| AUSTRIA – Hintertux: early season skiing |
|
|
LEVELS: 2 – 5
| • |
One of the highest ski areas in Europe, Hintertux offers year-round skiing on the glacier. Winter snow builds up from late September onwards and by November the quality is usually superb; November 2007 saw pistes complete
to the valley floor! |
| • |
From the easiest of 'blues', to challenging 'blacks', Hintertux offers the complete range of piste skiing and opportunities for off-piste skiing are often also available during our November courses. |
| • |
This early season course is ideal for those wishing to focus on skiing skills, to enhance their skiing for the main part of the season – or simply because they couldn’t wait! |
| • |
The hotels offer a high level of comfort and good food; as well as unique Austrian après ski to enjoy, should you so choose! |
|
|
Hintertux glacier in October! November is only better! Photo: John Eames
|
| |
|
|
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Arrange own flight to Munich. We provide a package (return airport transfers, half-board 7 nights twin share, 5 x ½ days instruction) for: £825.
Ski pass: €199 for 6 days (approx £180) |
|
DATES
13/11/10 – 20/11/10
20/11/10 – 27/11/10
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING:  |
|
|
|
| FRANCE – Tignes: December 'cheap week', Christmas and New Year |
LEVELS: 1 – 5
| • |
Tignes, at 2100 m, is one of the highest resorts in Europe with fresh winter snow on the glacier from October and the whole area open by mid-December. Our pre-Christmas skiing courses in 2007, 2008 and 2010 saw some of the best piste conditions of the whole season! |
| • |
The terrain is ideal for anyone beginning or developing their Alpine skiing skills, there’s lots of it and it’s easy to get to. |
| • |
For those looking for greater challenges and wishing to develop their ski technique further, there are plenty of steeps, ‘deeps’, bumps and wide pistes for high speed! |
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Contact us for tour operator packages, e.g. from £511 for flights, transfers and 'chalet board' accommodation; ski pass extra.
Independent travel and accommodation options are also possible for all weeks; arrange your own flight to Geneva and we advise/arrange transfer to Tignes. From £475 for 7 nights half-board, twin share accommodation and including 6 day ski pass. Other accommodation options available e.g. self-catering from £235; ski pass extra.
Ski pass, 6 days (if extra): €222.50 (approx £190).
N.B. Because of 'odd' holiday days/dates and available tour operator packages over Christmas and New Year this year, we can, within reason, accommodate alternative travel dates to those listed here for these weeks |
|
Fantastic early season snow conditions at Tignes
Photo: John Eames
DATES
11/12/10 – 18/12/10
19/12/10 – 26/12/10
26/12/10 – 02/01/11
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
|
|
| FRANCE – Les Contamines: little-known, very convenient and very scenic |
LEVELS: 2 – 5
| • |
Les Contamines offers a wonderful ski area with confidence building open runs, sheltered pistes in the trees, convenient off-piste skiing and excursions over to the even quieter Hautluce area – all with the Mt Blanc range as an awe-inspiring backdrop. |
| • |
Additional skiing is available at Megeve and St Gervais, though there is plenty to go at and outstanding variety for all abilities at Les Contamines – also a relatively cheap lift pass! |
| • |
This is small resort located in a wonderful forested valley. The lack of a throbbing night-life is offset by quiet pistes, reliable snow and the great food and welcome of our chosen hotel! |
|
|
Photos illustrate the empty pistes and great snow of Les Contamines …
Photos: John Eames
|
| |
|
|
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Contact us for recommendations about accommodation, e.g. hotel half board, twin share, from £580 (3* hotel) or £390 (2* hotel). Ski pass extra €160 (approx £140) UCPA group style accommodation from £420 per person (full-board and ski pass).
Own flight to Geneva and train/bus to Les Contamines or a door-to-door transfer with ATS.
OR – train (TGV) London – St Gervais and short bus ride to Les Contamines. |
|
DATES
02/01/11 – 09/01/1
08/01/11 – 15/01/11
N.B. Because of 'odd' holiday days/dates and available tour operator packages over New Year this year, we can, within reason, accommodate alternative travel dates to those for the first week listed here.
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
|
|
| ITALY – La Thuile: 'All Terrain' skiing – for all! |
LEVELS: 1 – 4
| • |
La Thuile, our regular and highly regarded base, offers consistently excellent snow and no queues. February is great for powder snow and April usually has the best snow cover of the season! |
| • |
This skiing course is suitable for those new to the sport, 'improvers' and 'advanced' skiers looking to refine and develop their skills for new challenges. |
| • |
La Thuile pistes provide an ideal learning terrain; quiet with a good variety of runs and acres of gentle to steeper off-piste skiing. |
| • |
Unspoilt village, comfortable and relaxed accommodation, great restaurants for group get-togethers, dramatic scenery and unforgettable Italian hospitality. |
|
|
View over a small part of the La Thuile ski area.
Photo: www.lathuile.net
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Contact us for recommendations about tour operator packages, e.g. travel and half-board from £578. Independent options are also possible: own flight to Turin or Geneva, transfers £80 – £110 return; we can arrange B&B accommodation (from £285, 7 nights, share basis).
DATES
06/02/11 – 13/02/11
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING:
|
|
|
|
| SWITZERLAND – Andermatt: quiet ski areas, easy access and loads of snow! |
LEVELS: 3 – 4
| • |
Andermatt, surrounded by great skiing, is cradled deep in the Swiss Alps, with easy and direct access from the airports. |
| • |
The Gemstock and Gurschen areas offer some immaculate pistes and big descents; the Natschen area has sunny, easier runs; Oberalp is a hidden gem of on- and off-piste skiing. |
| • |
Andermatt is developing a reputation as one of the best off-piste resorts in the Alps – the on-piste is pretty good as well! |
| • |
Although not an off-piste course as such the focus will be towards developing skills for off-piste – which we'll be doing!
|
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
You arrange flight (e.g. easyJet) to Zurich, we advise re direct train transfer (approx £56 return) and reserve accommodation for you. Hotel half-board 7 nights cost from £415; 6 day ski pass CHF254 (approx £155).
