James Woods wins slopestyle silver at ski World Championships

James Woods has won Great Britain's first freestyle skiing medal at a World Championships in 20 years after winning slopestyle silver in Norway.

The 21-year-old was given a score of 91.2 to place him second behind American Thomas Wallisch.

In the women's event, Britain's Katie Summerhayes finished outside the medals in fourth place with a score of 72.2.

Slopestyle where snowboarders and skiers are judged on tricks, will be a new event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," Woods told BBC Sport.

"To do those tricks you have to be really bang on, and I feel like my second run was pretty close to it."

The bronze medal in the men's event was taken by American Nicholas Goepper in Voss-Myrkdalen.

The women's gold medal was won by Canadian Kaya Turski, who scored 89.6, with compatriot Dara Howell taking silver and American Grete Eliassen collecting bronze.

Summerhayes, who describes Woods as her best friend, has already qualified for next year's Winter Olympics as she continues to hit form on her comeback from a knee injury.

"There is no happier coach in the world at the moment," said Britain's freestyle skiing coach Pat Sharples.

"James produced an absolutely brilliant run to take silver, and what Katie has achieved so soon after coming back from injury has been amazing.

"The team is in a great place at the moment. There is a lot more work to do but we are in the best position to smash it heading into the Olympic season in 2014."

American skier Vonn released from hospital and ready to travel home for surgery after horror crash

American skier Lindsey Vonn will head home for surgery next week after tearing two ligaments in her right knee and breaking a bone in her lower leg in a crash at the world championships. 

U.S. Ski Team physician William Sterett was with Vonn on the snow after the crash on Tuesday, then at a Schladming hospital where she was airlifted to. 

‘She’ll be heading back to Vail (Colorado) and I will be doing surgery on her knee early next week,’ Sterett told The Associated Press on Wednesday. 

Crash: American skier Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after a horror crash in the women's Super G race at the World Alpine Skiing Championships in Schladming, Austria this afternoon

Speed: Vonn lost balance on her right leg while jumping and her ski flew off straight away. She appeared to land on her right knee

Airlift: Vonn received 12 minutes of treatment on the slopes before being taken away by helicopter

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2274369/Lindsey-Vonn-need-surgery-horror-ski-crash-Austria.html#ixzz2KDhbant0 

 

Great Britain's top slopestyle skier James Woods won bronze at the X Games. 

 

Woods, 21, from Sheffield qualified for the final in first place but was beaten by American Nick Goepper and Sweden's Henrik Harlaut in Sunday's showdown.

Woods was second behind Goepper after two of the three runs in Aspen, Colorado, with a best score of 91.33.

But Harlaut moved up into the silver medal after a 92.66 in his final run, with Woods only able to score 92.00 while Goepper won with 94.00.

The Briton, who has won the first two World Cups of the season, is one of the medal favourites in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where slopestyle will make its Olympic debut.

The sport sees skiers and snowboarders judged on the speed and execution of the tricks they perform on jumps, rails and boxes.

Woods won his second consecutive ski slopestyle World Cup in Colorado earlier this month, gathering enough points to all-but secure Team GB one of the four available spots at Sochi.

SNOWBOARDING

Aimee Fuller was the only British woman invited to compete in the X Games and she could only manage eighth place in the snowboard slopestyle final on Buttermilk Mountain on Saturday.

Britain's experienced snowboard cross racer Zoe Gillings was also in action on Saturday at the World Championships at Stoneham in Canada. She finished 10th after just missing out in qualifying for the final, hampered by riders falling in front of her.

BOBSLEIGH & SKELETON

At the World Championships in St Moritz, Switzerland, Great Britain secured three team places for the first time in the women's race. All finished in the top 20, with former junior world champion Paula Walker, who was hampered by a knee injury, the highest placed in 14th.

In the men's two-man, John Jackson and Craig Pickering were 19th. Britain came seventh in the team event which saw Kristan Bromley, Lizzy Yarnold, Walker and Jackson each complete a run of the track. Afterwards Yarnold tweeted: "Here are the team race results. Seventh place for GB1- so proud! 12 skeleton athletes and I slid the second fastest time!"

