Zoom go bust

The popular Anglo-Canadian airline Zoom has gone bust leaving thousands of independent travellers stranded and tour operators on the search for alternative flights for customers.

The low-cost airline, which served a number of Canadian cities from the UK, was founded in 2001 and has proved particularly popular with people looking for cheap ski holidays in western Canada's ski resorts including top Worldski destinations such as Whistler Blackcomb, Banff and Lake Louise.

In a press release Hugh and John Boyle (founders of Zoom) said: 'We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to cease all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff. We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights and have done everything we can to support the airline. Even as late as yesterday we had secured a new investment package but the actions of creditors meant we could not continue flying. The collapse of Zoom is beyond our control.'

Anyone booked on the airline as part of a ski holiday package should be protected by the ATOL licence and be found alternative flights by their tour operators. All bookings made with http://www.worldski.com/ have been protected and alternative flights found.

Snow already in Breckenridge

Breckenridge Ski Resort - It´s the height of summer in Colorado but winter has reared its head early as snow dusted Breckenridge and with opening day at Breckenridge only 83 days away things look good for winter 2008-9

Horizon Air Announces Daily Flights to Mammoth

Horizon Air announced today the airline will offer new daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Mammoth Mountain for the 2008/2009 winter sports season starting December 18, 2008

“The addition of commercial air service to Mammoth represents a big step toward realizing our shared vision to become a destination ski resort community,” said Rusty Gregory, CEO of Mammoth Mountain.“Instead of a drive of five hours or more, you’ll be able to take a 65-minute flight, arriving in Mammoth in time for a relaxing dinner before hitting the ski slopes of Mammoth the next day.”

Horizon’s new flight is expected to boost tourism to Mammoth by facilitating inbound travel from a wide variety of national and international airlines that fly into LAX. Similarly, travelers from Mammoth will gain an easier way to travel, with connections to dozens of destinations coast to coast and around the world served by Alaska, Horizon and other airlines at LAX.

The new daily service runs from Dec. 18, 2008, through April 12, 2009. The one-hour-and-five-minute flight departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) daily at 2:20 p.m. and arrives at Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) at 3:25 p.m. The return flight leaves Mammoth at 4:05 p.m. and arrives at LAX at 5:10 p.m.

Just 15 minutes from the Mammoth Yosemite Airport, Mammoth Mountain currently hosts more than 1.1 million skiers per year, making it the third most visited mountain resort in the country. Mammoth Mountain is Southern California’s favorite ski resort, well known for long seasons and plentiful snowfall.

Colorado results are in! It's a record year for snow

Eight Colorado ski resorts saw snow reports worthy of the record books according to Colorado Ski Country USA. The state of Colorado saw more than 100 powder days based on a tally of the number of days one resort or another picked up new snow. After many resorts delayed opening their doors because of poor early snow conditions the season really did kick off with a bang in December.

Among the 26 ski resort members, record snowfall was recorded at Beaver Creek (430 inches), Crested Butte (422 inches), Monarch Mountain (482 inches), Powderhorn (320 inches), Silverton (550 inches), Snowmass (450 inches), Steamboat (489 inches) and Telluride (353 inches).

Vail saw its third snowiest winter on record, Durango Mountain Resort recorded its fifth snowiest winter and snowfall totals at both Sunlight Mountain Resort near Glenwood Springs and Copper Mountain landed in the top 10 in the resorts’ histories, according to Ski Country.Keystone ski resort tied its best snowfall in the previous eight years, and Eldora received its best snow year in the previous five years. December and January were record snow months at Snowmass and Vail, and Telluride received record snowfall from December to February. January and February snowfall were amongst the highest in Loveland’s history, and 2007-’08 marked the first time Steamboat surpassed the 100-inch cumulative mark for three months in one ski season — from December through to February.

New service from LA to Mammoth Lakes

The FAA have approved for the coming winter a daily daytime service between Los Angeles LAX Airport and Mammoth Yosemite Airport.

