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Letters from the Alps

Building on success

"Send us your poor, your powder-crazed, your drugged and delinquent ..." Well, I don't suppose anyone ever said that so explicitly. But there was a time when indigent individuals of indifferent morals were welcomed to the Alps. by Doug Sagar from Fall 2007 issue.


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No fly zone for heli-skiers?
Recent headline news in my local newspaper read: Swiss government is considering banning helicopter skiing across the nation. by Doug Sager .. from Winter 2007 issue
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Swiss Village by Intrawest
This is the story of a tiny, utterly unspoiled Swiss ski area nestled in a north-facing forest, with tree skiing and powder snow to rival in quality—albeit on a vastly reduced scale of terrain—the very best Canadian heli-ski operators have to offer. I’ve enjoyed the best skiing of my life in this presently pocket-sized family area, and would be content within its scope if I were never again to see the anodyne snowfi elds of Vail or ski the gut-wrenching couloirs of Chamonix.
from Spring 2006 issue 26
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Let the Games Begin
Skiers argue long and loudly about which resorts have the best snow. But the most vociferous and inconclusive discussions I've been inveigled into centre on the more elusive topic of which resorts have the best nightlife.
from Winter 2006 issue
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Advice for the Europe-bound
After last year’s less than edifying winter in Canada and the inspiring account of Ken Finkleman and Don Gillmor’s Swiss sojourn two issues ago, no less a personage than Ski Canada’s editor himself has suggested I offer some travel advice, garnered over 22 years of living full-time in the Alps, for those of you contemplating the ski trip of a lifetime. From December 2005 issue
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How sweet it is
When Canadians come to the Alps, they frequently bring a fresh perspective and an enthusiasm for innovation that astonishes the locals and changes the way we ski over here.

from November 2005 issue
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Rekindling an Old Love
Early autumn in the Alps a skier’s pulse quickens with anticipation spiked by anxiety. Will this be a champagne season or another beer bust? From Fall 2005 issue
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Letter from the Alps
"No pain, no gain," I insist, somewhat self-righteously I know but desperate to claw back some ground in an argument I'm losing.
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