Nine of the most extreme skiing trips on the planet
These nine trips for the Southern and Northern winters promise enough powdery thrills and pampering frills to suit every type of skier.
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Robb Report Australia skips the chairlift lines and goes off-piste to uncover the world’s best experiences on two skis. From a high-flying adventure in Iceland’s Troll Peninsula to new five-star stays in the ever-fashionable French Alps, these nine trips for the Southern and Northern winters promise enough powdery thrills and pampering frills to suit every type of skier.
Northern exposure
Powder skiing in the land of fire and ice
Jökull Bergmann could be considered the grandfather of Icelandic heli-skiing. The founder of local outfitter Arctic Heli Skiing has been bringing hard-core snow chasers to the country’s northerly Troll Peninsula for nearly a decade. Only recently, however, has he found a top-tier lodge to host his guests after the last run of the day is done. Bergmann has partnered with the adventure company EpicQuest to open Karlsá, a former sea captain’s house turned private heli-ski estate set among some of the peninsula’s best skiing terrain. New from the 2017 season, EpicQuest’s four-day Ultimate Heli-Skiing Program (epicquest.com; priced from about US$10,500 per person) for as many as eight guests includes exclusive use of Karlsá, a chef, a driver, internationally certified heli-ski guides and unlimited use of a piloted Eurocopter Astar B3. EpicQuest also operates four- and six-day programs from a semi-private lodge on Bergmann’s family farm. – JENNIFER ASHTON RYAN
Alpine all-star
An upscale home base in the newly connected Austrian Alps
Austria’s St. Anton am Arlberg (stantonamarlberg.com) is Europe’s mecca of Alpine skiing, with more than 300 kilometres of groomed trails and roughly 200 kilometres of advanced off-piste terrain. It’s also home to charming Tyrolean villages and some of the most snow-sure conditions in all of the Alps. This Northern winter the Arlberg’s skiing got even better with the completion of three new gondola systems that connected all eight of the region’s resorts for the first time. The upgrade makes the Arlberg Austria’s largest interconnected ski area. For a luxurious home base close to the action, book the new ski-in ski-out Chalet Tschöder (through Bramble Ski, brambleski.com), which sleeps as many as 14 in seven bedrooms and blends traditional Alpine architecture with contemporary Austrian design. The chalet (priced at about $80,000 a week) is located just minutes from the Nasserein ski lifts on the edge of the St. Anton resort’s main peaks. Après-ski is equally impressive at Tschöder, which features a gym, a hot tub and sauna, a private spa, a cinema and a full staff. – WILL HIDE
If the ski fits
Wagner Custom Skis takes Telluride trips to new heights
Pete Wagner is one of the most connected people in Telluride. The founder of Wagner Custom Skis (wagnerskis.com), a bespoke ski and snowboard manufacturer, has based his innovative company in the Colorado town for more than a decade. Now he is sharing his network of local friends and experts to offer a new Wagner VIP Program to his devoted customers. Wagner’s team works with Telluride Rentals, a home-rental agency and concierge, to curate itineraries that can entail everything from Telluride Mountain lift tickets to a back country heli-skiing adventure among 4000-metre peaks. The program offers exclusive off-slope experiences as well, providing first-class or private air travel, ski-in ski-out accommodations, and perks such as après-ski massages, reservations at top Telluride restaurants and day trips via snowmobile or helicopter to the nearby Dunton Hot Springs resort. Of course, every itinerary comes with a pair of made-to-order skis created at Wagner’s new 465-square-metre Telluride factory and customised based on each skier’s build, skill level, riding style and terrain preferences. “No two pairs of our skis are exactly alike,” Wagner says. “It’s the same with the VIP Program. Everything is à la carte.” – BAILEY S. BARNARD
Keeping it Coola
Big-mountain runs in British Columbia
