Totti Lingotti

The Afghan Ski Challenge took place for the second time on March 9, 2012 in the Afghan province of Bamiyan. At Afghanistan's second international ski championship, the locals outclassed the far more experienced racers from the West. Since two Swiss journalists persistently organized Afghanistan's first ski race last year, it has been reported in many international media. The response was overwhelming and this year some well-known outdoor companies offered their support to organize the event in an appropriate setting.

As the little brother of the well-known freeride ski area on the Titlis, the Brunnibahn in Engelberg also offers some interesting downhill options and definitely less crowds. When the slopes in the shadowy area around the Trübsee have long since been groomed, you can still find the odd patch of untracked powder snow on the "sunny side of Engelberg". Among other things, the variants with the ascent towards Rigidalstock and the west-facing descent through Ober Stoffelberg are popular. If you like it a little more alpine and are not afraid of a via ferrata passage with skis on your backpack, then you should take the 700 meters of ascent to this summit in your stride, because the descent has it all.

Sam Smoothy (NZL) wins a stop of the FWT for the first time and then immediately in the freeride mecca of Chamonix (FRA). With his fluid riding style, he clearly set himself apart from Reiner Barkered (SWE) and Oakley White-Allen. The latter now leads the overall standings. In the women's event (skiing), Jaclyn Paaso (USA) could not be beaten by Angel Collinson (USA) and Janina Kuzma (NZL). The snowboard competition was won by French local Douds Charlet (FRA), who finished on the podium ahead of Ralph Backstrom (USA) and his compatriot Aurelien Routens (FRA). The women's podium (snowboard) was also dominated by North Americans: Maria Debari (USA) won ahead of Margot Rozies (FRA) and Shannan Yates (USA).

Sam Smoothy (NZL) wins a stop of the FWT for the first time and then immediately in the freeride mecca of Chamonix (FRA). With his fluid riding style, he clearly set himself apart from Reiner Barkered (SWE) and Oakley White-Allen. The latter now leads the overall standings. In the women's event (skiing), Jaclyn Paaso (USA) could not be beaten by Angel Collinson (USA) and Janina Kuzma (NZL). The snowboard competition was won by French local Douds Charlet (FRA), who finished on the podium ahead of Ralph Backstrom (USA) and his compatriot Aurelien Routens (FRA). The women's podium (snowboard) was also dominated by North Americans: Maria Debari (USA) won ahead of Margot Rozies (FRA) and Shannan Yates (USA).

From January 13 to 15, 2012, the time had finally come: the legendary BigLePowSki-Tour 2011/2012 opened in Engelberg (Switzerland) in good off-piste conditions. Perfect mountain weather and the odd untracked slope made for a great atmosphere. With 35 participants each, the workshops were fully booked on both days and the test equipment from Black Diamond, Arcteryx, Fritschi and Pieps found plenty of takers.

The next morning it was the same picture. Again it had snowed 30 cm of the finest Champaign powder overnight and we didn't know whether we were in a freerider's dream world. For us, this meant pure anticipation of another 12 to 14 runs through untracked terrain. For Karl and his guides, however, this meant getting up two hours earlier, digging snow profiles, checking weather data, assessing the avalanche situation and deciding which runs were justifiable for the least risky freeriding possible. A responsible and tough job, but one that is rewarded on the first descent when the lead guide MUST be the first to ski down an untracked slope.

For the second year, Diamir and other partners are offering the Freeride Education Camp. This coming weekend (January 7 & 8, 2012), everything you need to know about freeride mountaineering will once again be taught in a rustic atmosphere at the Cabane Mt. Fort and in the excellent off-piste terrain of Verbier. After the first camp (Galtür) had to be canceled due to a lack of snow, Verbier now offers great freeride conditions. And the next dump is coming up just in time for the weekend.

Take part in the big Mountain Mastery competition organized by the brands Mammut, Gore-Tex® and PowderGuide. A three-day freeride trip of superlatives to the area of your choice awaits the two winning teams! In addition, you will be equipped with outstanding Gore-Tex® freeride equipment from Mammut, including Gore-Tex® clothing and airbag backpacks. The prize includes accommodation, meals and lift passes. A freeride mountain guide from the Mammut Alpine School will help you find the best descents and minimize the risk of avalanches. The second and third-placed teams will also receive valuable prizes! Prizes with a total value of 15,000 euros await the winners! Attention: the number of participants is limited, so register quickly.

Most outdoor enthusiasts know the Dolomites as a climbing El Dorado. For a long time, only a few were aware that the same applies to the freeride potential. Nowadays, the majority of freeriders know the powder hotspots of the Dolomites. However, due to the vastness of the areas, untouched slopes can still be found several days after the last snowfall. When it became apparent that a southerly storm would dump an acceptable amount of fresh snow in the Dolomites, the decision was quickly made - we set off for northern Italy – in search of deep snow and steep gullies.

When it comes to merino wool, Icebreaker comes to mind. The New Zealand company is the market leader in the sale of merino wool products for good reason. In order to remain so, they develop innovative, new types of clothing such as the "Realfleece" or the "GT-Base-Layer"series. You can find out what this is all about and what else distinguishes the company here in the partner news. You can also win the exclusive products in the competition and test them yourself.

The third edition of the Bregenzerwald ski touring guide has now been published by Panico-Alpinverlag. The two authors Anton and Rainer Kempf know how to describe the numerous tours from Lech/Zürs to the Vorderwald in an accurate and straightforward manner. A special treat are the four crossings, which are described in an extra chapter.

The advertising slogan proclaimed by the Lötschberg Tourism Association about the Lauchernalp/Lötschental ski resort "An insider tip with guaranteed snow for all those who only want one thing from winter: glitter-soft, sunlit, virgin slopes!" is no longer entirely true. Unfortunately, it is no longer an insider tip...