Mont Blanc or Everest Ski Challenge in La Tania 20/21 March for Ski 4 Cancer Charity

Ski Mont Blanc or Everest with Ski 4 Cancer, Alpine Elements & iGOSKI

Ski holidays specialist Alpine Elements and its sister company iGOSKI, will be staging a Ski 4 Cancer ski challenge in the French ski resort of La Tania on both Wednesday the 20th and Thursday the 21st of March 2013.

Individuals or teams will be challenged to ski either the vertical height of Mont Blanc (4807 metres) or Everest (8848 metres) in just one day. The challenge will focus on the green, blue or red pistes which run adjacent to La Tania’s main gondola, dropping from a height of 1900 metres to 1368 metres.

With a vertical drop of 532 metres, skiers and boarders will need to complete 9 runs to descend the height of Mont Blanc and 17 runs to descend the equivalent height of Everest. Intermediates should be able to complete the Mont Blanc Challenge in approximately 3 hours whereas Everest Challengers should allow 6 hours.

The challenges will start at 9am on both the 20th and the 21st of March. To participate, skiers and boarders will be asked to make a minimum donation of 10 Euros to Ski 4 Cancer. Ski 4 Cancer is encouraging people to register before the event at http://www.ski4cancer.org/ski-challenge

Alternatively, people can register on the morning of the challenge days at the reception of the Hotel Montana – located at the bottom of the main gondola lift. Alpine Elements will also be running a ‘happy hour’ promotion on both days of the challenge at the Hotel Montana’s terrace bar. The proceeds of the bar sales will be donated to Ski 4 Cancer.

Ski 4 Cancer was set up in 2012 by a group of keen skiers and snowboarders who have all lost a close relative or friend to cancer. By providing a range of alpine respite holidays for families living with cancer, Ski 4 Cancer gives families something to look forward to at the end of treatment schedules or after a loved one has died. Ski 4 Cancer also makes grants to palliative care centres and funds research into the positive effects of exercise and how it can both prevent cancer and assist in people’s recovery post diagnosis.

James Hardiman, Managing Director of ski holidays specialist Alpine Elements and the ski weekends company iGOSKI explained “My mother had cancer about 25 years ago and ever since I have been a passionate supporter of cancer related causes. Ski 4 Cancer do some excellent work and I’m delighted that Alpine Elements and iGOSKI are able to sponsor this event.”

James concluded “Participants will collect a stamp after completing each run and certificates will be given out to people who complete one of the challenges. Everyone is welcome to take part and we hope skiers from all over the Three Valleys will join us. If you’re skiing in neighbouring resorts like Meribel and Courchevel, it would be great to see you. The event is open to anyone – all you need is a valid Three Valleys ski pass.”

And if you want to practice what skiing Everest like vertical is (or nearly twice it) – Try the 3 Valleys Escapade (in a day if you’re mad enough) – The Escapade in a Day

The end of season 3 Valleys Charity Day in aid of cancer charities in the UK and France organised by La Tania locals takes place once again in Méribel Village on Wednesday 10 April 2013.