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09/09/2011
Issue 59

Signs that some of the potholes were getting too big. Photo courtesy of Ashley Hutchison

As I recently drove down to the Funky Fox I noticed my car went around the corners with little help from the driver. Now this wasn’t some special sat nav system I was trailing it was the almost tram line liked grooves in the road caused by a year of abuse from a variety of heavy good vehicles.

For the past decade every time I drove up to resort I always wondered why a ski resort which purports to being one of the best in the world has roads leading to it that are nearer 3rd world.

To use the old analogy of "painting the forth bridge" No matter how much maintenance and resurfacing, and to give Courchevel their due they do alot of work, within 6 months it’s back to square 1.

The principle comes down to something known as the something something law (sorry I couldn’t find the name of the formulae). Suffice to say it basically states if a vehicle is twice as heavy the vehicle will do 4x the damage to the road. With weight and damage rising exponentially.

Using this principal any ski resort road is basically stuffed. In the winter apart from the occasional featherweight fiat panda (which are awesome) it’s covered in big arse 4x4s, cars with chains and studded tyres, resort buses and tourist coaches. Add the constant freeze/thaw effect and every crack soon becomes a ravine. In the summer it gets worse, every other car is either a fully loaded dumper truck or cement mixer. At the start and end of the summer all the cranes, along with their massive counter balances, are moved. Throw gravity into the equation and some of the roads are starting to subside down the valley.

The editor

London Ski Show

The Ski & Snowboard Show returns in its new home, Earls Court from 19 - 23 October 2011

Welcome to the greatest wintersports show in the world. We manage to squeeze over 160 ski resorts, 22 different retailers, a 50ft hip kicker, fashion show & brand arena, live music, 4 bars, 230 shops and stands plus loads more attractions into Earls Court for just five days.

The show is essential for any snowsports fans from professionals to beginners, prepare to be amazed, be entertained, be wowed and get the best value for money at the Ski & Snowboard Show 19-23 October 2011.