It’s Carnival Time! Your personal invitation to the Party of the Year

Everyone, young and old, loves the party atmosphere and gripping spectacle of a carnival. But in Livigno, in the heart of the snowy Alps, carnival time is quite literally taken to a higher level.

Located high in the beautiful Italian province of Lombardy province, this charming Italian resort is world renowned for its unparalleled mountain scenery and fantastic snowsports – in fact, it recently won the prestigious title Best European Resort 2012 at the World Snow Awards in London. However it’s in the month of February that Livigno really does come alive
. . . this is the month of the astounding Carnevale!

Celebrated in Italy forty days before Easter, this traditional party takes place before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. In fact, it is one of Italy’s biggest and most popular festivals, attracting visitors from all over the world, and many events across the country often last for two to three weeks before the actual carnival day.

Let’s Get This Party Started!

This year Livigno’s very own spectacular event, which is absolutely free for all the resort’s visitors, takes place from February 7 until February 12. The celebrations kick off with a downhill convoy of skiers wearing traditional mountain gear before huge, colourful floats parade through the streets, which are adorned with confetti and streamers and are buzzing with partygoers of all ages, including excited children and families.

Throughout this eventful week of parades, pageants and parties, you, too, will have the opportunity to dress up and attend a masque ball – or maybe you’d like to try your hand at the annual Rodeo Challenge? Of course, among the many fun events, the skiing and snowboarding is highly encouraged too.

Three very special days will form the highlight of the event, during which the districts of Livigno – Truzz, Frogs, and Spazzon Trepall – will compete in different specialties to win the highly coveted Trophy Contrade 2013.

Book your place!

With easily accessed flights form the UK, partygoers can choose luxury accommodation in Livigno from an incredibly wide and varied choice, including 105 hotels, 25 garni (small run hotels on B&B) and more than 1000 apartments. So when you need to relax away from the festivities, you can enjoy the modern comforts of luxury living amid the town’s beautiful and traditional architecture.

Famous for its immense snowfall and perfect temperatures, not to mention first class resort services Livigno is undoubtedly the perfect place to fully appreciate incredible snowsports and authentic Italian culture . . . And when better to visit than carnival time?

For more information on Livigno, officially the Best European Resort 2012, visit www.livigno.eu/en

Why Easter Skiing Works Best For Families

Families who have left it too late to book February half-term but are still bound by school holidays should consider Easter as the perfect time to hit the slopes. With Good Friday falling earlier this year on 29thMarch, the choice of where to go is wider with many resorts still looking forward to another 4 weeks of the season. With the added benefit of quieter slopes, the Easter skiing experience is kinder on the wallet too with competitive lift pass and accommodation deals and many resorts giving kids ski free offers over Easter. And of course timing is key, if your child’s school breaks one or two days earlier than the majority then families can enjoy further savings of up to £200 per person on flights. Beautiful spring sunshine combined with good historical snow records over Easter in recent years shows Mother Nature is doing her bit for families too!

Check out Ski Safari’s top five suggestions to make the most out of your family holiday this Easter.

1. Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, USA

Located on Lake Tahoe’s beautiful North Shore, Squaw Valley has already had an amazing 20ft of snow this season. As clichéd as it sounds, the varied terrain means there is skiing for everyone and with access to six other ski resorts around the Lake, including Heavenly and Kirkwood, the possibilities are endless. Squaw is one of the few resorts in North America where nearly all the accommodation is ski in/out and the 5* The Resort at Creek is the ultimate choice, offering possibly the best value 5* luxury property in North America. The Resort’s appeal to families is a given, with its own chairlift, ice-skating rink and comprehensive children’s programme, with plenty to keep the little ones entertained - on and off the slopes. It’s easy to see why this is one of Ski Safari’s most popular destinations for families at Easter.

How much? Save £1650 on a 10 night family holiday at the 5* The Resort at Squaw Creek, with prices starting from £5550 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) in a Valley View Suite on B&B, including return flights and resort transfers. Benefit from season pass prices too with unlimited skiing for £281pp (adults), for £209 (youth 13+) or for £150 (child). Departs 30th March 2013. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com 

2. Banff, Canada

With its long ski season running from November through to May, the Canadian resort of Banff tops the list for those looking for late season skiing. With less crowded slopes and spectacular scenery, coupled with sunshine skiing and perfectly groomed pistes Banff is close to perfection. The ski areas of Mt Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise means the variety of skiing that can be done using the tri-area pass is huge. Banff also ticks the boxes when it comes to offering family-friendly accommodation at family-friendly prices, especially at the recently renovated 3* Banff Inn.

