The Ski Club of Great Britain has announced the launch of a new mountain event taking place this April, during the Easter school holidays. The Ski Club Dual Slalom will be open to all ages and abilities and takes place in Tignes, France on Wednesday 7 April 2010.

This brand new event gives skiers and snowboarders the chance to race in teams of four on two slalom courses set up side-by-side. With a free drink for every entrant, top class prizes and optional fancy dress it can’t fail to be an enjoyable day on the slopes.

“The Ski Club is delighted to announce that we will be running this new event in one of Europe’s most popular resorts. We know how people like to get involved in races and we felt a dual slalom would be perfect to get the competitive juices flowing for skiers and snowboarders of all standards. It is not only a race but also a chance to mingle, don your best fancy dress, win prizes and party into the evening” said Emma Bebb from the Ski Club.

The race will take place from 1-3pm on Wednesday 7 April in Val Claret, by the Tichot lift. Entries can be made by filling in an online entry form on the Ski Club website, or in resort with the Ski Club reps at the Alpaka Lodge any evening from 4 April between 6.15pm and 7.15pm. You can also enter on the day. Costs are €20 per team (€5 per person) for Ski Club members and seasonnaires and €30 per team (€7.50 per person) for everyone else. For those people not in a team the Ski Club will be put individuals into teams of four.

After the race there will be an awards ceremony at Le Coffee, Evolution 2’s restaurant situated on the mountain. Prizes can be won for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in both a Trophy and Plate competition, plus awards for the best family, best children and best fancy dress. Following the race there is an after party in the Loop Bar in Tignes Le Lac from 8.30pm where there will be drinks promotions, games and dancing.

While British and Irish skiers deliberated whether to hit the slopes this winter, the Alps have had the best snow for many seasons and prices have been keener than the sharpest ski blades. Here is Directski.com’s round-up of the top six late season ski bargains, in the resorts with the guaranteed late season snow.

Late skiing in Val d’Isere, France
If 300km of slopes, some of the best skiing in the world with the highest lift at 3,450m, doesn’t do it for you as a skier, nothing will. This `bring your own bling’ ski resort is immensely popular, has great skiing, lively nightlife and is the hub for posers worldwide. Its height and good snow record make it a safe bet for late season skiing, Directski.com make it affordable:-

Val d’Isere late ski offer:
Directski.com, 20th March, 7 nights self catering at the 3* Jardins de la Balme, based on 4 sharing, including return flights and transfers:

GATWICK – NOW: £309 WAS: £529, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
MANCHESTER – NOW: £319 WAS: £549, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
BELFAST – NOW: £309 WAS: £449, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
DUBLIN – NOW: EUR379 WAS: EUR559, Visit www.directski.com or LoCall 1890 201 205

Late skiing in Chamonix, France
One of the easiest mainstream French resorts to get to, just over an hour’s drive from Geneva, Chamonix offers world class skiing and is built for experts, but beginners will find plenty of patient instruction in the ski school too. Less glitz, more of the serious stuff here, but full-on nightlife too. The snow will be sound right into April:-

Chamonix late ski offer:
Directski.com, 20th March, 7 nights self-catering at the 2* Résidence Maeva Chamois Blanc – L’Aiguille, based on 4 sharing, including return flights and transfers:-

GATWICK – NOW: £284 WAS: £504, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
MANCHESTER – NOW: £294 WAS: £524, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
BELFAST – NOW: £284 WAS: £424, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
DUBLIN – NOW: EUR332 WAS: EUR512, Visit www.directski.com or LoCall 1890 201 205

Late skiing in Mayrhofen, Austria
This pretty Austrian town in the heart of the vast Zillertal ski area also has one of Europe’s largest snowboarding parks, the Vans Penken Park, and over 150kms of pistes, for sheer skiing and boarding enjoyment. Nightlife is loud and lively when the skiers come back down the mountains at the end of the day. For year-round, yes, 365 days skiing, the free ski bus takes skiers up to the Hintertux Glacier further up the valley.

