In this special episode we are joined by Ben Haver and Clau De Cesaris, who have visited 24 resorts between January and March 2024 and, while doing so, have output some fantastic content across all social channels, resulting in some of the best and most useful content in the world of ski today.

Here are some of the highlights that Ben and Clau talked about but you canalso check out the chapter markers to skip to each section :

The Ischgl Silvretta Therme

Crans Montana

Highlights of the 7 weeks:

Logis St Martin

Ischgl

Les 2 Alpes

Serre Chevalier

Best Hotels

Hotel Crans-Montana Valaisia

Faern Arosa Altein

Best Restaurants

Restaurant La Manouille Serre Chevalier

La Caleche Chamonix

With 3.8m video plays and well over 40k engagements in stories and 623k impressions on Instagram and over a 1/4 million views on TikTok over the last 7 weeks, it's safe to say that people have been captivated by their travels  !

Instagram @InTheSnow_Magazine | clauandben_skitravels 

TikTok@inthesnowmag  | @clauandben

Starting in the Italian Alps in mid-January, Ben and Clau travelled up towards the French Alps, where they took in their first ten resorts, ranging from Serre Chevalier, Les2Alpes, Alpe d’Huez and the huge Les 3 Valleés area, before ending their French leg in Chamonix, where the couple got engaged just a year ago. 

With no time to waste, they went on to Switzerland to take in the luxurious resorts of Crans Montana and St Moritz, before embarking on a three-week Austrian fest, hitting its finest resorts of St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Mayrhofen and Soelden. 

Finally, they  headed back towards the Italian Dolomites to end their seven-week ski-marathon in Livigno, Bormio and Madonna di Campiglio. 

Phew!

How would you like us to compare 24 resorts across four countries..?  WE hope you enjoy the listen.

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

WELCOME TO OUR SPONSORS
The team at Ski Independence Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

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NEWS
New dry ski slope in Kingussie at the Loch Insh outdoor centre that has now opened with the Proslope surface – also seen at 5 other slopes around the UK including Tallington and Snowtrax

La Clusaz has launched its circus festival called Radio Meuh from April 4-7 which includes a number of acts over several nights in the French ski resort. Tickets cost 37 euros and can be purchased online at https://circus.radiomeuh.com/en/ 

Ski racing - the slalom last weekend in Palisades Tahoe, won by Austria’s Manuel Feller. Both Dave Ryding and Billy Major qualified for the second run, unfortunately Billy failed to finish that run and made a mistake close to the top of the course and Dave ended up in 24th place.  This weekend we have the women’s speed races in Kvitfjell, Norway and mens GS and slalom in Aspen, Colorado. The women then head to Are in Sweden, the men to Slovenia before everyone comes together in Saalbach, Austria for the World Cup finals from March 16-24.

Les Arcs had 81% commercial apartment occupancy in January compared to an average of 75% in France overall. More interestingly is the press release then states that the resort at 2,000 metres has 485cm’s of snow compared to 130cm’s at the same time last year.

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This weeks WHERE IS BEST TO SKI RIGHT NOW  is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”

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A ​​shout out today to our friends at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead. London’s closest indoor real snow slope and the largest trainer slope in the country. With a team of highly-qualified ski and snowboard instructors running private and group lessons for all ages, a huge 160-meter main slope, family snow fun with the Ringo slide and an Alpine themed bar and restaurant – there is something for everyone. Visit the snow centre dot com for more.”

