MountainDayz

We differentiate between marketing, sales, enabler and adjacent in the European Ski Tech Ecosystem 2013.

Marketing refers to the many marketing options, which a lift company can choose to engage with. These services are paid and driven by the available marketing budget, see above.

Sales (also: performance marketing) is a very different sector. It is typically not driven by marketing budgets, as the fee structure is commission-based. Some ski resorts have a proprietary website that includes the possibility to book ski passes online. In this case, online ticketing is mostly based on RFID-based booking (providing date-specific access rights to a smart card, which you can buy at the ski resort). The same is offered by some external service providers, too. Skiers can sometimes find ski pass deals with online deal providers and can redeem the coupons throughout the season. The niche MountainDayz is capturing is e-commerce combined with yield optimizing capabilities. With date-specific prices and limited availability ski passes can be booked online just like air fares or hotel rooms in order to optimize demand for any given day (please read our press kit for more details).

Enablers are incumbent and new technology services that provide on-site access and online booking solutions that are a solid basis for this ecosystem. In the adjacent section we can find offers and services, such as ski schools booking and ski equipment rental, which have a direct correlation with ski passes and can be packaged together with ski passes.

All mountain snowboards

Burton Custom X - the Burton Custom model has its roots in the early days of commercial snowboarding and is most certainly a classic. Burton kept on driving its evolution and here we are: an honest, solid, easy-to-ride all mountain snowboard. It is considerably stiff and a classic camber. No surprises here.

Lib Tech has some decent boards and we could not agree on one specific model, rather it depends on your personal preferences. What the top models of Lib Tech have in common are two innovations: banana shape (you hear other brands talking about rocker, V, or reverse camber - some early day SIMS snowboards might had this already but it was Lib Tech to finally make sense out of it) and magne traction (with 5-7 contact points on every edge, rather than 2). Our preferences are:

Lib Tech Skunk Ape - a solid performance board for people with large feet. Broader snowboards are typically more difficult to control but with the hybrid camber/banana shape cancels out this flaw. It is easy to turn and provides control in all situations.

Lib Tech Phoenix - we just love the graphics by team rider Jamie Lynn, which made us all buy our first Lib Tech. Compared to the Skunk Ape this board is slimmer and even more agile.

Another tip: if you appreciate the tech specs of Lib Tech but are looking for something slightly cheaper, go for GNU (e.g. model BillyGoat), which is produced by the same manufacturer.

Nidecker Ultralight - this board is all mountain with a strong freeride flavor. On a good powder day, when you find steep terrain with average size drops and the run probably ends through the woods with quick and sharp turns between stumps and branches, this board should be your choice. Of course, also good on the 80% other days you are in the mountains ;) It is so light because they do not use glue in the production process.

YES Snowboards is an upcoming brand with fresh ideas and first-hand knowledge. Among the founders are pro riders DCP, Romain de Marchi, and JP Soldberg who let Nidecker produce their board designs. At YES you can find nicely shaped boards for all preferences but we have 2 favorites:

YES Pick your line - with a hybrid camber/rocker and directional set-up, this board keeps all options open. Go for the 161w model and take it to the pow to see why it is named "pick your line."

YES TDF - classic camber-style twin board designed for pro rider Tadashi Fuse. It clearly is heavily freestyle-influenced but if you have seen some video footage of Tadashi, then you will know that backcountry big air is his thing.

Freestyle snowboards

Slash by Gigi ATV Hub - Pro rider Gigi Ruef designed this freestyle board and made it a bit more flexible when it comes to the terrain. It's a twin, but directional and it is a full camber.

Capita is another riders-owned upcoming brand that builds freestyle-oriented snowboards. We have not yet had the chance to try it, but it looks promising and we hear that their boards are decent.

Backcountry snowboards

Jones Snowboards Ultracraft - a super light splitboard with swallow tail, any questions? Camber/rocker hybrid and magne traction ensure these touring skis behave like a snowboard after clicking them together.

Dupraz D1 6' - if you want to get more serious about backcountry, you should look at this rocket. We don't buy the brand's all-mountain claim for this board, but it is a fun thing on a powder day in a freeride ski resort.

PowderJet Gypsy - while the Dupraz is already extreme, this one goes back to the roots and is only something for purists. No edges, looks like the "Snurfer" from 1965, and - we guess - nothing for ski resorts at all.