This is great news for skiers and boarders and with plans to use a 76 seater Bombardier turbo prop international travellers will no longer be faced with a car journey of 4 journey from Reno or a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

This is great news for UK skiers who want to visit Mammoth Mountain, one of the best ski resorts in North America and plans are afoot to increase this in 2011 to 8 flights a day as regional flights from Las Vegas, Northern California and San Diego are added.

1 stop flights to to Aspen from Gatwick with Delta

Delta Airlines have announced that they will start daily non-stop flights from Atlanta to Aspen/Snowmass starting on December 20, 2008 and retain the service throughout the winter 08/09 season!

This is great news for skiers and boarders and means that those looking to take a ski holiday in Aspen or Snowmass can make the trip with Delta Airlines with only a single stop over in Atlanta.

In the past two years the team at Worldski have seen several new air routes coming into Aspen Airport making Aspen/Snowmass the easiest and arguably the best Ski Resort for total travel time for any UK skier. I mean who can beat a 15 minute transfer time to your hotel!!!!

So we when it comes to booking your holiday to Aspen and Snowmass this coming winter remember that you have the choice of the following flights:

United Airlines: Daily Direct from LHR - DEN with easy 28 minute flight time service to Aspen/Snowmass

United Airlines: Daily Direct Flight(s) into Chicago (ORD) from LHR with connecting service to Aspen/Snowmass

Delta Airlines: Daily Direct Flights(s) into Atlanta (ATL) from LGW with connecting service to Aspen/Snowmass.

...and don't forget about the daily non-stop flights on British Airways from LHR to DEN. Although there is no code share flights up to Aspen/Snowmass with a ticket from BA, there are multiple flights on United Airlines and now Frontier Airlines from Denver to Aspen/Snowmass!

Considering 3 years ago there was no way to come to Aspen/Snowmass from the UK on a protected 1-stop flight things have come a long way.

With these kind of options we look forward to see many of you on the slopes this coming winter.

Sir Elton rocks Ischgl

The end of season ski parties are getting bigger and bigger with stars such as Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Sting, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, Stereophonics and the Scissor Sisters having all performed in the past to huge crowds in ski resorts in Europe and North America.

Last week was no exception with Sir Elton John as the main attraction in Austria as he performed at the end of season party in the ski resort of Ischgl. Having just squeezed the rock legends piano into the cable car, Sir Elton John gave a 2 hour 'free' concert at an altitude of 2,320 metres and worked his way through his greatest hits including Rocket Man, Daniel, Pinball Wizard, Bennie and The Jets, Crocodile Rock and Yellow Brick Road.

Sir Elton admitted he had never skied or snowboarded. "I would love to as it looks fun, but my travel insurance won't allow me to in case I beak an arm or something," he said before the show.
Concerts like this are really a marketing strategy for the ski resorts, and for 25,000 skiers at the weekend the concert was a nice end to a great days skiing. It is also part of a strategy for ski resorts to offer more than just skiing to attract a wider client base, partly fuelled by worries about global warming and the prospects that there will be less snow in the future.

Need a lift pass, then take your phone

Famous Canadian Rocky Mountain ski resort, Sunshine Village is to trial a new mCommerce mobile phone ticketing system which will allow skiers and boarders to avoid lift ticket windows and to move directly to the ski lifts where their mobile phone will replace traditional ski passes and be scanned to gain lift access.

Sunshine Village, one of North America's most technologically innovative ski resorts, will be completing a live test of the system to review the operational complications of putting this new lift pass system in place for next year's ski season. This is the first time this advanced technology has been trialled in North American ski industry. Upon successful completion of the demonstration test this week, the intent is to implement the programme for the start of the next ski season.

The initial test of the mCommerce application at Sunshine ski resort is being conducted in conjunction with the movie industry's Show Canada Conference and Trade Show being held this week in the nearby ski resort of Banff.

Seasons over - New seasons begun

Once upon a time the team at Worldski were fortunate to have a few weeks off after Easter as skiers put their minds to summer holidays rather than next years ski trip, but those days are over as clients book their ski holidays earlier and earlier.