Mayrhofen late ski offer:
Directski.com, 20th March, 7 nights self catering at the 3* Moigg Apartments, based on 4 sharing, including return flights and transfers:-

GATWICK – NOW: £319 WAS: £619, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
MANCHESTER – NOW: £319 WAS: £599, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
BELFAST – NOW: £419 WAS: £719, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
DUBLIN – NOW: EUR509 WAS:EUR689, Visit www.directski.com or LoCall 1890 201 205

Late skiing in Kaprun, Austria
Kaprun is a pretty, Austrian snow-sure resort around an hour or so from Salzburg airport. Situated at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, its location ensures skiers can get plenty of the white stuff not only at the end of the main season, but year-round too. The resort is full of Austrian charm, less lively than some, but plenty of après ski action to be found.

Kaprun, late ski offer
Directski.com, 20th March, 7 nights self-catering at the 3* Schonpflug Apartments, based on 5 sharing, including return flights and transfers.

GATWICK – NOW: £299 WAS: £529, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
MANCHESTER – NOW: £299 WAS: £509, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
BELFAST – NOW: £299 WAS: £529, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
DUBLIN – NOW: EUR419 WAS:EUR599, Visit www.directski.com or LoCall 1890 201 205

Late skiing in Livigno, Italy (Belfast and Dublin departures only)
Located at 1815m with mountains banked on either side, Livigno has reliable snow, 57 slopes, over 150 kms of pistes, and, strangely, a duty free status. It’s a large and sprawling resort, cheaper prices attract plenty of younger skiers and it’s both great value and a good choice for late season skiing and boarding.

Livigno, late ski offer
DUBLIN
Directski.com 13th March, 7 nights self catering accommodation at the 3* Livigno Ski Apartments, based on 4 sharing including return flights from Dublin and transfers, was 539 euros, now 409 euros, saving 130 euros.

BELFAST
Directski.com 20th March, 7 nights self catering at the 3* Livigno Ski Apartments, based on 4 sharing, including return Belfast flights and transfers, was £499, now £339, saving £160.

Late skiing in Pas de la Casa, Andorra
This lively Andorran resort has the country’s biggest ski area and highest lift-served terrain and now links to the resort of Soldeu too, resulting in 186 kms of pistes, rivalling some of Europe’s big names in skiing. Big investment in snow-making has ensured skiing right into April, the resort isn’t pretty, but its boxy concrete accommodation is so close to the lifts, who cares?

Pas de la Casa, late ski offer
Directski.com, 21st March, 7 nights self catering at the 2* Sandi IV Apartments, based on 4 sharing, including return flights and transfers.
GATWICK – NOW: £279 WAS: £399, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
MANCHESTER – NOW: £249 WAS: £429, Visit www.directski.com or call 0800 358 0448
DUBLIN – NOW: EUR 339 WAS:EUR 539, Visit www.directski.com or LoCall 1890 201 205
BELFAST: (No departures on 21st March) : Directski.com has 7 nights self-catering accommodation in the Sandi IV apartments in Pas de la Casa for £469, £329, departing 14th March.

Ski Club warns skiers and boarders to take out appropriate insurance cover for holidays

Today the Ski Club of Great Britain launches a new ‘Get Covered’ campaign warning of the risks of skiing or snowboarding without the appropriate cover for wintersports.

A recent survey states that 75% of British holidaymakers don’t check the terms and conditions when purchasing travel insurance and 56% fail to buy cover at all*

For ski and snowboard holidays this has serious implications. Not taking out any insurance can result in huge bills for medical expenses, transport from the mountain or repatriation to the UK.**

But what can often catch skiers and snowboarders out is not reading the small print and taking part in, and getting injured in, activities they are not covered for.

“Skiers and snowboarders often get caught out when it comes to insurance. Buying a travel insurance policy is often not enough. The Ski Club urges people to check that they are covered for wintersports and that they read the small print to ensure all activities they will be participating in are covered.” Said Caroline Stuart Taylor, Chief Executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain.