DATES
26/03/11 – 02/04/11
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
View of the town and the Gemstock ski area.
Photo: Andermatt.chs
In-bounds off-piste at Andermatt!
Photo: John Eames
|
|
|
|
| SWITZERLAND – Lenzerheide: great for all skiers, spread over a vast mountain bowl |
LEVELS: 1 – 4
| • |
Lenzerheide, high in the Graubunden Alps of Eastern Switzerland, has a well-deserved reputation for excellent and long-lasting snow – as well as plenty of easy access off-piste skiing. |
| • |
With links to Churwalden and Parpan, the skiing is extensive, with a good variety of ski runs, efficient uplift and not too many people. |
| • |
Lenzerheide has plenty of wooded areas for sheltered skiing on bad weather days. |
| • |
The comfort, food and facilities at our hotel base are stunning and offer great value for money. |
|
|
Above: View of some of the excellent and varied terrain from the Rothorn.
Left: Perfect off-piste ‘over the back’!
Photos: John Eames
|
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Simply arrange your own flight to Zurich and arrange train and bus to Lenzerheide (easily done in Switzerland!); we will do the rest!
EXTRAS: Train/bus transfers from/to Zurich airport: approx £61; half-board twin shared accommodation and 6 day ski: from £690 (3* hotel); £650 (2* hotel); £550 (YHA)
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
DATES
January
22/01/11 – 29/01/11
29/01/11 – 05/02/11
March
19/03/11 – 26/03/11 |
|
|
|
AUSTRIA – Kühtai: great high-altitude, snow-sure skiing with an Austrian flavour!
Ideal for starting and developing off-piste skiing.
|
LEVELS:
All Terrain: 2 – 4
Off-piste Performance 3 – 4
| • |
As a high resort Kühtai, at over 2000 m, has a well-deserved reputation for excellent and long-lasting snow. |
| • |
With the linked (free shuttle bus) Hochoetz ski area, the pistes are extensive, offering a good variety of runs, efficient uplift and not too many people. |
| • |
The off-piste potential is huge, whether you are new to off-piste skiing or looking for steeper and deeper challenges – and it does'nt get 'skied out'! |
| • |
The comfort, food and facilities at our hotel base are stunning and offer great value for money. The hotel is also ski-in/ski-out! |
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Simply arrange your own flight to Munich and we will do the rest! Alternative flights via Innsbruck (arrange own transfer – contact us for details).
EXTRAS: Transfers from/to Munich airport: from £95; half-board, twin shared 3* hotel: from £695; ‘Alpine hut’ accommodation with half-board: from £365
Ski pass: €162 / 6days (£140 approx)
DATES & COSTS
For instruction/coaching only. All dates listed above: £290
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
Left & Right: In amongst the off-piste above Kuhtai.
Photos: John Eames
Perfect off-piste - March in Austria.
Photo: John Eames
|
|
|
|
| SWITZERLAND – Zinal: little-known gem, Swiss charm & awesome views! |
LEVELS:
All Terrain: 2 – 4
Off-piste Performance 3 – 5
| • |
Tucked away at the top of the Val d’Anniviers (off the Rhone Valley in the Valais), Zinal, at 1650 m, has its own ski area (with dramatic views of nearby 4000 m peaks) and four other areas a short shuttle bus ride away. |
| • |
Zinal and Grimentz can also be linked by an off-piste run and have open, high-altitude skiing with a good range of runs. |
| • |
Vercorin has some delightful tree skiing and St Luc/Chandolin has a great selection of runs at all levels with a stunning outlook. |
| • |
Don’t expect a vibrant nightlife, do expect plenty of skiing and the pleasure or exploring little-known, but excellent ski areas. |
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Arrange your own flight to Geneva, Sion or Zurich and onward travel by train and bus – easy in Switzerland! We book your accommodation (from £560, 7 nights half-board, twin share basis; other options available).
Ski pass: CHF245 (approx £150).
DATES
15/01/11 – 22/01/11
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
Top: The view from the Grimentz ski area.
Middle: On- and off-piste at Zinal.
Photos: Eric & Penny Kendall www.skizinal.com
|
|
|
|
| ITALY – Gressoney: at the heart of the Monte Rosa ski area |
LEVELS: 3 – 4
| • |
Gressoney/Stafal (Val d’Aosta) is at 1800 m and the lifts go up to 3300 m! High altitude skiing close under Monte Rosa ensures great Spring skiing conditions. |
| • |
The resort offers a good variety of slopes for learning and developing technique with lots of space: 150 kms of piste spread out over 3 valleys … and the peaks and glaciers of Monte Rosa as a dramatic backdrop! |
| • |
To make use of all the links and options in this area this week is best for Level 3 skiers as a minimum. |
| • |
Although a piste-based week, ease of access to off-piste means we can 'give it a go'! |
| • |
Hotels are convenient to slopes & town centre – but don’t expect a throbbing nightlife! |
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
We have arranged half-board accommodation at a hotel, convenient for skiing, with all comforts, wifi and great food. Cost from £525 per person for 7 nights, twin share including 6 day ski pass. Arrange own flight to Turin or Milan; ATS transfers from £105 return OR train & bus approx £50 return.
DATES
02/04/12 – 09/04/11
FULL DETAILS & BOOKING: |
|
Top: Excellent on- and off-piste above Gressoney.
Bottom:
Alpine charm in this unspoilt ski area.
Photos: Monterosa Ski Area
|
|
|
|