Following exceptional snow conditions this year both here in Europe and in North America skiers and boarders are getting their reservations in early especially for ski resorts in Colorado like Breckeneridge where for the first time in a number of years a new direct service from United will compete with British Airways. More competition on this route can only serve to bring down prices and attract even more snow lovers westward.

Chalets for the peak dates are also being snapped early and skiers and snowboarders are putting down their deposits early to make sure they don't miss out. A recent booker advised that in a time of uncertainty with the economy and a projected housing slump, planning for next years ski trip gave him something to aim for. I look it this way he said ' better to go without a few luxuries like meals and out and coffee's from Starbucks than miss out on my major treat of the year'

If your looking for a bargain deal and making of the most of the recent great snow then April is bargain time to go skiing.

Last week was a very snowy one in the Europe. Sunday and Monday kicked off the week with widespread snowstorms across France, Switzerland and Austria with some resorts including Val D’Isère, picking up more than 2 feet in 24 hours – and the good new is it’s been snowing on and off ever since. So if that makes you wonder whether there is still time to ski this season then the answer is yes – but only if your careful about where to go.

Normally late season means that the lower resorts which have slopes facing the sun tend to fair badly with slushy conditions so our advice at Worldski is to avoid them altogether and aim high and for us that means skiing above 2000m.

The good news is that holiday prices fall through the floor at the end of the season and with Easter been and gone there are plenty of cheap deals to be had . Our advice as always is give us a call and speak to a member of our dedicated ski sales team on 0870 4288706 and let them point you in the right direction.

FREE Eurotunnel Upgrade to FlexiPlus,with our Self-Drive Ski packages from just £99 per person per week*

Taking your own car to the Continent offers you total freedom and is one of the most convenient and economical ways of reaching your European destination. Plan a crossing time to suit your needs and enjoy the comfort of travelling to the slopes in your own car with everything you need packed in your boot Eurotunnel.

With a crossing time of only 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, Eurotunnel offers the fastest Channel crossing with your car. Its reliable service operates round the clock, 365 days a year, taking the hassle out of travelling to the Continent. Choose from up to 3 departures an hour during peak periods - no other cross-Channel operator offers you more choice.

With its own motorway junction (11a M20), access to the Passenger Terminal couldn't be simpler. Prior to boarding the shuttles, you will pass through both UK and French frontier controls which means on arrival in France, you simply drive off the shuttle and onto the European motorway network.

Whilst onboard, relax in the comfort of your own car during the short crossing. The Eurotunnel experience is simple and hassle free - no wonder they are the preferred choice for over 1 million motorists each year.

FlexiPlus Upgrade - Upgrade to FlexiPlus to benefit from a dedicated check-in, exclusive lounge serving complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and snacks and priority boarding on the next available shuttle.

Please note: Height restrictions - when you book let us know if your car and equipment are more than 1.85m high. For alternative Channel crossing options, please contact us.

How are these for snow reports??

Vail Ski Resort <:- January’s total snowfall was 98 inches.- Between Dec and Jan this season, with the two highest number of days when snow fell in Vail’s recent history, Vail has received a total 16.25 feet of snow.- January is, on average, when Vail gets the most snow. Our average monthly total is 64.3” which means we made it almost 3 feet (or 33.7 inches) over average.- Year-to-date snowfall total is 239”, 4.5 feet over the average. It’s the 2nd best snowfall total in the past 10 years (with Jan 31, 2006 coming in first).



Beaver Creek Ski Resort:- Beaver Creek has received 238 inches of snow season-to-date. - Beaver Creek received 234 inches of accumulative snowfall through January 31, 2008. The historical average through January 31 is 169 inches.- Snowiest January since 1996 for Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek received 93 inches of snow in January 2008. Beaver Creek received 105.2 inches of snow in January 1996. (The historical average for the month of January is 52.4 inches.)- December 2007 was the snowiest December since 1996 for Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek received 90 inches of snow in December 2007. Beaver Creek received 100.9 inches of snow in December 1996. (The historical average for the month of December is 54.6 inches.)