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GEAR
The Protector Attack binding from Tyrolia, you don't just get that toe release,  it also offers Full Heel Release (FHR) technology, a first in our Attack series.
Tyrolia.com, £320

Sidas ski comfort ski socks skiracing.co.uk
Insta 360 X3 Camera
Bearhug knee supports from getabearhug.com

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RESORT SHOWCASE
Sierra Nevada
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BUCKET IST DESTINATION
Turkey with Luke Rees from awe365.com and Jamie Barrow worlds fastest snowboarder.   https://www.powdermad.com/

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Welcome to our Sponsors
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

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WHERE IS GOOD TO SKI RIGHT NOW
This weeks weather  round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”

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SPRING SKIING SPECIAL

For the very best advice on this episode take a look at https://www.inthesnow.com/where-is-best-to-ski-this-easter/

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Welcome to our Sponsors
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

*************

NEWS
Mikeys Mountain Miles
mikeysmm.com
International ski patrollers day
hellyhansen.com/skipatrol
Esprit winds up

SNOW REPORT
This weeks weather  round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”

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Gear:
Rossignol Vizion
Shell vs Insualted layers

Spotlight on
www.regiondentsdumidi.ch/  
Also see
www.skiline.co.uk

Bucket list:  Sun Peaks

ROB: what's the size of the ski area?
Second biggest ski area in Canada  4300 acres  139 trails 

ROB: who is the ski area best suited for?

I would probably say for  beginner / intermediates 

ROB: what about the resort, any nice vibes, apres? guess it's not quite like Whistler
 Massa and Bottoms are the places for après cool beers and ice hockey

ROB: any top tips for the best ski run or off-piste? Maybe a day of heli skiing in the area?

5 mile is perfect for improver beginners

The crystal bowl accessed the same way  is really nice for more advanced skiers

Morrisey side of the mountain still smokin i'dunno out of the woods and plenty more. I've done a really nice YouTube video 

ROB: and what about town, best restuarant and bar?

Big cooked breakfast going to Cahilty
Nice coffee and a smoothie and a pastry Altitude and bolacco, Mountain high for very good pizzas 

Bottoms and Massas  good for lunch and après  drinks 

I would also recommend steakhouse at Sun Peaks Lodge and Oya sushi Japanese was really tasty

ROB: how can we get there and where can we stay?

Ski Independence
Sun Peaks Lodge right in the middle of the village  Ski straight to the first lift

ROB: and anything other than skiing
Husky dog sledding
Axe throwing

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Welcome to our Sponsors
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.

Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

*************

NEWS
Recent article in a certain national newspaper about skiing being, ‘too fast and furious’

British skier Zak Carrick-Smith of the St Foy Ski Club has won the first ever British medal in an alpine Olympic event 

17 year old snowboarding prodigy Mia Brookes has taken gold at the X Games. 

Zoe Atkin also won a silver medal in the ski superpipe at the same event in Aspen Colorado.

Fischer is celebrating its centenary in 2024.

Woman trapped in gondola overnight

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WEATHER

This weeks weather  round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”

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GEAR – SIGB SKI TEST

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RESORT SPOTLIGHT – AOSTA VALLEY

19 resorts, over 800 kilometres of slopes, 8 snow parks and a single international electronic ski pass - Check out the Aosta Valley website (https://aosta-valley.co.uk) + Interski offer.

And remember, the Aosta Valley region, with all its 16 resorts, easy location from the UK either by car via the Mont Blanc tunnel – and you’re there straight away or via Turin or Milan airports. I’d say something for everyone – families absolutely, adrenaline seekers, yes, foodies, for sure.

Bucket List - Ben and Clau Skiing 24 resorts in 7 weeks

Starting in the Italian Alps Ben and Clau travel up towards the French Alps, where they will knock off their first ten resorts, ranging from Serre Chevalier, Les2Alpes, Alpe d’Huez and the huge Les 3 Valleés area, before ending their French leg in Chamonix, where the couple got engaged just a year ago. With no time to waste at thre start of February, they will then head into Switzerland to take in the luxurious resorts of Crans Montana and St Moritz, before embarking on a three-week Austrian fest, hitting its finest resorts of St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Mayrhofen and Soelden. Finally, they will head back towards the Italian Dolomites to end their seven-week ski-marathon in Livigno, Bormio and Madonna di Campiglio. Phew!

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

WELCOME OUR SPONSORS SKI INDEPENDENCE
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.

Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

******************

Todays Episode explores every way to get the your ski holiday other than flying.

We start by talking electric cars to the alps and the various why and wherefores.  Take a look at the various maps of electric charge points like ZapMap to help make that journey even easier.