For park and urban snowboards don't ask us, we are more on the old school side of this sport ;)

In the German-speaking part of Switzerland the ski resorts Arosa and Lenzerheide form an alliance to create one of the top ski areas in Switzerland. The link is provided by a new 1.7 km gondola ropeway. The combined offering includes 225 km of ski slopes and 42 lifts, not counting the children facilities. Tickets are uncomplicated - one ticket fits all (CHF 69 for adults).

The new Auenfeldjet gondola ropeway connects the two Austrian ski resorts Lech/Zürs and Warth/Schröcken at ca. 1,700 meters above sea level. The new installment creates a combined ski area with 47 lifts and 190 km prepared tracks. The downside of it is that ticketing gets much more complicated here, so make sure you are buying the right ski pass (i.e. "Ski Arlberg Skipass") to enjoy the full area.

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer ski resorts open over summer. So, we will update you every year. Here is the latest list for summer 2013.

Austria

Dachstein Gletscher (2,296 - 2,700 m): you can ski from May 18 until the winter season start of the surrounding ski resorts. An adult ski pass sells for EUR 40.00.

Hintertuxer Gletscher (1,500 - 3,250 m): this glacier is Austria's only year round ski resor and is open 365 days. Two snowparks, Betterpark and Familypark, offer fun on high altitude. From May 11 to October 11 there are summer rates and a ski pass is EUR 39.50.

Kaunertaler Gletscher (2,150 - 3,108 m): the summer season lasts from April 6 to June 9 and day ski pass costs EUR 35.00.

Kitzsteinhorn-Kaprun (911 - 3,029 m): the summer season is divided in two blocks, i.e. May 21 - June 6 and June 28 - July 2, with ski passes available at EUR 35.00.

Mölltaler Gletscher (1,200 - 3,122 m): for summer ski there are 3 runs prepared and open daily until 2 pm, depending on weather and snow. The summer season starts June 21 with a seamless transition into winter season. An adult ski pass retails at EUR 42.50 winter and summer.

Pitztaler Gletscher (1,640 - 3,440 m): unfortunately, closed for the summer - however, they start again on September 14 for an early season start.

Sölden (1,350 - 3,340 m): summer and fall season skiing is possible June 22 - October 13 with different runs open at different periods. Ski passes are available at EUR 38.50.

Stubaier Gletscher (1,750 - 3,210 m): closed for the summer but has a fall season starting mid/end of September (depending on snow conditions) until Oktober 11. A day pass is EUR 34.90.

France

Alp d'Huez (1,860 - 3,330 m): the glacier welcomes you from July 6 until a date to be announced, but latest August 25. The lift runs daily from 7:45 to 12:00 am and a ski pass is EUR 20.00.

La Grave (1,400 - 3,550 m): you can ski between 2,400 and 3,200 m from June 15 untila a date to be announced, but latest September 8. The lift brings skiers up at 8:30 am. Ski passes are EUR 23.00.

Les 2 Alpes (1,650 - 3,600 m): you can ski from June 22 to August 31 daily 7:15 am - 12:30 pm with ski passes available online at EUR 36.00.

Tignes (1,550 - 3,456 m): the summer set-up is available from June 15 - August 4 with "the Grande Motte Massif" opening from July 6. There are 12 lifts providing you access to 20 km of runs daily from 7:15 am to 1:00 pm. Ski passes sell at EUR 22.00, from July 6 at EUR 31.50.

Val d'Isère (1,850 - 3,456 m): you can ski at the glacier Pissaillas until July 13, open daily from 7:00 to 12:15 pm. The ski pass is available for EUR 25.00.

Italy

Breuil - Cervinia (1,524 - 3,480 m): situated on the Italian side of the famous "Matterhorn" (= Cervino) it opens for the summer season from June 29 - September 8. Ski passes are available at EUR 31.00. Ski passes are valid only for the Italian side, but you can also connect to the Swiss side (Zermatt).

Schnalstal / Val Senales (2,011 - 3,212 m): unfortunately, now closed for the summer but expected to reopen early on October 3 with three lifts and up to 8 km of runs.

Stilfserjoch / Passo dello Stelvio (2,760 - 3,450 m): Europe's largest summer ski resort opens June 1 to November 3 - yes, you read correctly: it is a summer-only ski resort. It is not only famous for ski but also for its stunning roads for cycling. TopGear dubbed the mountain road "the world's greatest driving road." Ski passes are EUR 36.00 a day.