How much? Book by 28th February and save £310 per person by taking advantage of the limited Air Canada flight sale. Stay 8 nights at the 3* Banff Inn in Banff, with prices starting from £939 per person in a Loft Family Unit, based on 4 sharing and including return Air Canada flights and resort transfers. Departs 3rd April. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com 

3. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is one of those ski resorts that needs little introduction, mixing all the positives of skiing together to create a superpower that few resorts can match. Superb intermediate and advanced slopes, reliable snow conditions well into April, magnificent scenery, alpine charm and fantastic mountain restaurants – who says you can’t have it all? Zermatt is also one of the few resorts in the world which is skiable 365 days of the year, thanks to one of Europe’s largest glacier ski areas as well as the continent’s highest with lifts reaching 3,800m, for awe-inspiring views of the mighty Matterhorn. The resort is ideal for families whose children are already accomplished skiers and have the stamina to explore the terrain on offer.

How much? Stay 7 nights at the 3* Hotel Bristol in Zermatt, with prices starting from £3325 per family (based on 2 adults, 2 children) in a Family Room on B&B, return flights and 2nd class rail/bus transfers. Departs 23rd March. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com 

4. Geilo, Norway

As one of Norway’s oldest and most famous ski resorts, Geilo has great appeal for families looking for unintimidating and uncrowded slopes. With superb ski tuition, excellent English-speaking instructors and first-rate childcare means children are well provided for. Off the slopes there is a superb choice of winter activities that families will love, including husky dog-sledding, horse sleigh rides and high rope courses. An outstanding family choice is the Vestlia Resort, thanks to its close proximity to the slopes and skiing amenities as well as housing a large indoor play area and family pool.

How much? Book by 15th February and save £200 per person on a 7 night holiday at the 4* Vestlia Resort Hotel in Geilo, with prices starting from £765 per person in a Ski Wing room on half board. Prices are based on on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and include return flights and resort transfers. Departs 31st March. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com 

5. Åre, Sweden

Åre, Sweden’s world-class ski resort, is a wonderful all-round family resort with skiing from early December to early May. Supported by the excellent skiing instructors, children will progress soundly on the network of wide, welcoming and crowd-free slopes. Keeping them occupied off the slopes is easy too as Åre is one of the best places in the world to sample winter beyond just the downhill slopes. Ice-skating, sleigh rides, ice-fishing, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, ice-driving, zip-lining, snow-kiting and even moose kissing are all on offer to maximise winter family fun.

How much? Book by 28th January and save £125 per person on a 7 night holiday at the self-catering 3* Brunkulla Apartments in Åre, with prices starting from £735 per person. Departs 24th March. Price includes return flights and resort transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com 

Annual Snow-Camp fundraising event the Alpine Challenge is heading to Morzine!

‘The Alpine Challenge has got everything a great fundraising event needs – how else can you combine snowsports, a genuine endurance challenge covering a distance of 150km in 2 days, loads of prizes and a huge party into one weekend?’ Chemmy Alcott, Team GB Olympic Skier

Snow-Camp, one of Britain’s most innovative youth charities, will be holding its fourth annual charity ski and board-a-thon next week in the French Alps.

 The Snow-Camp Alpine Challenge brings teams of snowsports enthusiasts together to compete for the title of Alpine Challenge Champions and to fundraise for charity by doing something they love to do: skiing or snowboarding, but like they have never done before!  The event challenges teams to ride over 150km of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area over 2 non stop days, taking in 15 checkpoints and completing a challenging night hike!

All funds raised will go toward Snow-Camp’s work supporting inner-city young people through skiing, snowboarding, life-skills development. (Please see www.snow-camp.org.uk for more details of the charities work.)

This year’s event is the biggest to date, with over 80 people participating in 18 separate teams representing companies such as RBS, Norton Rose, PWC, Barclays Wealth, The Welbeck Group and London Bridge Capital, as well as snowsport industry teams including SCUK and World Snowboard Guide.

Snow-Camp Director Dan Charlish said, ‘We are once again amazed at the enthusiasm for teams to sign up for the Challenge, especially in the current climate – and we are grateful for all the support shown to Snow-Camp’s work through this event. The funds raised make a massive difference to our ability to work with inner city young people, and the fact that teams seem to love the event as well makes for a fantastic few days for everyone out in Morzine!’

Now in its 4^th year (previously the Everest Challenge) the Alpine Challenge has grown year on year, and feedback from previous participants has ensured the constant improvement of the event and greater enjoyment for teams.