Breckenridge Ski Resort:- :-Year-to-date snowfall of 156.5 inches – 120% of historical average.Keystone:-Snowiest January in 7 years - Keystone received 46 inches - Nearly 4 feet of snow - best is January 2006 with 61 inches-Second-best year-to-date season snowfall ever with 147 inches - best is January 2006 with 196 inches-Snowiest December on record with 64 inches - previous best was 63 inches in December 2005.



Heavenly Ski Resort:- :-160 inches of snow fell in January alone – snowiest month on record (records go back to 1975-76).-Snowpack is currently 23 percent higher than average.

They are calling it the storm of the Century!

Skiers and snowboarders are celebrating an epic start to the New Year. The first week of 2008 has already delivered a powerful punch with 8 feet of powder from the latest Lake Tahoe snowstorm at Heavenly Ski Resort . According to Russ Pecoraro, Heavenly Ski Resort’s director of communications, this weekend’s snowstorm is the biggest one to hit Heavenly Ski Resort since 1995, sparking some to call it “The Storm of the Century.”

Last weekends storm left an amazing 11 feet of fresh powder snow at Kirkwood with another 5 to 9 feet at other ski areas around Lake Tahoe. Around 2 to 4 feet of snow fell by the lakeside during the three-day storm which resulted in numerous road closures and delays.

New Year snowstorms have also pounded the Colorado Rocky Mountain resorts of

Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, adding to the above-average snowfall this season. The latest storm delivered up to 2 feet of snow at Beaver Creek, 16 inches of powder at Vail and up to a foot at Breckenridge and Keystone.

Mother Nature’s not done yet. The Colorado Rocky Mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone are under a winter storm warning through midnight and forecasters are calling for more snow for the Lake Tahoe ski resort of Heavenly through Thursday.

News from our friends in Colorado

Copper, Winter Park and Steamboat Snow update for the week of January 2, 2008

Dear All,

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and started the New Year with a few drinks and a smile! The Holidays in the Colorado High Country were white with lots of snow and a major blizzard on January 30, which unfortunately made traveling a bit difficult for about 24 hours, but left lots of new snow. Steamboat was the big snow winner for the last week.


THIRD SNOWIEST DECEMBER: A MONTH TO REMEMBER IN STEAMBOAT
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO

December 31, 2007-With more than 6 feet of snow during the past two weeks, December 2007 will be a month forever etched in the memories of Steamboat powderhounds as 126 inches (10.5 ft) of Champagne Powder® snow blanketed the resort this month alone, making it the 3rd snowiest December on record in the past 29 years.

Steamboat is in an active storm cycle that has yielded 20 inches of new snow in the past 48-hours. At mid-mountain, the resort has piled up a whooping 44 inches (3.67 ft) of fresh snow in the past week; 74 inches (6.17 ft) in the past two weeks and is reporting a 50-inch base at mid-mountain and 54-inch base at the summit on powder conditions. Steamboat is currently offering powderhounds 2,931 acres (99% of the mountain), 158 trails, 18 lifts and 3,668 vertical feet of skiing/riding enjoyment.

For the month of December, 126 inches (10.5 ft) fell at mid-mountain, making this the 3rd snowiest December on record and the 6th time the resort has surpassed the 100” mark for the month in the past 29 years. The resort has seen snow 26 out of 31 days (84%) this month, with 14 of those days recording more than four inches. This season, 166 inches (13.8 ft) of Champagne Power snow has staked up at the ski area’s mid-mountain site.

Snow Report (December 31, 2007)

20/50.8 cm Past 48 hours
44”/111.76 cm Base
166”/421.6 cm Snowfall this Season
158 Runs
18 Lifts
2,931 Acres

Winter Park

Snow Report (January 2, 2008)

4”/ 10.16cm Past 48 hours
43”/109 cm Base
116.5”/296 cm Snowfall this Season
2,308 Acres open
126 Runs
25 Lifts

Copper Mountain

Copper received 12”/30.48 cm of new snow this past week!

