can be somewhat of a bottle kneck and also can strike fear into those that are less then comfortable on drags. Fear not for this is also being replaced this year by a chair lift!
The worlds best Giant Slalom racers return to Sestriere on the 20th March 2010. The men will be racing on the Olympic hill in Sestriere on the Saturday with Didier Cuche looking to repeat his 2009 win.
ESPN, CANAL + Events and Tignes Ski & Snowboard Resort will launch the first Winter X Games Europe March 10-12, 2010. The event will be the first Winter X Games held outside the United States. The event will bring together ESPN’s world class X Games franchise with France’s leading pay TV broadcaster and the local expertise of Tignes. A definitive list of the world’s top winter action sports athletes will be invited to France to compete for medals and prize money. There will be eight different competitions over three days, including Ski and Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle for men and women as well as a Snowmobile demonstration.
Sauzeonline has created #tags for twitter to enable you all to keep up to date with what people are tweeting about when it comes to Sauze d’Oulx. Easiest way to keep up to speed is to go to www.tweetchat.com Sign in using your twitter account details and when asked which tag you’d like to follow enter sauze. You’ll then be directed to the sauze room where you can add to the twittering, simple!