Charlish says, ‘We are confident teams are going to love some of the new additions to the Challenge this year.  We are using a new Trac Trac GPS device which enables live updates to be sent to all teams during the event giving each teams position on the leaderboard.  The system also allows supporters to watch each team’s progress live and online at home.  Participants also have to take more of the initiative this year as there are no guides involved, and the orienteering aspect adds a lot more strategy to the event. We have also added vin chaud and sledging at the end of the night hike as a bit of a reward!’

Sponsors Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports are proud to support the event once again and have been supporters of Snow-Camp for many years.  They are joined by Morzine Tourist Board, Basecamp and White Blancmange Luxury Travel as key event sponsors.

Please see www.snow-camp.org.uk/alpinechallenge to find out more. Follow @alpinechallenge for all live updates and ‘Like’ SnowCampCharity to keep in touch on Facebook.

The Alpine Challenge takes place 17 – 20  January 2013.  It costs only £250 to book the event (including flights, accommodation, transfers and ski passes).  All participants commit to raise a minimum of £1,250 for Snow-Camp’s work.  Call Dan Charlish on +44 (0)7930 695384 for more details.

And the winner is . . . Livigno! Italian resort leads the way at World Snow Awards

The recent World Snow Awards in London gave top honours to Livigno, when it won the prestigious title Best European Resort 2012. Now you too can discover the delights of this exciting Italian resort.

Located high in the beautiful Italian province of Lombardy, amid the splendour of the majestic Alps, Livigno is one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe. In fact, it is known by locals as Little Tibet because of its immense snow fall and perfect temperatures. Combined with first class resort services, this makes Livigno a mecca for skiers and boarders . . .  and was precisely why it was rated number one at the Snow Awards ceremony.

Launched by VOS Media, the company behind Ski and Snowboard magazine and the Ski and Snowboard Show, the Snow Awards were judged by a 22-strong panel of ski and snowboard experts, and by public vote.

Olympic stars Martin and Graham Bell, along with Graham's co-presenter on Ski Sunday
Ed Leigh, headed the panel that also included former president of the SIGB Damon Street, editor of Where to Ski & Snowboard Dave Watts, former chief executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain Caroline Stuart Taylor and editor of Ski and Snowboard Henry Druce.

The 2012 World Snow Awards recognise only the very best resorts and Livigno came top because of the impeccable quality and wide range of its services offered across the winter season, including world-beating hotel offers and the super efficiency of its ski lifts.

Special mention was also made of Livigno’s outstanding Freeride Experience, which allows visitors to enjoy exciting yet safe off-piste thrills – it’s the perfect place for a freestyler to combine riding the snowpark and shredding pristine powder.

Nick Miller, Chairman of VOS Media and publisher of Ski and Snowboard said: “The ski and snowboard world is one of the most vibrant and innovative sectors of the travel industry and the World Snow Awards has recognised those who go the extra mile and lead the way for the rest of the industry.”

With its industry peers recognising and rewarding the true quality of Livigno, here are five more things you need to know before sampling the best resort in Europe for yourself.

1.      Snow business: Set amidst pristine natural surroundings, crisp Alpine air and mountain sunshine, Livigno offers unrivalled ski and boarding opportunities from the end of November to the start of May. There are 115km of slopes of various levels, all served by state-of-the-art ski lifts. There are also 70 sq km of slopes catering especially for snowboarders of all levels and a snowpark with half-pipes, jumps and a boardercross piste.It’s not just about skis and boards however. There are countless other fun activities to enjoy, from racing cars on ice to riding horses in the mountains, snowmobiling to go-karting, ice skating to paragliding. Whatever your passion and desired adrenalin level, you’ll find it richly rewarded in Livigno.
2.      Sales and souvenirs: A refreshingly duty-free zone, an accreditation granted by Napoleon in 1805, Livigno is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of retail therapy. Its beautiful streets play host to a wide variety of shopping opportunities, from arts and crafts boutiques to snow sports stores where you can discover all of the top brands at great value prices. And don’t forget to sample and stock up on the array of fresh local delicacies.
3.      A Moooving Experience: The Latteria Di Livigno is a dairy with a difference. Located in via Pemont, close to Livigno´s beautiful lake, the bespoke facility welcomes flocks of new guests from Monday to Friday. Not only can you see the entire milk transformation process at work but you can enjoy tasting all of the delicious finished products. There is also an exhibition area, where visitors can learn about the fascinating history of local agriculture. It really is the perfect place to experience a true taste of Livigno.
4.      Enjoy the aqua vita: At the Aquagranda Livigno Wellness Park, the emphasis is on pure indulgence for body and soul. At the heart of this thoroughly modern sports club and spa, you can treat your senses and pamper yourself. Four words perfectly sum up the Aquagranda: water, fitness, wellness, and beauty. After a fun day on the slopes it’s the ideal oasis for relaxing and rejuvenating before enjoying Livigno’s famous après piste nightlife.
5.      Join the party! From the taste-bud tingling Christmas Markets to spectacular Winter Carnivals, breath-taking ice shows to the World Rookie Tour for the planet’s best boarders, there is always something going on in Livigno. Whether it’s dressing entirely in pink for the fun-filled Women’s Week festival or chilling out to the Concert Under The Tree with the Musica Group of Livigno, you can be sure of finding the perfect party for you.