ICE SKATING

British ice dance duo Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland recorded their best result, finishing fifth at the European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. The duo, coached by Russian Evgeni Platov, the 1994 and 1998 Olympic ice dance champion, scored 152.95 points.

 

 

source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-sports/21210022

Chalet Abendruh

 

You only have one life - Do you really want to live it behind a desk for 8 hours and then commute home? Would you rather ski up to 300 days a year? Plus play golf, mountain bike or sunbathe the other 65 days!

Live the life, do not let life live you!

We are selling our 30 bed hotel in the beautiful resort of Kaprun in Austria.
Fantastic scenery - with a view from the hotel to the Glacier beyond - this recently refurbished hotel has been sympathetically modernised.

Can't speak German? Don't worry - most people from the mayor down can converse in English. Got Kids? The Austrian schools are excellent. Want privacy? The hotel comes with a self contained 2 bedroom apartment.

For further information please email austrianhotel@gmail.com with your name and address to obtain a complete information pack.

Asia's Biggest Ski Resort is coming! 

 CHANGCHUN - Asia's largest ski resort is expected to open by the end of the year on Changbai Mountain in Northeast China's Jilin province, according to local authorities.

 Covering an area of seven square kilometers, the resort has 43 ski runs totalling 30 kilometers and can accommodate 8,000 skiers at a time, said Chen Weigen, vice-governor of Jilin. 

 The resort is part of the Changbai Mountain international holiday resort. The first phase of the project, which includes five-star hotels, a resort town and a cultural center, started operating in late July after three years of construction. Six Chinese private companies have invested 20 billion yuan ($3.16 billion) in the project.

Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/13/content_15756010.htm)

Rain, hail, thunder, lightening and sunshine!! What is happening to the weather this month?!! Fortunately the Ski & Outdoor Warehouse has clothes for what ever the great British Spring chooses to throw at us!!

This week we are running an amazing special on our range of Regatta walking boots - 20% off advertised prices at checkout!! Thats right - an incredible 20% off our already discounted prices!! Looking for new walking boots? www.skiwear4less.com check out the site now!!

Where is my sunshine?!!

Woke up this morning to the sound of rain and wanted to bury my head under the pillows!! Yesterday sun splitting the tree's, today - no sign of sunshine at all!! Thank heavens for our great range of waterproof jackets and pants by Five Seasons. With pants from £12.99, jackets from £14.99 and sets from as little as £24.99, our outdoor clothing by Five Seasons is just the thing for a rainy day Outdoor Clothing!!

The Ski & Outdoor Warehouse

Its the lusty month of May and we're back at Skiwear4less!!

Its that time of the year again - the ski season draws to a close though there's still snow out their for those who want to catch some late action on the pistes - take a look at our forum for a snow update - so what is the Ski & Outdoor Warehouse going to do l here you ask (either that or l'm hearing things!!).

Well we're in full swing for camping!! Yep, show us a field and the wild outdoors because we have a wide selection of great tents at the cheapest prices available on www.skiwear4less.com?!! From 2 berth festival tents from £14.99 to mahoosive 6 berth Lichfield Tirawa's at £89.99!! We've got sleeping bags from £12.99, rucksacks from £9.99 and a range of camping accessories from as little as 99p!!

Hurry to www.skiwear4less.com for the best bargains NOW!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We at Skiwear4less wish you all a very lovely Christmas and all the best for a Happy New Year!!

To all of those who are spending them on the slopes I am very very jealous of you! but hope you have a fantastic time!! The Holiday period is one of the busiest in resort so the final dump of snow has definately helped you have brilliant conditions!

If your going skiing in the New Year then you are still able to pick up a bargin in time at www.skiwear4less.com

To all those students who are off on their Uni Ski trips we have some brilliant deals for your essential accessories for you

And for those who are first timers we have a whole section to helf you out on our website to make sure that you have all the things that you will need, can stay warm and have an amazing time !!! 'First time Skiers'

Food you must try when skiing!!