We then cover train travel to resort, and this week we are joined by train travel expert Dan Elkan of Snowcarbon.co.uk who gives us the absolute lowdown on travelling to resort by train and everything you need to know to get to resort in the most environmentally way...and maybe even the fastest or even the most relaxing...check out the Race between Train and Plane to the Alps

And finally we cover all the info you might need if you decide to travel by coach with Snowexpress.

However you choose to get to your favourite ski destination, do consider all options some might be surprisingly more fun, better value and more relaxing :)

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

WELCOME OUR SPONSORS SKI INDEPENDENCE
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.

Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

******************
NEWS
Dolomites Dirndl ski day
Nick Fellows appointed director of FIS TV
Southern Hemisphere news
Andorra is not bound by the EU 90 day within 180 rule
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GEAR GUIDE
Size is key. Getting the fit right is really important, not just for comfort, but safety too.
Two main types, with a third hybrid that combines the two.
1 - a hard shell helmet
2 - an in-mould
Broadly speaking the hard shells are lower cost and hard wearing, whilst the in-mould types provide lighter, but still as strong, protection and can handle better ventilation systems that are more active – in other words you can control the ventilation.

There’s then hybrid helmets that combine both the hard shell and the in-mould manufacturing techniques, which can then provide both value and more functionality.

Style
MIPS that stands for Multi-directional impact protection system
(thats the round yellow badge)
Sweet Protection Igniter 2Vi MIPs helmet that comes in at £219
Oakley Mod5 MIPS £221
Hardnutz currently at around £50 Mountainwarehouse.com

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RESORT SPOTLIGHT - Kitzbuhel

233 kilometres of skiing, with 181 of them being marked and groomed, the rest are left ungroomed and are marked as Ski Routes. There’s 58 ski lifts and it’s one of the world’s most modern lift systems.  You’ve got 60 mountain restaurants across three separate mountain ranges.

All linked up to the Skiwelt which means even more ski lifts – 82 in total and marked trails in several resorts including Brixe, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll and Westendorf.

Skiwelt is the longest ski circuit in the world, it’s 88 km’s long and takes in 14 villages.
Lots of nice intermediate crusiy red runs too -  Hannenkahm race held on th

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Resort Spotlight: Les 7 Laux (Les Sept Laux)

LOCATION
Very close to the city of Grenoble, just up in the Belledonne mountain range in the Dauphiné Alps. Drive into the city of Grenoble in around 30-40 minutes traffic permitting and the airport is just over a one hour’s drive away too. Chambery is also just 50 kms away, so another option for flying in and then driving from Calais would normally take about 8.5 hours.

The train would be London-Paris-Lyon-Grenoble and then a taxi or a bus from there. Not too difficult because you get pretty close in Grenoble and whilst that might not be for everyone...could do a nice little stop over on the way too.

THE SKI AREA
 
 There’s 120 km’s of ski trails that link up three separate villages, there’s about 22 ski lifts, mostly chairs and some drag lifts plus a gondola too, and 90% of the lifts are 10 years old or newer.  Within that 120 km’s there’s 45 individual ski trails that include green, blue, red and black, so genuinely something for every level of skier and snowboarder . It is mostly blues and reds, but there’s 7 black runs so pretty significant and it has the largest freeride area in the region including the The Vallons du Pra trail which is basically a marked off-piste route.
 
 The beginner’s terrain is extensive and separate from the main ski area and then there’s a nice progression onto green runs after that. The majority of runs are blue and red so we are talking about all this freeride terrain but at the end of the day it’s beginners and intermediates that actually get the best deal here.
 
 SKI SCHOOLS
 
 There’s the ESF, ESI: Pro 7 school that also offers freestyle and freeride lessons and a dedicated snowboard school called Slash  and another called Easy Riders. They all say they have English speaking instructors.
SNOW RECORD
Village is 1350, and it goes up to 2400 metres, that’s more than a 1,000 metre vertical and with its location they get good snowfalls through the winter and well into spring here.  A lot of the slopes are north westerly facing so they hold the snow well.