Now you know a little more about Little Tibet, it’s the ideal time to enjoy first hand the first snow and first sunshine of spring – that’s because if you spend your holiday (at least 4 nights in hotel or 7 nights in apartment) here from April 13 to the 1 May 1, 2013, you will be entitled to a free Skipass!

For more information on Livigno, officially the Best European Resort 2012, visit www.livigno.eu/en

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: FIRST RESOLUTION FOR 2013... BECOME A VIP!

COME January the festive decorations will be back in the attic, time will be called on the very last of the parties, and the reality of entering a new year will hit home. So why not plan ahead for 2013 and make your New Year’s resolution to make January the month you become a bona fide VIP? 

As a guest of VIP SKI you will not only enjoy the finest skiing and snowboarding in Europe, but also be treated to the luxurious surroundings of a beautiful Alpine chalet – while enjoying a first-class service and renowned, world-class dining. Discover what being a VIP really means and make your January a month of joy!

Luxury living

VIP SKI chalets have been built with you in mind, fully bespoke to meet the desires of the most discerning guests. Smart and contemporary or of traditional mountain design, all are spacious, yet cosy, and filled with plump sofas and roaring log fires. Choose from an à La Carte menu of accommodation to suit your taste and budget and enjoy ski-in ski-out locations, home cinemas, spacious rooms and hot tubs with fabulous views.

A to Z of Resorts

Being a VIP means you get to choose from an A to Z of Europe’s top ski resorts, from Alpe d'Huez to Zermatt. Alpe d’Huez, known as The Island of Sunshine, is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and today its Quartier des Vieil Alpe has the character and charm of an old mountain village. Its beginners’ plateau, glaciers, varied terrain and state-of-the-art lift system make it a skiers’ delight. Zermatt, meanwhile, dominated by the Matterhorn, is a car-free town that blends rustic Alpine charm with discreet A-list appeal. The skiing is extensive and varied, with more than 300km of the highest north and west-facing slopes in Europe.

Fun for all the family

Families can rest assured VIP SKI ‘s priority is to create a dream holiday for the children, too, complete with sledging, husky dogs, ice caves and climbing walls, not to mention snowballs and hot chocolate trips! What’s more, several of VIP SKI’s chalets have family rooms with bunk beds, sofa beds, or child’s single beds – charged at half the adult price. It’s all about putting family value at the heart of luxury holidays.

Go Platinum

Upgrade to the VIP SKI Platinum Service and a private chef will prepare a menu of all your favourite foods, while a sommelier provides the very finest wines. With port, handmade chocolates and complimentary mini-bar filled with your favourite drinks and snacks, you’ll feel right at home. An upgrade also includes a chauffeur to whisk you from the airport to your luxury chalet. The Platinum Service is available in all of VIP SKI’s chalets this season.

Weekend wonders at Hotel Montjola

Guests wishing to stay in Hotel Montjola can now choose Saturday or Sunday arrivals. This is VIP SKI’s brand new property in St Anton, located just above the two main lifts and the centre of the charming Austrian town. All bedrooms have en suites, cable TV and WiFi, while many have a balcony or terrace with spectacular views. Choose from twin, double or Austrian twin rooms, plus family rooms with double sofa bed or child single beds, and suites.

Dependable travel

By chartering its own aircraft directly from Flybe and Aer Lingus, VIP SKI offers a reliable service from Gatwick and Manchester, and is determined to get you to your chalet with the minimum of fuss. Business Class flights and private transfers are available. VIP SKI prices for seven nights start from £779 per person based on 2 sharing at the CLUB Alaska in Morzine. Included are return flights from Gatwick, coach transfers, accommodation, catered chalet board of breakfast, afternoon tea, three course evening meal on six nights followed by cheese board and coffee and mints, wine, wake up drinks and canapés on the first and last evening. Complimentary ski and snowboard hosting service is available on three days plus daily newspapers.  For more information call VIP SKI now on 0844 557 3119 or simply visit the fully interactive website www.vip-chalets.com