Snow Report (January 2, 2008)b

2”/ 5.08 cm Past 48 hours
38”/ 96.5 cm Base
114”/ 290 cm Snowfall this Season
115 Runs
21 Lifts
1706 Acres Open

Cheap Aspen Ski Passes

Once again the team at Worldski can save you money on your next trip to Aspen

Providing we supply your ski pass in association with a pre-booked holiday package, Worldski can save you up to 40% on the price you pay locally.

Details on Aspen, Snowmass lift-passes

Ski-pass Offers

High season - Feb 15 - Mar 27 2008 - Buy 8 days, get 14 - Must book by 11 Jan 2008
Late season - Mar 28 - Apr 13 2008 - Buy 8 days, get 14 - Must book by 15 Feb 2008
Late season - Mar 28 - Apr 13 2008 - Buy 12 days, get 20 - Must book by 15 Feb 2008

Whats new at Worldski

Leading independent ski and snowboard operator Worldski has great deals for the 2007/08 season for ski & snowboarding holidays in both Europe and North America.

WorldSki offers people the right deal on ski holidays, ski accommodation and ski extras including liftpasses, ski hire and ski insurance all at great rates. Simply compare the prices and book online at Worldski .

The site has recently been voted in the top 10 "Best Ski Websites" by Mark Frary of "The Times and "The Times Online". WorldSki continues to offer skiers and snowboarders the best deals, and new for 2007/2008, WorldSki.com has a "Ski Special Offers" by country section, offering users a quick and easy guide to some of the best value ski accommodation deals in Europe and North America, such as France from as little as £55 per person per week and the USA from as little as £96 per person per week .

WorldSki offer simple and convenient online booking for the all important ski extras including Lift Passes, Ski and Snowboard rental and ski insurance including off-piste . Other items can still be booked even if the actual holiday arrangements have been made elsewhere. Get a quote and book online and save; there are many great deals on liftpasses booked online with WorldSki.

WorldSki offers winter sports travel insurance cover for as little as £9 for each individual, single trip cover, when booked online.The great savings on accommodation and the ski extras combined with a simple booking method means that WorldSki continues to offer its customers real choice, convenience, flexibility and value for money on this season's winter sports holiday.www.worldski.com - Carving the Cost !

Fresh Tracks Anyone?

The team at Worldski receive emails daily from the marketing departments of ski resorts around the world advising on snow conditions, current events etc but we felt that this image from Bob Bayliss who represents Aspen Snowmass was amazing.

Skiing in Aspen has to be one of the best experiences on offer in the United States and with weather conditions like this, who needs to go heli-skiing.

Over the weekend Aspen Snowmass received over 75cm of snow and takes the base at the peak to over 115cm. Click here to view the most recent snow reports for Aspen and see not only the latest conditions for this premier Colorado resort but a host of other information including a current 7 day forecast for the resort.

If you need to stay current with the snow conditions in your chosen resort this winter don't forget that all the resort conditions are updated daily on the resort destination pages on www.worldski.com

Worldski extend their 15% discount on 'Peak Season' travel dates

The team at Worldski have extended their '15% Off' Discount Offer on ski holidays to all of their featured destinations over the Christmas and New Year period. The offer includes top destinations such as skiing holdays to Aspen in the United States and skiing holidays to Whistler in Canada.

The '15% Off ' offer applies to all Worldski's directly contracted programme which includes a wide range of hotels, apartments and condos in over 120 ski destinations worldwide.

Top destinations for Christmas and New Year include France where prices are reasonable especially when clients are chosing a self-drive option using either the ferry or Eurotunnel which avoids nasty peak season flight supplements.

These offers are limited so hurry and get in contact with the team at Worldski as soon as you are ready to book.

Only two days to go to get your 'early booking' discount

As we approach the start of the winter 2007/8 season the team at Worldski are working hard to keep up with the demand on our 'Early Booking Offers' on ski holidays which are being offered with an Extra 15% DISCOUNT on peak travel dates!

Great savings can be made when you travel during high season dates which includes 29th December to 6th January 2008, 9th to 17th February 2008 and 14th to 24th March 2008. Book early to avoid dissapointment. Offers Valid until the 30th November 2007