Ep 86 Happy workers need to live in the resort.
1. Weather 9th December 2025.
2. 19-year-old German climber killed by an avalanche.
3. Train as a ski instructor in Scotland.
4. Utah 2034 logo.
5. Racing to finish cable car and ice hockey rink.
6. Insurance tips.
7. Housing problems in Val and Chamonix.
8. Festive Pastry.
Special Offers I have Spied....
Sunny skiing on soft snow.
A smallish slab avalanche pushed a young German climber to his death when doing a via ferrata on the German Austrian border.
Fancy yourself as a ski instructor ? Why not give it a go in Glencoe in January – details are on the Calendar page.
Olympic prep is not for the faint hearted. While they are rushing to finish a cable car and ice hockey rink in Italy, with 3000 days to go, the Salt Lake City Olympics were rebranded Utah 2034 and the logo has caused controversy.
Before you ski, toboggan or even snow shoe, check your insurance. Any doubts contact your insurer and get their answer in writing. You can buy a good value insurance with your lift pass. Have a sheet of paper in your ski suit pocket with all your medical, contact and insurance details. Do you need a GHIC card ? The insurers often require this….with the requirement in tiny print somewhere on the policy.
Most ski resorts are facing a housing crisis – affordable homes for workers.
Today is US Pastry Day – Laura is off to cook a festive feast with Benoit Vidal…. Sure it must involve pastry !
00:09 - Weather 9th December 2025.
00:34 - 19-year-old German climber killed by an avalanche.
01:12 - Train as a ski instructor in Scotland.
01:35 - Utah 2034 logo.
02:12 - Racing to finish cable car and ice hockey rink.
02:36 - Insurance tips.
04:45 - Housing problems in Val and Chamonix.
06:15 - Festive Pastry.
Good morning Val d’Isėre !
Wasn’t yesterday stunning ! Sunshine Soft snow on Beautifully groomed pistes And a big blue sky One of my friends pointed out that there Were A few Clouds,…. I would call her Picky And fussy !
We look forward to more of the same today ! With a maximum temperature of plus seven
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The winter weather Sadly Brings avalanches
On Saturday A 19-year-old German climber Was killed When a small slab Swept him 350 metres While he was on the via ferrata On Germany’s Zugspitze Near the Austrian Border.
His 21-year-old companion Was clipped to a fixed rope 20 metres higher up And immediately called the rescue services
Despite dogs, helicopters and medical teams He had died from his injuries Under just 30 centimetres of snow
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Do you fancy becoming a ski instructor ? Not sure And don’t want to Art off with The expense of Living a winter in the Alps…..
Why not go to Glencoe In Scotland For their UKSS Level 1 Foundation
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Organising the Olympics Is not for the faint hearted
Along with supporters Are detractors
Controversies Too much money Too much waste
The French 2030 Olympics Are still being challenged By environmentalists And a cap is being put On the money spent.
With 3 thousand days to go The Salt Lake City Was rebranded as Utah 2034 And its logo Has attracted ATTENTION At least partly As it is Difficult to read
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Milan Cortina Is much sooner than that… And tickets have had to be limited By 15 percent So far Due to transport problems Including An As yet Unfinished cable car From the town centre To the slopes
Also yet to be finished Is the rink for the Ice hockey…. With no plan B….
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There is a lot in the press at the moment About Insurance
Travel insurance Winter insurance Ski insurance No insurance
The summary is Check what is covered Preferably When you have time Before you leave home
off piste… is even a metre from the marked poles. Don’t rely on a mate Dragging you back
Your back may be broken….
snow shoeing seems pretty low risk but may not be covered on a standard policy
A rescue can cost Thousands of euros…. Especially if a helicopter is involved…. They charge by the minute.. From the time they leave their helicopter house To the time it is back in its bed…. NOT just from arriving Where you are laid To the hospital.
Do you need winter insurance for Toboganning ? Dog sledging ? As a passenger on a snowmobile ?
YES to all
A recent survey showed More than thirty percent Believed skiing is covered under standard travel insurance. And twenty percent know that They need extra But don’t, to save the expense.
Please don’t take the risk… You can buy insurance with your ski pass.
IF you are not sure Contact your insurer Get their answer in writing. Check if you need a GHIC card… Check you have one And that it has not expired..
Put all your details on one sheet of paper And keep it in your ski suit….
Name Where you are staying medical history Any drugs you are taking Any allergies Insurance company and policy number GHIC number Contact telephone number for a relative or friend.
Whose law is it ? If you are prepared, you won’t need it…
Getting injured is very stressful. Much easier if you can easily hand over The information You will be asked for
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Talk about a mixed emotion When reading about the housing problems in Chamonix…..
For a long time People living and working in Val Have been worried And aware Of the cost and shortage Of staff accommodation
One ‘POPULAR’ option Was to suggest that all workers Commute from Bourg
NOT ONLY is that a long commute But when the weather is bad The road is closed..
Who can then serve the guests in Expensive hotels Drive the buses Or operate the lifts ?
So didn’t know whether to laugh or cry When I saw that Val d’Isére is being held up As a model to adopt For ways to house seasonal workers…
SACOVAL first formed in the 60’s Now owns more than five hundred properties For both seasonal and year round workers
8 times more than Chamonix has
Proposals in our recent council meeting To insist that developers Include affordable housing Is a good start…. To a very serious problem….
If workers cannot afford to live in Val The atmosphere will change
It will be a less fun place to work And the tourists will notice this
Investing in the workers is Investing in Val’s future…..
If you have an idea for a quick fix Please email me Or the mayor…
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Apologies if the sound is a little off I am out of my studio Recording this On a laptop In a hotel by the lake in Annecy With ducks quacking in the background
Today is Pastry day Which could be appropriate At least for me I will be cooking a festive feast With Benoit Vidal The actual menu Is still a surprise But can’t see Festive Happening Without Pastry
Have a fun and sunny ski I will be back with you tomorrow |