If you have a thing for ski movies, you know Bella Coola Heli Sports (bellacoolaheliskiing.com). The British Columbia outfitter’s exclusive Coast Mountain terrain has been featured in films like Seven Years in Tibet and K2 and is a perennial star in skiing’s history: the fat ski was perfected on its precipitous peaks, and descents made on its slopes have set many a benchmark for big-mountain free skiing. Striving for greater heights is the outfitter’s newest home base, Foster’s Heli Ranch, a small-group property set among the Pantheon Range and some of the tallest peaks in the province. The rustic-luxe lodge, which is available on an exclusive-use basis (seven-night packages start at $68,500), accommodates just five skiers at a time. The lucky few guests enjoy a rare opportunity to ski unexplored terrain. With a private pilot and potential first descents on every horizon, naming runs becomes part of the plot, meaning you’ll not only experience ski history – you’ll help write it. – LESLIE ANTHONY
Eastern flurry
Uncovering Japan’s secret snow country
Niseko should have had its moment long ago. Set on Japan’s northernmost isle of Hokkaido, the ski resort was dubbed “the St. Moritz of the Orient” in the ’60s for its long season, champagne powder and picturesque mountains. Yet somehow, Niseko United (niseko.ne.jp) – which comprises four villages and 885 hectares of terrain – remained largely under the radar, luring mainly in-the-know Australian snowboarders and Asian skiers. Now its time has finally come, thanks to a new bullet train linking Hokkaido to Tokyo in just four hours. While the fast-paced connection is sure to spawn an influx of international snow seekers, infrastructure improvements like new high-speed gondolas will keep lift lines wait-free. The ski-in ski-out Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse (kasara.com) is also catering to the crowds by adding 32 luxury accommodations adorned with tatami-mat dining rooms, ofuro soaking tubs and sliding shoji screens. Sure to draw skiers in future seasons is a new Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, which is scheduled to open in 2020. – ADAM H. GRAHAM
Private powder
A total resort takeover in Southern Utah
There’s no rush to beat the crowds at Eagle Point, a Southern Utah mountain resort whose As You Wish program (eaglepointresort.com) allows private groups unrestricted and exclusive access to its more than 240 skiable hectares. The total resort takeover (priced from $13,000 a day; available Tuesdays through Thursdays only) also includes exclusive use of Eagle Point’s accommodations, dining venues and amenities. Buyouts can range from a quiet getaway for a few families to a corporate retreat for as many as 300 skiers. – LARRY OLMSTED
First tracks
Early morning runs in Beaver Creek
With its heated footpaths and slope-side cookies, Beaver Creek (beavercreek.com) is one of the United States’ most indulgent ski resorts. But chocolate-chip cookie in hand or not, long lift lines can shatter the illusion of luxury. Ensuring the royal treatment is the Colorado resort’s new White Glove Winter Vacation package. The four-night experience (priced from $65,000 for four skiers) begins with a first-class flight into Eagle Vail airport, followed by a scenic helicopter ride to the resort. Guests stay at Beaver Creek’s only ski-in ski-out mountaintop home, Trappers Cabin, which features a billiard room, a hot tub and butler service. Four Epic Passes are also included, as well as two full days of private ski instruction, Helly Hansen ski attire and high-performance equipment rentals. Better than any cookie, of course, is the package’s White Glove First Tracks pass, which promises early lift access and plenty of first runs. – L.O.
Haute and cold
Fresh new luxuries in the French Alps
This year, the elite retreat of Courchevel marked 70 years of downhill distinction. To honour the occasion, the world’s largest ski resort, Les 3 Vallées (les3vallees.com) – which comprises eight linked resorts (including Courchevel), as well as 600 kilometres of runs and 25 summits – was freshened up. The celebrations began with the opening of the new Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges (hotelsbarriere.com), a 42-room retreat with white-marble bathrooms and a 1000-square-metre spa offering bespoke Biologique Recherche treatments. Aman’s ski-in ski-out Le Mélézin (aman.com), located on Courchevel’s Bellecôte piste, also unveiled a new look following an extensive renovation that added a bar and cigar lounge and upgraded the 31 rooms and suites. On the dining front, chefs Maxime and René Meilleur of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville’s legendary La Bouitte recently received their third Michelin star, while l’Épicurien and Méribel favourite l’Ekrin each earned their first. On the slopes, Les 3 Vallées’ visitors can these days avail themselves of the region’s new 3D app, which features high-resolution trail maps, real-time snow-depth information and live webcam feeds. – A.H.G.
