The 2020 Ski Season

There has been a good mix of heavy snow combined with plenty of high pressure to create the perfect ski weather in the Alps so far this year and although it is impossible to predict exactly where will get how much snow, 2020 is looking like it will be a bumper season.

Are you bringing your family to the slopes this year? Filling a chalet is a good option for larger families travelling, providing some privacy and no worries about spoiling somebody else’s ski holiday, while hotels are a good alternative for families, offering plenty of facilities to entertain teenage children. Have a look for some family-friendly ski accommodation at Ski Famille which can also organise childcare and catered ski chalets.

It might also be worth booking some practice before you go, even for the experienced adults and The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead is all-year facility, perfect for re-acquainting everyone with their equipment and the feel of real snow. I Love meet and greet’s marketing team has used this venue for promotional photography.

Keen winter sport enthusiasts will have their own kit, be that boots, snowboard or skis and the best way to get all you gear to the outsize check-in desk is to use a meet and greet parking service. Being met on the terminal forecourt avoid the struggle on and off car park transfer buses. Packing your bags can also be a challenge, so ski professional generally recommend taking a ski bag with wheels and a boot bag. Although in some circles boot bags are considered uncool, you can carry much more than just your boots in these bags. Take a towel so your skis are never put away wet and use ski straps – the Velcro and foam versions provide the best protection.

2020 could be a good year to graduate to off-piste skiing, with benefits of a more challenging activity, less crowds and the chance to enjoy some unspoiled scenery. Here are some helpful tips for anyone looking to be more adventurous with winter sport holiday this season:

Let someone know where you are going. Give an idea of where and when. This ensures that – if something were to happen – people would know you are missing and have an idea of where to look for you.

Prepare by checking the snow conditions and find out what the avalanche risk is – there are five levels with specific flags denoting each level. Skiing above level three is not recommended.

Never ski alone. When proper safety precautions are followed, off-piste skiing is relatively safe; however, there are inherent dangers associated with traversing fresh snow. You should never attempt to ski alone, especially on your first few runs.

Have a plan. Think about your route. You can usually find a print guide, local, or other resource to explain the best areas to ski, terrains to avoid, and what conditions to expect. This information may prove to be invaluable, should you find yourself in a compromising situation.

Take the right kit. These should include a beacon (or avalanche transceiver) that allows you to be found should you get buried in an avalanche, a shovel to help you get out of drifts, food and water, and adequate clothing to stay warm.

Use your poles to stand up, your hands are just going to sink into the snow.

Enjoy the pace. Skiing on fresh powder is quick and if you go too slow you end up too sunk in the snow.


By Sarah Anglim at 14 Jan 2020

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