THE VILLAGES
 
 The main village is Prapoutel and it’s where most of the accommodation and facilities are. It’s mostly self-catered accommodation and there’s a good choice of both value and higher end places to stay and it’s easy to walk around – it’s not tiny in any sense but it’s not like a massive town either. It does have that sort of purpose built feel, but in a nice way and the views across the valley are fantastic.

Why is it called Les 7 (seven) Laux?
It was founded in the 1960’s / 70’s by a group formed of 7 communes in the area.
Where do I go for a pint?
O’Bar BU
What about a bit of Tartiflette ?
Le Rocher Blanc
Prices for the actual holiday?
A starting price of around £1500 for the whole apartment for a week and that includes a return Eurotunnel fare

peakretreats.co.uk or call them on 023 9283 9310
Peak Retreats is the French Alps specialist and they have been organising holidays in the French Alps for over 20 years. They have multiple awards pretty much on a yearly basis and they are ABTA bonded. 

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta. 

The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.

Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

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NEWS:

• Snowcamp AJ Bell 3 Valley’s Rally Val Thorens, April 13-16
• Dave Ryding takes bronze
• Green Les Arcs
• Chamonix has reported the most snowfall in the world
• A ski chalet above Cervinia with views from the Italian side of the Matterhorn. that was a ruin in 2015 is now on sale at €24m 
• Tragic accident in St Gervais

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Weather report
Brought to our listeners in association with our friends at
SkiWeekends The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.

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Gear Reviews - Avalanche Air Bag Back Packs

Best for Ski touring… If you’re looking at day tours only then the 25 litre Scott Patrol Ultralight at under 2kg’s is perfect. £1,100 from scott-sports.com

The slightly larger ORTOVOX Avabag :iTRIC Tour 30 litre pack at £1,250 is a good bet. ortovox.com

Best for freeriding - Again you can tour with this pack it’s just slightly larger  the Mammut Pro 45 removable airbag 3.0 costs £650 it’s 45 litres in size and has a removable airbag system with carbon cartridges. Check that out at mammut.com 

Best for travelling - The Deuter Alproof Lite 30 pack comes with loads of tech and a battery that is easy to travel with. £1,300 from deutergb.co.uk 

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Looking back on 2023
Best trip/resort
ROB:  Big Sky in Montana.
DOM: 10 Day Colorado road trip to Beaver Creek, Vail and Breckenridge

Best après
ROB:  Interlaken, Switzerland
DOM: Tignes 

Best bit of kit
ROB:  Armada Declivity 102Ti
DOM: Sweet Protection Helmet Igniter 

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta. 

The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.

Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.

******************
NEWS:
Bognor store opens in London
CO2 FREE groomer starts to roll out on the slopes
Art in the Alps, Suvretta House St Moritz and Les Arcs

******************
Weather report
Brought to our listeners in association with our friends at
SkiWeekends The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered  chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts.  You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.

******************
Gear Reviews
Helly Hansen wins 3 ISPO awards
Arc’teryx academy back
Bode Miller joins UYN

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Resort Spotlight:
Arapahoe Basin we speak to Louis Skowyra Director of Mountain Operations to talk all things A-Basin and what a unique and fantastic skiers mountain it really is with an incredibly long season!

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InTheSnow’s 24 in 24.  

Two Lucky individuals, Ben Haver and Clau De Cesaris sculpted this trip of a lifetime and will visit and compare 24 resorts starting in January 2024.  Whilst doing so, InTheSnow bring you all the freshest content across our social channels this winter, and watch out for 24 brand new resort reviews on our YouTube channel.  

Follow us Instagram @InTheSnow_Magazine TikTok@inthesnowmag 

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Next week we have an  episode dedicated to Les 7 Laux, never heard that name, well this is well worth listening t!!
******************
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year from Rob and I

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
instagram.com/inthesnow
TikTok@inthesnowmag
youtube.com/inthesnowmag
facebook.com/inthesnow


and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com