White on white
The ultimate Antarctic expedition
White Desert has been bringing intrepid travellers to the world’s loneliest landmass for a decade. The London-based outfitter offers the only luxury accommodations – fibreglass igloos adorned with plush faux furs and custom furnishings – in all of Antarctica. This season, the company celebrates its 10th among the Great White Desert’s sprawling glaciers and snowy expanses with a renovated camp that includes a new lounge with a library and bar, a new dining room and six state-of-the-art sleeping pods with en suite bathrooms and bespoke furniture. Guests can take advantage of summer’s 24 hours of sunlight with long days of kite skiing – hitting speeds of up to 35km/h and covering hundreds of kilometres of snow-covered flatlands – as well as ice climbing and abseiling. White Desert’s Emperors and South Pole experience this November (white-desert.com; priced from about $90,000 a person) also includes a visit to the continent’s colony of 6000 emperor penguins and a flight to the South Pole. For the ultimate polar adventure keepsake, travellers can also purchase White Desert’s limited-edition Bremont watch (priced from about $9300), featuring a map of Antarctica, a 90-degree dial, a South Pole destination timer and an inscription bearing the date of their expedition. – JACKIE CARADONIO
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Best fo Europe: Six Senses, Switzerland
Mend in the mountains at Crans-Montana.
Wellness pioneer Six Senses made a name for itself with tranquil, mostly tropical destinations. Now, its first alpine hotel recreates that signature mix of sustainable luxury and innovative spa therapeutics in a world-class ski setting.
The ski-in, ski-out location above the gondola of one of Switzerland’s largest winter sports resorts allows guests to schuss from the top of the Plaine Morte glacier to the hotel’s piste-side lounge, where they can swap ski gear for slippers, then head straight to the spa’s bio-hack recovery area to recharge with compression boots, binaural beats and an herb-spiked mocktail. In summer, the region is a golf and hiking hub.
The vibe offers a contemporary take on chalet style. The 78 rooms and suites are decorated in local larch and oak, and all have terraces or balconies with alpine views over the likes of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. With four different saunas, a sensory flotation pod, two pools
and a whimsical relaxation area complete with 15,000 hanging “icicles” and views of a birch forest, the spa at Six Senses Crans-Montana makes après ski an afterthought.
You can even sidestep the cheese-heavy cuisine of this region in favour of hot pots and sushi at the property’s Japanese restaurant, Byakko. Doubles from around $1,205; Sixsenses.com
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Best of Europe: Grand Hotel Des Étrangers
Fall for a Baroque beauty in Syracuse, Italy.
Sicily has seen a White Lotus–fuelled surge in bookings for this summer—a pop-culture fillip to fill up its grandes dames hotels. Skip the gawping crowds at the headline-grabbers, though, and opt instead for an insider-ish alternative: the Grand Hotel des Étrangers, which reopened last summer after a gut renovation.
It sits on the seafront on the tiny island of Ortigia in Syracuse, all cobbled streets and grand buildings, like a Baroque time capsule on Sicily’s southeastern coast.
Survey the entire streetscape here from the all-day rooftop bar-restaurant, Clou, where the fusion menu is a shorthand of Sicily’s pan-Mediterranean history; try the spaghetti with bottarga and wild fennel or the sea bass crusted in anchovies. Idle on the terrace alfresco with a snifter of avola, the rum made nearby.
As for the rooms, they’ve been renovated with Art Deco–inflected interiors—think plenty of parquet and marble—but the main asset is their aspect: the best of them have private balconies and a palm tree-fringed view out over the Ionian Sea. Doubles from around $665; desetranger.com
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Watch of the Week: TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith
The legendary sports watch returns, but with an unexpected twist.
Over the last few years, watch pundits have predicted the return of the eccentric TAG Heuer Formula 1, in some shape or form. It was all but confirmed when TAG Heuer’s heritage director, Nicholas Biebuyck, teased a slew of vintage models on his Instagram account in the aftermath of last year’s Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva. And when speaking with Frédéric Arnault at last year’s trade fair, the former CEO asked me directly if the brand were to relaunch its legacy Formula 1 collection, loved by collectors globally, how should they go about it?
My answer to the baited entreaty definitely didn’t mention a collaboration with Ronnie Fieg of Kith, one of the world’s biggest streetwear fashion labels. Still, here we are: the TAG Heuer Formula 1 is officially back and as colourful as ever.
As the watch industry enters its hype era—in recent years, we’ve seen MoonSwatches, Scuba Fifty Fathoms, and John Mayer G-Shocks—the new Formula 1 x Kith collaboration might be the coolest yet.
Here’s the lowdown: overnight, TAG Heuer, together with Kith, took to socials to unveil a special, limited-edition collection of Formula 1 timepieces, inspired by the original collection from the 1980s. There are 10 new watches, all limited, with some designed on a stainless steel bracelet and some on an upgraded rubber strap; both options nod to the originals.
