The essential dates for your diary;
5 December
World Cup downhill racing in North America – the men are in Beaver Creek, USA, the ladies in Lake Louise, Canada. Racing continues through the weekend.
6
Free skiing (as in free of charge, not freeriding, although you could do both) in the Méribel Valley and a free breakfast to the first 100 people that register on the opening day of Les 3 Vallées’ season at the Méribel Tourist Office.
6
Austria’s largest ski area, the Skiwelt, opens. Now bigger than ever, with 280km of piste, it will also feature one of the world’s most expensive ski lifts, the €10m eight-seater lift complete with heated seats at Scheffau.
7
It’s the 15th annual Santa Sunday at Sunday River in Maine, USA, when 250 pre-registered Santas arrive at the resort in full attire and with a donation in hand in order to schuss down the lower slopes of South Ridge free of charge. Last year the event raised $2,100 (£942) for the local Rotary Club’s holiday toy drive.
13
Val d’Isère starts the season off in style with spectacular World Cup ski races which are free for spectators. The men will compete first, on 13 December (giant slalom) and 14 December (slalom), speeding down the legendary Face de Bellevarde. The women compete in the downhill on 20 December and the giant slalom on 21 December.
19
World Cup racing in Val Gardena, Italy. This remains the race where Britain got their best ever World Cup result, when Konrad Bartelski finished second 33 years ago. The men’s super-G is on Friday 19 and the men’s downhill on Saturday 20.
25
Free skiing or boarding for Santa (or Mrs Claus, a reindeer or an elf) on Christmas Day at Mt Norquay, Banff, Canada. “And no cheating – only those that dress in full costumes will get a free lift ticket. A Santa hat doesn’t count!” the resort warns.
28
The men’s downhill from Santa Caterina, near Bormio, in Italy.
31
New Year celebrations in ski resorts across the northern hemisphere. 30,000 are expected in Kitzbühel for the legendary display by pyrotechnic maestro Armin Lukasser.
1 January 2015
The annual piglet race in Klosters is a must-ski as the tiny porkers race through the famous resort. The event is best enjoyed with a warming drop of Graubunden Röteli and is accompanied by live music making for an entertaining afternoon for all to kick off the New Year.
