Three days of skiing in the largest snow playground in the Alps and
you won’t be able to cover half of it in this long weekend!
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About this trip: Your lift ticket is good in both Switzerland and France, and there is excellent food on the slopes on both sides of the border. Ski into France fro a gourmet lunch and them back across the border for a Swiss Fondue dinner. Colorado has nothing like that. The only thing that outnumbers the great ski runs in this area are the great restaurants and the toughest decision is whether to keep skiing or stop to eat. Better not linger too long over lunch though, as you can ski hard for three days and still not cover it all. This trip is all about skiing until you can’t ski any more. Portes du Soliel vies with the Trois Vallees for the title of World’s Largest Ski Area. The ski runs are great for keen intermediates who like to travel long distances and through different resorts. Straddling Switzerland and France, the area has nice rustic mountain restaurants, serving good food in pleasant, sunny settings.
This trip is suitable for just about all ski abilities except for first time skiers. Adventurous skiers will enjoy the large variety of piste available. There is a snow park in Avoriaz for snow boarders. Our base of operations is Champery, a classic, charming Swiss village which is conveniently linked by cable car to the ski circuit. The free city bus to the lift stops just across the street from the hotel. (Tourist information: www.champery.ch or www.portesdusoleil.com)
Trip Price: 355€, Single Supplement 40€. The trip is 3 nights (Friday - Monday) and the price includes transportation, room with bath or shower, 3 breakfasts, and 2 dinners.
Skiing:This is a real skiers area – over 650 km of ski trails. There are 206 lifts covering 100 km of black runs, 380 km red runs, 170 km blue runs, and 9 snow parks for boarders.
Experts can strike out in any direction but will most enjoy the World Cup section of Avoriaz, yo-yoing through the Plaine Dranse and Linga, and daring the Swiss Wall. Intermediates should try day outings to Avoriaz then to Chatel, or Champoussin to Le Crosets and down to Morgins. Don’t dilly-dally as these are full day adventures. Watch your time as this is one of the few ski areas in the world where you can ski too far to get back home – the taxi ride can be long and expensive. Snowboarders will want to head to Avoriaz where three terrain-parks and snow-cross areas can be found. This is not a particularly good area for cross-country skiing.
Trip Opens: November 30
Final Payment Due: January 4
Trip Captain: Mag McGinley
Tel: +49 171 957 9548
Hotel: Our hotel, the 3-star Hotel National, is conveniently located on main street in Champery. The cable car station connecting to the ski circuit is about a 400 meter walk or five minute bus ride away from the hotel. The bus stop is immediately across the street from the hotel; your ski lift pass provides unlimited bus usage. They can be reached at +41-24-479-1130.
Lift Passes: An adult 3-day lift pass is approximately 110€, a senior pass is 86€ and a child pass is 72€. Prices are approximate.
Equipment Rental: Ski equipment rental is readily available at the resort but it is more expensive than renting through outdoor rec. Renting prior to departure may be more convenient for you. The TC is not responsible for equipment rental or sizing. The bus will not wait for those turning in equipment at the last minute; please plan accordingly.
Lessons: Lessons are available. A listing of schools is provided at www.champery.ch
Departure: The bus will depart PHV from the Dental Clinic parking lot at 5 pm (17:00). The travel time is approximately 6 hours. When paid in full, members may select their bus seat. The bus waits for no one. Check-in with the TC prior to 16:45 or risk being assessed a 10€ penalty fee that will be used to support the trip party fund. Special Note: Please pack lightly, the bus has limited cargo carrying capacity. Limit yourself to an overnight bag, ski boot bag, and skis. Thanks.
Return: The trip captain will notify skiers of the departure time the night before departure and again the morning of departure.
Enjoy the trip!
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