There are some foods that you absolutly have to try when your away skiing! not only because they are really nice but also because they will warm you up.

I am the most fussy eater in the world and really struggle with alot of textures of food rather than the taste, so to most these might not seem like the best food that you can eat when on the slopes but to me they are and if its your first time in a country then you have to atleast try them..

Last week I was in Austria Skiing with my family and I struggle alot there with food because I dont really eat pork but my winter warmer and midday love was definately
Goulash soup! If You want to try and make it yourself if only takes 15minutes to prepare and about an hour to cook. It has a sweet yet spicy flavour and is a beautiful blend of beef tomato and paprika. Give it a google and have a go!

When I was younger we always skied in France and I think I scared my parents with the amount of Tartiflette I ate out there, I would happily have eaten it for breakfast lunch and dinner if I had been aloud. I don't 0ften like cheese but this is deninatelly my exception to the rule! It is a rich warm filling dish of cheese, creamy potatoes and baco the is ideal to share with friend and really easy to make.

Now this is not my favourites but it definately goes down extremely well with my family and there is never any left even my 4 year old sister is happy to fill herself silly with a cheese fondue! Whenever we ski across the boarder from france to switzerland this is what all my family order. Made from a mixture of cheeses and white wine served with crusty bread to dip in and eat till you think your going to pop!

Although I don't like cheese fondue I am a total sucker for a chocolate fondue. How can anyone turn down a mixture of melted chocolates and loads of fruit to dip into it, although marshmellows are an amazing alternative but can become very sickly much faster.

I hope you enjoy these and give them a try especially when your out in resort! Happy Skiing!

Its all about the money in Vegas!!!$35 million face lift for the ski resort!

After an 8 year back and forth with the Forest Service, the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort's master plan has been approved.

It includes 10 new chair lifts, 50 new ski runs, more parking, a new lodge and more jobs for locals.

The LVSSR's parent company, Powdr Corp is making a major investment in Las Vegas.

"This type of expansion is going to bring tourism dollars, jobs and huge business growth for the ski area itself and it's going to really give us a year round recreational destination on Mt. Charleston," said President and CEO of LVSSR Kevin Stickelman.

But it wasn't an easy run to approval. The original plan was submitted back in 2003. After eight years of changes and re-submittals the master plan was finally approved by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Service last week.

Protecting the environment was a critcal factor in their approval of the master plan. The main concern was the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly.

"It's really just a set of best management practices that we are going to put in place during this master plan that will safeguard some of their habitat, said Stickelman.

The LVSSR says the expansion will take 10 to 12 years to complete.

It's expected to cost Powdr Corp more than $35 million to complete and some of that will be passed along to customers.

But prices shouldn't go up significantly until the major transformations begin.

"We're on the lower end of the pricing scale already, an I intend us to stay there but we will eventually go up as we add more lifts and more terrain and more amenities for the guest," said Stickelman.

He assured Action News prices will remain the same this coming season.

The resort's first order of business will be adding five additional snow makers. They'll also expand the youth ski school, along with adding more parking and outdoor seating.

The new lifts and ski runs will come in the following years.

Source: http://www.ktnv.com/news/local/125768603.html

Breckenridge Ski Resort's expansion gets the OK!

Breckenridge Ski Resort's expansion has advanced after the U.S. Forest Service on Friday backed the resort's plan to develop skiing on Peak 6 despite environmentalists' opposition.

Breckenridge, which is owned by Vail Resorts , hopes to develop 550 acres of lift-served and hiked-to skiing on the peak within its existing permit of 5,700 acres, of which 3,100 acres are currently in operation. A six-person lift would be built to access the terrain.

"We are excited to see the approval process move forward because we firmly believe the proposed Peak 6 expansion will greatly enhance the recreational experience for our guests," Breckenridge senior vice president Pat Campbell said in a news release.