Seven are exclusive to Kith and its global stores (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Hawaii, Tokyo, Toronto, and Paris, to be specific), and are made in an abundance of colours. Two are exclusive to TAG Heuer; and one is “shared” between TAG Heuer and Kith—this is a highlight of the collection, in our opinion. A faithful play on the original composite quartz watch from 1986, this model, limited to just 1,350 pieces globally, features the classic black bezel with red accents, a stainless steel bracelet, and that creamy eggshell dial, in all of its vintage-inspired glory. There’s no doubt that this particular model will present as pure nostalgia for those old enough to remember when the original TAG Heuer Formula 1 made its debut.
Of course, throughout the collection, Fieg’s design cues are punctuated: the “TAG” is replaced with “Kith,” forming a contentious new brand name for this specific release, as well as Kith’s slogan, “Just Us.”
Collectors and purists alike will appreciate the dedication to the original Formula 1 collection: features like the 35mm Arnite cases—sourced from the original 80s-era supplier—the form hour hand, a triangle with a dot inside at 12 o’clock, indices that alternate every quarter between shields and dots, and a contrasting minuterie, are all welcomed design specs that make this collaboration so great.
Every TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith timepiece will be presented in an eye-catching box that complements the fun and colour theme of Formula 1 but drives home the premium status of this collaboration. On that note, at $2,200 a piece, this isn’t exactly an approachable quartz watch but reflects the exclusive nature of Fieg’s Kith brand and the pieces he designs (largely limited-edition).
So, what do we think? It’s important not to understate the significance of the arrival of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 in 1986, in what would prove integral in setting up the brand for success throughout the 90’s—it was the very first watch collection to have “TAG Heuer” branding, after all—but also in helping to establish a new generation of watch consumer. Like Fieg, many millennial enthusiasts will recall their sentimental ties with the Formula 1, often their first timepiece in their horological journey.
This is as faithful of a reissue as we’ll get from TAG Heuer right now, and budding watch fans should be pleased with the result. To TAG Heuer’s credit, a great deal of research has gone into perfecting and replicating this iconic collection’s proportions, materials, and aesthetic for the modern-day consumer. Sure, it would have been nice to see a full lume dial, a distinguishing feature on some of the original pieces—why this wasn’t done is lost on me—and perhaps a more approachable price point, but there’s no doubt these will become an instant hit in the days to come.
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The TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith collection will be available on Friday, May 3rd, exclusively in-store at select TAG Heuer and Kith locations in Miami, and available starting Monday, May 6th, at select TAG Heuer boutiques, all Kith shops, and online at Kith.com. To see the full collection, visit tagheuer.com
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8 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Aston Martin
The British sports car company is most famous as the vehicle of choice for James Bond, but Aston Martin has an interesting history beyond 007.
Aston Martin will forever be associated with James Bond, ever since everyone’s favourite spy took delivery of his signature silver DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger. But there’s a lot more to the history of this famed British sports car brand beyond its association with the fictional British Secret Service agent.
Let’s dive into the long and colourful history of Aston Martin.
The origin of the Aston Martin name
The company that would become Aston Martin started out as a car dealership. In 1912, Englishmen Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin partnered to sell cars, but soon after they decided to build their own models. Their first prototype debuted in 1915, named in honour of Martin, a racing driver, and his favourite racing venue, Aston Hills. Thus, the name Aston Martin was born.
A speed-demon co-founder banned from driving
Aston Martin co-founder Lionel Martin wasn’t just a keen racing driver—he was an all-out speed demon. As a student, Martin won numerous gruelling bicycle racing records, including riding nearly the full width of England in one 22-hour stretch. He competed in motorcycle and sidecar races and automotive hillclimb competitions. It seems he also brought that need for speed to the public roadways: In 1909, having neglected to pay a previous speeding fine, Martin was caught driving 41.5 km/ph in London and was banned from driving for two years—during which he set yet another cross-country bicycle record.
A tractor company takes over
The years after World War I were tumultuous for Aston Martin, with financial difficulties and numerous takeovers. In 1947, Aston Martin went up for sale and was purchased by David Brown Limited, a company that specialised in farm tractors and industrial gears. Sir David Brown, grandson of the company’s founder, was a lifelong car enthusiast and racer, having built his own competition cars while working as an engineer at the family company. The first car built by Aston Martin after this takeover was called the DB1, named after the tractor company (and the man) that had saved the carmaker.