The Ski Club offers the following tips for buying snowsports travel insurance:

• If you think you may be taking part in any extra winter activities such as off-piste skiing or snowboarding, tobogganing, ski touring, glacier skiing, heliskiing or even just hitting the snowpark, make sure your policy covers you for this.
• Check what the provider means by off-piste. Does it cover off piste without a guide?
• If you, or your children, are taking part in fun races with the ski/ snowboard school ensure this is covered in your policy. Many policies do not cover racing, even fun, recreational races.
• If you are going on a ski mountaineering, hiking or trekking trip at high altitude check that your policy covers you. Many policies will limit cover to 3000m or less. If you are trekking above this height you will not be covered.
• Check that you have legal expenses cover – this will cover your legal costs if someone injures you and you need to take legal action.
• Don’t just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy. Cheaper policies, even those specialising in ‘wintersports cover’ may not actually cover the winter activities you’re planning.

The Ski Club of Great Britain offers insurance policies designed by experts especially for snowsports enthusiasts. Policies are available at standard, super and executive level, for single trips and annual multi-trips.

Ski Club of Great Britain policies cover as standard on and off-piste skiing and snowboarding (with or without a guide), snow parks, cross country skiing, glacier skiing, ski touring, recreational racing, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, ice-skating and tobogganing. Executive policies cover all these activities plus heliskiing, cat skiing, bob sleighing and snow-mobiling. Ski Club Executive policies also offer no excess on any claim.

Go to the insurance section on skiclub.co.uk or call 0845 60 194 22 to take out policies. There is a 5% discount on policies taken out online.

A recent survey states that 75% of British holidaymakers don’t check the terms and conditions when purchasing travel insurance and 56% fail to buy cover at all*

For ski and snowboard holidays this has serious implications. Not taking out any insurance can result in huge bills for medical expenses, transport from the mountain or repatriation to the UK.**

But what can often catch skiers and snowboarders out is not reading the small print and taking part in, and getting injured in, activities they are not covered for.

“Skiers and snowboarders often get caught out when it comes to insurance. Buying a travel insurance policy is often not enough. The Ski Club urges people to check that they are covered for wintersports and that they read the small print to ensure all activities they will be participating in are covered.” Said Caroline Stuart Taylor, Chief Executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain.

The Ski Club offers the following tips for buying snowsports travel insurance:

• If you think you may be taking part in any extra winter activities such as off-piste skiing or snowboarding, tobogganing, ski touring, glacier skiing, heliskiing or even just hitting the snowpark, make sure your policy covers you for this.

• Check what the provider means by off-piste. Does it cover off piste without a guide?

• If you, or your children, are taking part in fun races with the ski/ snowboard school ensure this is covered in your policy. Many policies do not cover racing, even fun, recreational races.

• If you are going on a ski mountaineering, hiking or trekking trip at high altitude check that your policy covers you. Many policies will limit cover to 3000m or less. If you are trekking above this height you will not be covered.

• Check that you have legal expenses cover – this will cover your legal costs if someone injures you and you need to take legal action.

• Don’t just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy. Cheaper policies, even those specialising in ‘wintersports cover’ may not actually cover the winter activities you’re planning.

The Ski Club of Great Britain offers insurance policies designed by experts especially for snowsports enthusiasts. Policies are available at standard, super and executive level, for single trips and annual multi-trips.

Ski Club of Great Britain policies cover as standard on and off-piste skiing and snowboarding (with or without a guide), snow parks, cross country skiing, glacier skiing, ski touring, recreational racing, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, ice-skating and tobogganing. Executive policies cover all these activities plus heliskiing, cat skiing, bob sleighing and snow-mobiling. Ski Club Executive policies also offer no excess on any claim.

Go to the insurance section on skiclub.co.uk or call 0845 60 194 22 to take out policies. There is a 5% discount on policies taken out online.