The proposed development also includes a 150-seat guest-services facility located at the proposed lift's midstation and a top terminal ski patrol/warming hut.

Scott Fitzwilliams, forest supervisor of the White River National Forest, which encompasses the ski resort, said he approved the proposal because it accommodated increasing daily visitation levels and reduced congestion.

Past community resistance has delayed Vail Resorts' push to expand on Peak 6. Some environmental groups say expansion would hurt lynx and other wildlife habitats by cutting down trees for the ski runs.

Paul Joyce, west slope field director of Colorado Wild, said he saw a marketing ploy that had no concern for socio-economic and environmental issues.

"I see an industry thriving on our public lands and abusing an opportunity to get people out there with their real estate development," Joyce said.

Ellen Hollinshead, president of Summit Winterlands and Trails, which is working with the U.S. Forest Service to find a compromise for the expansion, said she was concerned about losing the "unique relief" that Peak 6 offered.

"It's the first place where you can go and bushwhack through the woods and not see another person," Hollinshead said.

Fitzwilliams said the U.S Forest Service was engaged with the Peak 6 task force to address some of those issues.

The service recently prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement that disclosed the environmental effects of the Peak 6 project.

Source: Denver Post

Sister Site

We have a new sister site - www.outdoorgear4less.com

For camping in the UK outdoorgear4less online camping shop has the best prices. Looking for a cheap tent or cheap tents? Our discount tents are the best buys for the great outdoors. Vango tents, cheap pop up tents, Gelert tents, festival tents. Check out our tent sale where you can buy a 6 man tent, 4 man tent, 3 man tent, 2 man tent - we have a cheap camping tent for you.

For all your camping needs - sleeping bags, outdoor equipment, outdoor furniture, rucksacks, outdoor clothing, waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers, hiking and walking boots.

Hundreds of camping accessories including airbeds, sleeping mats, backpacks and camping stoves.

Our outdoor store has the best outdoor clothing and outdoor gear in the UK. Buy your rucksack, your walking shoes and your outdoor clothes for less.

FOR EXTRA DISCOUNTS!!!!

For extra discounts online and instore sign up for our newsletter at www.skiwear4less.com

“8848 Altitude Has Arrived!”

We have just received our latest range of products from Swedish manufacturer 8848 Altitude. This range originated from a project that was set up to provide clothing for the first successful Swedish ascent to Mount Everest in 1990. The know how from this first ascent in utilizing breathable materials through a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions has been incorporated throughout our entire range.
Do you prefer Futuristic or classic? Solid or multicoloured? Active or loose fit? The freedom to combine and the variety of styles has never been broader. Get inspired by our range of jackets, pants, gloves and hats at fantastic prices way below RRP.
“TOP OF THE RANGE”
Our top of the range Sonic Jacket features “Duratec Supreme” the latest in technical fabric. A fully wind- and waterproof and breathable laminated material, a lightweight fabric made to defeat the toughest weather conditions. This jacket has an incredible 20,000 hydrostatic head, plus optimum breathability and wind resistance. It’s available in Blue and Red and is available to you IN ALL SIZES for £199.99, a saving of £90 off the RRP.
“THE FREERIDER”
If you´re all in for serious powder and big mountain sessions, go for brave, retro-inspired colours and pieces with relaxed cut and lots of room for movement. The Mels Jacket is down £70 to just £159.99 and is the freeriders’ favourite this season. The “Muddie Soft Shell” at the same price is a truly stunning jacket with superb performance. Featuring Duratec technical fabric, this jacket fits close to the body and allows you to move freely. Waterproof, breathable and windproof with great looks – what more could a girl want? How about waterproof zips, powder skirt, underarm vents and zip off storm hood to name but a few.
“THE SKI TEACHER”
Active fit, dynamic lines, striking colours, high-tech materials – and loaded with intelligence. Those are the key words for the upcoming winter’s most versatile ski garments. The number one alpine look this season screams: Functional – Fun – Fast! Check out the Asto Soft Shell Jacket just £179.99, a saving of £80 of the RRP! It’s on page 14 of our Best Sellers Catalogue or click the web link below and you’ll get the idea.
With matching Smith, Gun and Mila Pants from just £99.99 and gloves and hats too then why don’t you visit our website at www.skiwear4less.com.

