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Texas Ski Council 2010 Winter Expedition: Aosta, Italy |
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Aosta: Powder, Pasta, and PâtéSkiEurope is pleased to present Aosta, Italy as the destination for the Texas Ski Council’s 2010 Winter Expedition. Trip Dates: Confidentiality Statement: Information contained in this proposal is the property of the submitting ski industry organization and the Texas Ski Council, and should be held in the strictest confidence. This information should be restricted to the Texas Ski Council officers, member ski club officers, and those directly involved with the bid evaluation or trip planning activities. Dissemination of the contents of this proposal to other ski industry organizations or nonmembers of the Texas Ski Council is expressly prohibited. top ^ Trip SummaryThe Aosta valley is located in the northwest corner of Italy adjoining Switzerland and France, and is just one hour from Torino Airport, and less than two hours from both Geneva and Milan Airports. The Aosta Valley lies in the most mountainous region of Italy. It is entirely surrounded by the best-known, splendid peaks of the Alps: Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gran Paradiso. The region is governed by a special law, giving it a degree of autonomy and official recognition of both Italian (Pasta!) and the French (Pâté) languages and palates. The Aosta Valley comprises twenty Ski Resorts (Powder!) which give skiers the maximum choice depending on their taste, snow conditions and weather. Among these are five world-class ski areas, all accessed by a single modest priced lift pass:
A TSC ski bus service will provide access to all.
Scattered along the valley and its tributaries are the typical villages with quaint local houses (rascards). St. Vincent and its Casino offer a wide range of entertainment. Lodging is provided in high-quality hotels in the historic town of Aosta, capital of the region, with cable car access to the slopes. Of course, there is a wealth of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment. top ^ Aosta: The Valley
It is entirely surrounded by the best-known, splendid peaks of the Alps: Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gran Paradiso. The region is governed by a special law, giving it a degree of autonomy and official recognition of both Italian and the French languages. Numerous glaciers feed a rich web of streams, which at the bottom of the respective valleys flow into. The distinctly Alpine character of this region can be seen in the pine forests, up to rather high altitudes, where they give place to large pasturelands. The small Alpine lakes, little jewels set in majestic mountain landscapes, are numerous.
The beautiful castle of Fenis is one of the most toured of the region. In an unusual location for a fort, its construction and first development phases are not known. The first mentions date back to the beginning of the XIII century.
Scattered along the valley and its tributaries are the typical villages with the quaint local houses (rascards). St. Vincent and its Casino offer a wide range of entertainment.
top ^ Aosta: The Town (Our Base)
Aosta, located at 580m altitude in the centre of the Valley of Aosta, at the strategic junction where the main roads heading to France and Switzerland converge. Aosta was founded by the Romans in 25 B.C. and is small, precious art city, cradle of Roman and Medieval vestiges. Rich in monuments from pre-historical, Roman, medieval and later times, Aosta is also of interest thanks to some so called "lesser" art, such as ancient roads, fountains, wash-houses, votive chapels, sundials, historical houses and courtyards. Important traces of the Roman Age can be found in the extant city walls, the theater, Augustus’s Arch, the perfectly intact Pretorian Gate, and the Cryptoporticus Forum. Visitors can admire two masterpieces of Medieval Art. The Romanesque Cathedral, which dates back to the eleventh century, has Ottanian frescoes in the garret, floor mosaics, the wooden choir, and its treasure museum. The Sant'Orso Church has frescoes, wooden choir and enchanting cloisters. Each year, for the past one thousand years, on the 30th and 31st of January, Aosta holds the Fiera di Sant’Orso, a showcase of traditional handicraft activities: sculptures and wood carvings, ollare stone creations, wrought-iron and leather products, "drap" weaving - the oldest mountain fabric in the entire alpine area - plus lace, wicker, objects and utensils. top ^ Aosta Valley Ski Areas