Valtournenche (1,524 - 2,050 m): this resort is connected to Breuil - Cervinia and opens for the summer season July 13 - September 1. Ski pass prices are the same.

Norway

Fonna Glacier (1,200 - 1,450 m): the ski resort is open until mid August. A ski pass is NOK 360.00.

Galdhopiggen (1,850 - 2,200 m): you can ski from May 18 - July 14 and August 2 - October (unspecified). A ski pass is available for NOK 300.00.

Stryn (1,060 - 1,600 m): the summer ski season begins May 24 and ends July 14. Ski passes are NOK 370.00 a day.

Sweden

Riksgränsen (500 - 910 m): on June 20-23 you can actually midnight sun ski in Riksgränsen above the Arctic Circle. The price for a ski pass is SEK 300.00.

Switzerland

Saas-Fee (1,800 - 3,600 m): enjoy summer skiing between July 27 - October 31 daily at least until 01:00 pm . Ski passes are available at CHF 69.00.

Austria

Hintertuxer Gletscher (1,500 - 3,250 m): The main winter season lasts until May 10. However, Hintertuxer Gletscher is a 4-season ski resort open 365 days.

Kaunertaler Gletscher (2,150 - 3,108 m): The ski resort remains open until June 9.

Kitzsteinhorn (911 - 3,029 m): In the Salzburg region you can ski at the Kitzsteinhorn until June 2 and then again from June 28 - July 21.

Pitztaler Gletscher (1,640 - 3,440 m): The ski resort remains open until May 12.

Soelden (1,350 - 3,340 m): Soelden combines two glaciers (Rettenbach, Tiefenbach). The spring skiing season ends on May 5. You can ski again from September 7 depending on snow conditions.

Stubaier Gletscher (1,750 - 3,210 m): The main winter season ends May 4, while the spring season lasts from May 5 until mid June (exact date undefined and dependend on snow conditions).

France

Chamonix Mont-Blanc (1,035 - 3,842 m): The area of The Grand Montets (up to 3,300 m) is open until May 12.

Tignes (1,550 - 3,456 m): In Tignes, Val d'Isère espace killy, you can enjoy 300 km of runs until May 5 and with a reduced set-up until May 12. The summer season dates are July 6 - August 4.

Val Thorens - Les Trois Vallées (1,800 - 3,230 m): 99% of this ski resort is above 2,000 m and belongs to the largest and highest ski resorts in the world. You can ski until May 12.

Germany

Zugspitze (2,000 - 2,720 m): Winter season ends May 1.

Switzerland

Engelberg Titlis (1,050 - 3,020 m): The lift Engelberg-Trübsee-Titlis runs until May 26. Others may close in April depending on conditions.

Engadin/St. Moritz (1,870 - 3,303 m): In this conglomerate of ski resorts you can ski until May 5 at Corvatsch and until May 20 at Diavolezza. For April, we still have great deals for skipass + hotel on MountainDayz, click here.

Verbier (1,500 - 3,330 m): The main stations of Verbier bring you up until April 28. We do have some great deals for Verbier, too, click here.

Zermatt (1,620 - 3,883 m): Zermatt is a 4-season ski resort. While the main winter season lasts until May 5, you can ski from May 6 onwards for the whole summer until winter season 2013/2014 starts in October.

La Fouly

Image: La Fouly

If you think that small resorts are only for beginners, La Fouly will convince you about the contrary. As a matter of fact, there is only one beginners lift (you can also go sledding there) left from the base station. Everything else is steep. Especially, if there is fresh snow the off-piste options are amazing. Deals available here.

Château d'Oex

Image: MountainDayz @ Château d'Oex

Tip 1: Just go

Ski resorts are the perfect place to date people. Just take one of our offers and go there, e.g. here for one of the top Swiss ski resorts. Be honest and open. Smile. For sure you’ll meet nice people in the hotel, at the slope, in the lift or at the après ski party. Feeling fine with the world after a perfect ride down the hill makes it easy to connect. 

Tip 2: Arrange your date before

If you want to play safe, you might want to arrange your date before showing up at your day in the snow. There are plenty of dating sites only to find singles around the globe and arrange your date. Why not plan your date in the snow? If you are unclear on which dating site to sign up with, check out this dating comparison expert site. Make sure your date enjoys white powder days as much as you do and book a limited 2-for-1 deal at the Zahmer Kaiser in Tyrol.