SCHWARZENEGGER KILLS CALIFORNIA HELMET BILL

September 30, 2010
SAM Magazine—Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 30, 2010—It could only happen in California: last Friday, governor Arnold Schwarzenegger first approved a bill that required under-18 skiers and snowboarders in the state to wear helmets, but then vetoed companion legislation that would have required resorts to take a number of other actions to further safeguard visitors. Since the two bills were linked, the veto of the second means that the first won't become law, either.

Had the bills both passed, California would have the country's strictest laws regarding helmet use and ski safety.

The bill Schwarzenegger vetoed, AB 1652, mandated that all California ski areas increase the number of hazard signs, boundary markings, and install safety padding on potentially dangerous obstacles. The bill also would have required resorts to prepare an annual safety plan, and to publish monthly reports of any fatal incidents.

"Many California ski resorts are located on U.S. Forest Service land, and are already required to compile and file safety and accident reports with USFS as well as maintain some of this information in the resort management office," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Ski resorts in California also already mark their ski area boundaries and trails with appropriate information. This bill may place an unnecessary burden on resorts, without assurance of a significant reduction in ski and snowboard-related injuries and fatalities."

Senator Leland Yee, author of the bill requiring helmets for all skiers and riders under age 18, said he will reintroduce the helmet bill next year as a standalone measure. This bill had the support of the California Ski Industry Association, and will likely have that support again.

Should helmets be compulsory? Let us know what you think on our forum at www.skiwear4less.com.

SPORTEN - A TRADITIONAL SKI COMPANY

Sporten is a traditional ski company founded more than 100 years ago. At that time each pair of skis were made in small workshops by skilled craftsmen and each pair of skis were truly original.

Time has changed, but in Vysocine where Sporten still make their skis, many things are still the same. Sporten don’t go out and buy the cores for their skis like other manufacturers. Instead they go and buy trees direct from sustainable forests. They strip the bark and cut the wood into planks before storing it for three years outside to season correctly. Prior to production each plank is hand checked for shape and curvature before the final kiln drying process. Once a piece of wood enters the factory it is cut, finger grooved for strength then re-cut for shape and only then does it enter onto the production line.

Once the wooden core enters the production line it is added to a mixture of more modern components including ABS sidewalls, a structured top sheet, biaxial fibreglass wrap, titanal plate, anti-vibration ply, steel edges and sintered base. All these ingredients are inserted into a heavy-duty steel press and with great pressure compressed into a modern ski. The completed ski is then hand trimmed and flex tested to ensure the pair match before final waxing and packaging.

Sporten still make traditional hand crafted skis, but in a more modern way. if you would like any more information visit http://www.skiwear4less.com. MJ.

EXTRA 10% OFF WEBSALE ON NOW!

With winter well on its way now is a great time to get sorted for the slopes. We here at skiwear4less are sad to see the end of our fantastic British Summer (boohoo!)…and can’t wait for winter and the coming snow (hurrah!). It’s when we like to come out and play!

To celebrate the end of British Summer Time (just around the corner next month *) we are offering a further 10%...YES a massive 10% MORE off everything from our website for a limited time only!

Simply go to www.skiwear4less.com and place an order before midnight on Thursday 30th September, enter the Voucher Code xxx at the checkout and you will receive a further 10% off your order. Now how good is that!

Ooh! and did I mention the fantastic range of skis, boards, boots, poles, bindings, clothing, gloves and hundreds of other ski and outdoor accessories for all age ranges and abilities…that’s a 10% discount on everything on our website for a limited time only which ends at 12 o’clock midnight at the end of September…that would be Thursday 30th to be precise! Don’t delay and get on our website today! Do it NOW! Don’t wait! Click on the link straight away! You know you want to!