Shown on the map above in red, and described in detail in the following sections, are the world-class ski areas of :
Show on the map above in blue, the medium and smaller resorts: Antagnod, Brusson, Chamois, Champorcher, Colle di Joux (Saint-Vincent), Cogne, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, La Magdeleine, Ollomont, Rhemes-Notre-Dame, Saint Rhemy-en-Bosses, Torgnon, Valgrisenche, Valsavarenche, Valtournenche. top ^ Aosta Valley Ski Areas StatisticsJust the five top Aosta Valley Ski Resorts offer remarkable extent, variety, and challenge:
All Aosta Valley Ski Resorts are accessed using a single lift pass which cost averages only $45 per day. Aosta - Pila is accessed by cable car from the Aosta city center in about 18 minutes. Hotels operate free shuttles to the cablecar base station, or direct to Pila for a nominal fee. SkiEurope will operate a ski bus to the other areas at a cost of about $10 per person per day used. Heli-skiing is available. top ^ Aosta - Pila (Home Base)
The 70 km of ski runs (22 of which are covered by scheduled artificial snowing) range from an altitude of 1,800m up to 2,750m affording visitors a breathtaking 360° view ranging from the Mont Blanc to the Grand-Combin, from the Matterhorn to Monte Rosa. 12 ski-lift facilities for an overall carrying capacity of 18,900 people per hour grant access to an extremely varied resort, making it possible to cater to the needs of novices as well as of the more expert skiers. Pila also boasts a timed slalom run, with a standard launch spot, gates and arrival photocells. The resort offers over 180 instructors from the two ski schools (Pila Ski School and Aosta SkiSnowboard), who dedicate themselves in a friendly and competent way to those who want to improve on their style. top ^ Courmayeur - Mont Blanc (35 minutes)
The slopes run down two sides, from the 1,525 m altitude of Plan Vény on one side and the 1,709 m of Plan Chécrouit on the other, right up to the 2,763 m altitude of Cresta d'Arp. The resort is accessible via two cable-cars, the terminals of which are situated in Courmayeur (hourly capacity of 1,667 people) and in Entrèves (hourly capacity of 1,100 people) respectively. A wide run featuring artificial snowmaking and suitable for all levels of skiers connects Plan Chécrouit to the village of Dolonne, which connects to Courmayeur town by a shuttle bus, without using the cable-car. Off-piste skiing is possible directly on the slopes of the Mont Blanc, the peaks of which can be admired thanks to the Mont Blanc cable-cars leaving from La Palud. The facility climbs to an altitude of 3,462 m, from where the runs of the Toula and Vallée Blanche depart. The latter takes you all the way down to Chamonix. top ^ La Thuile (40 minutes)
La Thuile (1,441 m altitude) is a large basin dominated by the Rutor glacier, on the international road to France of Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo. The ski resort is called “Espace San Bernardo” due its international "skis on" connection to the French resort in La Rosière. It has 150 km of runs (25 of with snowmaking) served by 38 ski lift facilities. You can ski on both sides of the Alps, up to an altitude of 2,612m, using a single skipass. The runs offer an extraordinary amount of variety: ranging from children's runs and play areas to the fantastic sights offered by the landscape runs for relaxing skiing, right through to the mythical Berthod run, formerly used for downhill races during the World Cup, with a maximum gradient of 73%! The track, which is reserved only for the more experienced skiers, takes you to La Thuile after almost four kilometres of challenging descent. The resort features an extensive selection of refreshment points and equipment rental facilities. top ^ Valtournenche - Breuil - Cervinia - Zermatt (50 minutes)
In addition to its own infrastructure, Breuil - Cervinia has skis-on connections to the areas of Valtournenche and Zermatt. Including all three areas, there is a total of 350 km of ski runs served by a total of 59 ski-lift facilities with an overall carrying capacity of 78,782 people per hour. Breuil - Cervinia beneath the "most noble rock in Europe", there are 130 km of ski runs connected with a total of 27 ski-lift facilities. There is an international connection with Zermatt, via the Cime Bianche Laghi - Plateau Rosà cable-car and the Bontadini chair-lift. From Plateau Rosa, you can ski down towards Zermatt, or take the Ventina run: 11 km downhill from the 3,480 m altitude at the top to the 2,050 m altitude in