Tip 3: Join a tour

Finally, there are even singles tours to the mountains organized in every big city. By bus, train or car sharing – singles meet to hit the slopes. Knowing that only singles are around you makes it easy to talk to someone that is also searching for her or his soulmate. Easy.

 Have a perfect day dating in the snow!

I had the pleasure to visit Zahmer Kaiser this weekend and believe that there are very good reasons to come back

the resort is easy to reach from cities in southern Germany and western Austria. You can even park your car directly at the lift - super convenient

the tracks are well prepared and if the snow is fresh (as it happened to be this weekend) there are some nice powder tracks left or right off-piste through the forrest

there is absolutely no queuing

the food in the restaurant is good and resonably priced

For me, Zahmer Kaiser is a top "laid-back" resort and a perfect destination for a group of friends with different skill levels. You can speed, ride off-piste, and have some broad tracks for the beginners in your group.

Freestyle skiers and snowboards, however, better find some natural kickers as there is no snow park available.

Thanks, Zahmer Kaiser, for a perfect laid-back day!

Hey, and let´s not forget World Peace Day on 17th of November.

In 2006 another “day” to celebrate around the globe was born: World Snowboard Day.  Initiated by EuroSima and the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) this event wants to provide an opportunity for the international snowboard community to promote snowboarding and its culture to general public. The program of activities includes contests, snowboard lessons, equipment tests, demonstrations, meetings with pro-riders and so on.

But does it work?

According to their figures it is extremely successful. In 2006 34 events in 10 countries took place – in 2011 167 events in 37 countries took place around the globe! That´s a total growth rate of almost 500% in 5 years – impressive!

You find a very nice map with 2012 events here:  http://www.world-snowboard-day.com/en/program.aspx

Besides well-known spots like Verbier in Switzerland or Park City in the US you will find really exotic places here, too. In Ulaanbaatar, capital city of Mongolia the opening of the 1st ski resort in Mongolia will be celebrated on the 30th of December.

Novosibirsk in Russia, Xinjiang in China, Phoenix Park in Korea – there are tons of very interesting spots on the map where events for promoting snowboarding will be hosted. So, get yourself a plane ticket and travel to Ulaanbataar to be among the first riding in Mongolia.

Have fun in the mountains around the globe and ride more!

Telegraph Travel Ski & Snow

The British newspaper knows what their readers want: go on ski trips. There is a library of about 50 ski resort reviews, which is comparatively small. But at least this is quality content, to which book authors contributed. They cover some large resorts per country and also offer some comprehensive overviews (quick reads but you can dive deep, if you are interested in a particular ski resort), e.g. best Austrian ski resorts, or best French ski resorts.

For our French-speaking readers: Skipass.com

Skipass.com has a lot of reviews on their website - all user-generated. This leads to an excellent coverage in France (356 ski resorts and >5,600 reviews) but a low coverage in other countries, e.g. Germany (5 ski resorts - and not the most interesting ones). Funny enough, they have some exotic stuff, e.g. Bulgaria.

Some survey-based resort guides

Transworld Snowboarding conducts a poll every year and presents the best North American ski resorts in its November magazine issue - luckily, you can also see the basic data online, click here. In Europe, every two years there is an interview-based survey in 55 European ski resorts (mainly Alps) conducted by Austrian ski resort consultancy Mountain Management, find their blog here (strangely enough only in German).

Snowbroader.eu Snowparks

Interesting stuff for freestylers - the Snowbroader.eu snowpark section. Find here a selection of snowparks in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. You can find snowpark maps, pictures and videos that motivate you to try out the latest park tricks.

Ski resort listings (not really reviews, but comrehensive in information)

Germany is a skiing and snowboarding country - a study revealed that 23% of Germans are active in wintersports (source: Manova.at). The largest automobile / road assistance club in Germany, the ADAC, dominated the niche for most comprehensive ski resort encyclopedia for ages. The have an online version, which you can find here. And to be modern, the renamed it from ADAC Ski-Atlas to ADAC SkiGuide ;) A true pioneer in providing ski resort data online is the Austrian website Bergfex, find it here in English.

Ride more - with MountainDayz!