* (For your information British Summer Time clocks go back 1 hour on Sunday 31st October 2010 when it becomes 01.00am Greenwich Mean Time!)

NEW JUNIOR SKI BOOT EASES YOUR INVESTMENT

Italian company Roxa has invented an innovative new system that allows the ski boot to adjust as your children’s feet grow bigger!

The New Junior ‘Chameleon’ starts at UK size 11 (mondopoint size 18) and can be adjusted over time up to UK size 2 (mondopoint 21.5) . So now instead of having to buy, borrow or steal new boots every time your children’s feet grow you can buy a boot that grows with them.

The ‘Chameleon’ has a patented system which allows the shell to extend just like a rental binding. It also has 2 buckles with adjustable ratchet plus a comfort liner that will expand as the foot grows.

This boot is perfect for the little ones as their feet grow and perfect on you and your wallet!

The Junior Chameleon has a Recommended Retail Price of £90 but is now available for £55 in our shops and online at our website http://www.skiwear4less.com. That’s a saving of £35 off the RRP.

Now that’s something to write home about and tell all your friends. MJ.

Price of skiing stays the same in Aspen!!

ASPEN — The Aspen Skiing Co. is holding the line on the prices of its two most popular ski passes and it is resurrecting the two-day-per-week pass, which had been eliminated prior to last season, the company announced Monday.

The Premier Pass — which offers unrestricted access to all four Skico ski areas with no blackout dates — costs $1,099 for members of local chambers of commerce in 2010-11. The price is $1,499 for individuals who aren't chamber members. Both prices are the same as last season.

In all cases, season passes are cheapest when purchased before a Sept. 24 “super early deadline.” Prices go up Sept. 24 and again on Nov. 12.

“The message there is buy your passes before Sept. 24,” said Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle. About 80 percent of season pass buyers heed the advice and purchase before the first deadline, he said.

The Flex Pass prices, good for one day of skiing or riding per week, sells for $699 for chamber members and $819 for non-members, if purchased before Sept. 24. Those prices are also the same as the prior season. Extra days can be added for $49 per day.

The price of Premier Passes was dropped by $200 last season for chamber members and $270 for individuals, so the skiers and riders who hit the slopes most often are paying less than they have since the 2004-05 season.

Even without a price increase, the Skico's full-season pass remained the most expensive among Colorado resorts. Telluride charges $1,298 but customers can knock that down to $998 per person when four people team to buy passes. Steamboat's current price is $999 while Crested Butte is charging $949.

Vail Resorts, which is more vulnerable to competition for Front Range skiers, is charging $599 for an Epic Pass, which buys access to Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin as well as Heavenly in California.

Most other Colorado resorts raised their pass prices by a modest amount for the 2010-11 winter.

The Skico's decision to keep pass prices flat was partially an acknowledgment of the ongoing tough economic times, Hanle said, but there's also a philosophical statement involved.

‘Double Flex Pass' created

In addition to holding the prices the same as 2009-10 for the major passes, the Skico brought back an old favorite. The two-day-per-week pass is now dubbed the “Double Flex Pass.”

Among people who objected about pass options last season, the biggest complaint was about the loss of the two-day-per-week option. Critics said they could only hit the slopes twice per week, Hanle said. They didn't want to pay more for the Premier Pass because they knew they couldn't use all the days. But they also wanted more than a one-day-per-week pass.

The Double Flex sells for $949 for chamber members and $1,199 for non-members if purchased by Sept. 24.

When the two-day-per-week pass was last sold, in the 2008-09 season, the price was $919, so the increase was $30 over two seasons.

Two other passes that were eliminated last season won't be brought back this season. The seven-day Classic Pass remains buried, and no option will be offered for Aspen Highlands only.

A five-day Classic Pass is $259, up $10 from last season.

The Escape Pass offers a pay-as-you-go option. It is $319 if purchased by Dec. 17, then $49 per day it is used. The upfront cost is up $20 from last season.

The cost of the five-day Classic Pass is $259, up from $249 last season.

Article from www.aspentimes.com :)