Cervinia. The Cime Bianche Laghi area (the pick-up point of the 140-people cable-car to Plateau Rosa) offers a selection of fantastic downhill runs from the Goillet, the access gate to the Valtournenche resort. The Domaine del Carosello boasts runs amid the pine trees, served by the Cieloalto chair-lift. For totally relaxing skiing, Plan-Maison boasts ample ski-lift facilities (including the covered four-seater chair-lifts in Plan Maison, Fornet and Bontadini) serving ski runs, also connected to Plateau Rosa, for all levels and all tastes. With a "skis on" connection from Plan Maison, you can ski as far as the village of Breuil - Cervinia and enjoy all the facilities of the Crétaz resort. Valtournenche (1,520 m altitude), the historic regional capital of the valley, is connected via the Cime Bianche pass to the ski runs of Breuil - Cervinia and Zermatt. On its own, Valtournenche has 35 km of ski runs that reach altitudes of up to 3,085 m. There are runs for both novice and expert skiers, which are accessed via a 12-person telecabin (carrying capacity of 2,400 persons per hour) from the village. The ski-lift facilities make it possible to ski along a difference in altitude of more than 1,500 m. top ^ Monterosa Ski: Ayas - Gressoney - Alagna (60 minutes)
Champoluc is part of the Monterosa Ski circuit; its slopes are interwoven with ski runs for all levels of ability from the novice to the expert. One of the most charming skiing itineraries departs from Champoluc, leading "skis on" to Alagna and Gressoney, the centres of the other two valleys that complete the Monterosa Ski complex. The ski runs boast a modern snowmaking system that guarantees skiing is possible all throughout the winter season right up to late spring. Gressoney-La Trinité, situated at the foot of Monte Rosa, has a notable history with an unusual balance between a modern tourist resort and an old Alpine village of typical Walser buildings. Skiing in Gressoney means benefiting from fast ultra-modern ski-lifts, powerful snowmaking, and a large number of refreshment points. It is the home of Italian off-piste skiing. top ^ Aosta Valley Ski Pass
In addition, the multi-day version offers many valuable après ski services, such as free entrance to sports facilities (swimming pools and ice rinks), shows and museums (castles, museums, exhibitions), discounted entrance to games rooms in Saint Vincent and to the historic Fort of Bard, recently restored and containing a mountain museum. top ^ Multi-Consecutive Days VersionThe multi-consecutive day version is valid in all ski resorts of the Aosta Valley without limitation including La Rosière (F) and Alagna/Scopello (VC). There is a discounted price for children aged 6 to 12, for senior citizens (over 65 ). Holders of a consecutive multi-day pass of at least 5 days duration are entitled to free use of the after ski advantages and services. top ^ Multi-Consecutive Days-International (Aosta Valley + Zermatt)The multi-consecutive-days-international version is valid in all ski resorts of the Aosta Valley without limitation including La Rosière (F) and Alagna/Scopello (VC). It is also valid for the ski lifts in Zermatt, Switzerland. The international version is issued for 6-days including 2 days in Zermatt, or 7-days including 3 days in Zermatt (and also for longer periods). There are no age-discounted versions of this pass. The International version of the Aosta Valley Ski Pass must be used first in the Aosta Valley (not in Zermatt.) top ^ Aosta Valley Ski Pass Prices
These are 2009 prices. Rates for 2010 have not yet been determined. top ^ Aosta Activities and ExcursionsFollowing are a sample of the activities and half- and full-day excursions that will be available in Aosta. Others may be added according to demand (Geneva, Milan, Chamonix, …) Half-day excursions cost $35 to $50; full-day $80 to $95. Aosta City Tour
Roman treasures include a Roman bridge, Arch of Augustus, Pretorian Gate, Theatre, Forum and Crypto-Potico, Amphiteatre, Pailleron Tower, and Villa of the Consulate. From the Medieval Ages, there are tow important complexes: Sant Orso and the Cathedral of Asunta, and a number of other important monuments: Basilica of San Lorenzo, Bailiff’s Tower, and Bramafam Tower. Most of these monuments are located within the original city walls and with a half-mile radius. top ^ A Snowshoe WalkFor an unforgettable experience, enjoy a pleasant snow shoe walk surrounded by enchanting mountain sceneries. Escorted by expert guides, you will discover secluded corners only accessible with snow shoes.