An indirect connection to Bentley
Around the same time that Sir David Brown took over Aston Martin, he purchased another struggling British carmaker, Lagonda. The company was developing a revolutionary twin-cam six-cylinder engine called the LB6, and Sir David wanted the engine for his new line of Aston Martin sports cars. The Lagonda engine had been designed by none other than W.O. Bentley—the man who co-founded Bentley Motors, who had long since been pushed out of the company bearing his name.
The history of the DB Series
Aston Martin built seven vehicles named in honour of owner Sir David Brown: The DB1, DB2, DB3, DB4, DB5, DB6, and the combo-breaker DBS all bore Sir David’s initials. In 1972, Sir David sold the car company, and the new owners ended the DB series of vehicles, but the name was revived in 1993 with the DB7 in honour of Sir David—who himself was given an honorary position at the company that same year.
Bond, James Bond
Of course, the most famous Aston Martin of them all is the DB5. Just over 1,000 examples were built between 1963 and 1965, but millions worldwide know this as the James Bond car. In the books, author Ian Fleming had specified an earlier Aston Martin DB Mark III as Bond’s car. Still, the DB5 was introduced in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, equipped with gadgets including machine guns, smoke screens, oil slicks, an ejector seat, and rotating license plates. Bond has driven several Aston Martin models over the years, including a V8 Vantage, a V12 Vanquish, and two DBS models, but the original DB5 will always be considered the quintessential Bond car.
The angular years
Today, the Aston Martin badge is most closely associated with swooping, evocatively curvy car designs, but in the 1970s the company was obsessed with angular, wedge-shaped designs. The trend began in 1976 with the Aston Martin Lagonda, a shockingly unconventional four-door luxury sedan with “folded-paper” body styling and the world’s first all-digital instrument panel. The Lagonda’s styling was further evolved in 1979 with the Bulldog, a radical concept car with gullwing doors and a sharply pointed nose. The Bulldog was meant to become the fastest road car on earth, but the project was abandoned before production could begin.
For Bond’s eyes only
While most of James Bond’s Aston Martins have been commercially available to anyone who could afford one, the DB10 seen in the 2015 film Spectre was exclusive to 007. As Aston Martin executive Marek Reichman explained to Variety, director Sam Mendes, producer Barbara Broccoli, and Bond star Daniel Craig were touring Aston Martin’s design studios when they saw a concept sketch on the wall. The Bond team insisted that this should be 007’s next car, and Aston Martin spent the next six months furiously working to turn the drawing into a real-world car. The DB10 was unveiled during the launch of the film Spectre, and eight of the 10 examples built were featured in the movie, with the remaining two used for promotional appearances.
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What Venice’s New Tourist Tax Means for Your Next Trip
The Italian city will now charge visitors an entry fee during peak season.
Visiting the Floating City just got a bit more expensive.
Venice is officially the first metropolis in the world to start implementing a day-trip fee in an effort to help the Italian hot spot combat overtourism during peak season, The Associated Press reported. The new program, which went into effect, requires travellers to cough up roughly €5 (about $AUD8.50) per person before they can explore the city’s canals and historic sites. Back in January, Venice also announced that starting in June, it would cap the size of tourist groups to 25 people and prohibit loudspeakers in the city centre and the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’ Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official, told AP News. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”
During this trial phase, the fee only applies to the 29 days deemed the busiest—between April 25 and July 14—and tickets will remain valid from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Visitors under 14 years of age will be allowed in free of charge in addition to guests with hotel reservations. However, the latter must apply online beforehand to request an exemption. Day-trippers can also pre-pay for tickets online via the city’s official tourism site or snap them up in person at the Santa Lucia train station.
“With courage and great humility, we are introducing this system because we want to give a future to Venice and leave this heritage of humanity to future generations,” Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) regarding the city’s much-talked-about entry fee.
Despite the mayor’s backing, it’s apparent that residents weren’t totally pleased with the program. The regulation led to protests and riots outside of the train station, The Independent reported. “We are against this measure because it will do nothing to stop overtourism,” resident Cristina Romieri told the outlet. “Moreover, it is such a complex regulation with so many exceptions that it will also be difficult to enforce it.”
While Venice is the first city to carry out the new day-tripper fee, several other European locales have introduced or raised tourist taxes to fend off large crowds and boost the local economy. Most recently, Barcelona increased its city-wide tourist tax. Similarly, you’ll have to pay an extra “climate crisis resilience” tax if you plan on visiting Greece that will fund the country’s disaster recovery projects.
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