Before the late 1990s/early 2000s, skiing was very much a minority sport in Ireland, but then the boom times came and changed our expectations of life forever.

Winter is settling in, but that doesn’t mean you have to... just yet, at least.

Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins clinched his second successive Criterium du Dauphine title today.

SITUATED mid-way between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Morzine is the gateway to a marvellous winter playground of 650km of ski-slopes.

Morzine is a cracking little hideaway nestled at the foot of the French Alps and ideal for both the novice and expert skier. Book a chalet, says Brian Canty, and enjoy the slide.

THE first Alpine stage of the 2010 Tour de France witnessed the fall of a legend as Lance Armstrong declared: “My Tour’s finished”.

THOSE who are into cruises will be thrilled by a Royal Caribbean International’s offering of a 14-night fly/cruise on Brilliance of the Seas sailing through the exotic Middle-East to the tropical waters of the Mediterranean.

THE totally Irish-owned travel company Topflight are ! ski specialists but they have moved carefully into the summer overseas holiday market during the last 20 years as well.

IRELAND’S ski chalet specialist, Highlife Ski & Snowboard, has just launched its winter brochure which heavily features the French Alps, giving guests a choice of chalets in Morzine, Méribel or the world-famous Val d’Isere.

FLOYD LANDIS will definitely not defend his Tour de France crown this year after striking a bargain with the French anti-doping agency.

FLOYD LANDIS has vowed to clear his name after the disgraced American was sacked by his Phonak team following confirmation he had tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone during this year’s Tour de France.

Tour de France winner Floyd Landis sacked by Phonak team after B sample confirmed positive drugs test.

Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has failed a test for testosterone, a Phonak team spokesperson has confirmed.

THE American dominance of the Tour de France looks set to continue as Floyd Landis remained in pole position to win this year’s title going into the final weekend of action.

The American dominance of the Tour de France looks set to continue as Floyd Landis remained in pole position to win this year’s title going into the final weekend of action.

FLOYD LANDIS staged a remarkable recovery to put himself back in Tour de France contention with a dramatic solo win in Morzine.

Floyd Landis staged a remarkable recovery to put himself back in Tour de France contention with a dramatic solo win in Morzine.

Richard Hughes has been banned for two days after he was found guilty of careless riding aboard Morzine at Warwick.

Spain’s Inigo Landaluze survived a gruelling ascent on yesterday’s last stage to claim the Dauphine Libere crown.

Lance Armstrong fought off a brave attack from Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan to retain the leader‘s yellow jersey in what remains one of the closest races ever in the 100-year history of the Tour de France.