This experience is not difficult and is suitable for everyone. The hike lasts about 3 hours according to weather conditions. Included: rental of snow shoes and ski sticks; liability insurance, professional naturalistic guide for the whole day. Suggested clothing: salopettes or winter sportswear, cap or band for the ears, warm socks, waterproof hiking boots, spats. top ^ Hot-Air Balloon Flight
Professional pilots will guide you to admire the spectacular peaks of the Aosta Valley, to overfly the city of Aosta following the course of wind. Duration of the flight: 1 hour in addition to the time necessary to prepare the hot-air balloon. Price about $225. top ^ Astronomical Observatory at Saint BarthélemyAn Astronomical Observatory is located at 1630m altitude in the valley of Saint-Barthélemy, on a natural balcony overlooking a wonderful alpine landscape.
There are two possible visits to the observatory: a day visit which includes the observation of the sun and the explanation of the astronomical equipment, and a night visit which includes the guided observation of the vault of heaven with the naked eye and through the telescopes. top ^ Turin
From these periods, date many palaces, residences and castles. The complex of the fifteen Royal Residences in the city centre and in the surrounding towns was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Our guided city tour will encompass a sampling of the finest monuments from these ages. The symbol of Turin is the Mole Antonelliana, built in 1863 as a synagogue, nowadays housing the National Museum of Cinema, and it is believed to be the tallest museum in the world. Turin’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is the major church of the city. It was built during 1491-1498 and it is adjacent to an earlier campanile (1470). A Chapel is the current resting place of the Shroud of Turin. In addition to be called “the Capital of the Alps”, Turin is “the Automobile Capital of Italy”, home to FIAT, Lancia, Pininfarina, Bertone, Ghia, Sparco, Italdesign, and a host of others. The Lignotto building was at one time the largest car factory in the world, and now houses a Convention center, concert hall, art gallery, shopping center and hotel. top ^ Reggia di Veneria
Among the most imposing of these sites, La Veneria Royal, opened in 2007, after two centuries of abandon and decay and eight years of intense restoration. It has recovered the baroque magnificence when it was built for Duke Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia. The complex is an immense and imposing space comprising the old market town, Palace, gardens, and park. The Reggia, the vast (almost 1 million square feet!) imposing baroque palace, is one of the most significant examples of the architecture and art in the 17th and 18th centuries. La Mandria Park is one of the finest European environmental havens where domestic and wild animals live in complete freedom. The Reggia di Venaria Reale royal palace and the residence of La Mandria have been declared “World Heritage” sites by UNESCO. top ^ Fortress of Bard
The Fortress is formed of 3 defense stations positioned at different levels upon a high imposing rock spur, rising over 200 feet above the base. There are a total of 283 rooms in the entire fortress. The top of the fortified rock is easily accessible thanks to futuristic external glass lifts with stunning views, taking you from the medieval village of Bard at the foot of the fortress right to the top. Here, at the very pinnacle enclosed by a wall, sits the most impressive of the constructions. Defending the south side is the Gola Opera with its internal courtyard, and overlooking the north is the Carlo Alberto Opera with its magnificent Piazza d’Armi, a great quadrangular courtyard surrounded by a wide arcade. The first floor of the Carlo Alberto Opera hosts the Museum of the Alps, an avante garde interactive, multimedia and multidisciplinary journey of discovery. top ^ Grand Saint Bernard – Étroubles – MartignyOn this trip we follow the Via Francigena, a route used for more than 3000 years. It was the most important road in Italy for traders and pilgrims during the Middle Ages, across the high alps. Going up towards the mountains, we will visit Étroubles, a medieval village which a beautiful outdoor museum, with a tight web of litte streets filled with sculptures, frescos and paintings made by international artists, all grouped together under the planned project of the Fondo Sociale Europeo (European Social Fund). In the past, groups of homes had a franchise as “marronniers” (guides for the Great St. Bernard pass).
In Martigny, the Romans left many archaeological remains. In the restored amphitheatre, traditional cow fights are held in early autumn. The city is also famous the Gianadda Foundation Museum which has a permanent collection of old automobiles and hosts painting exhibitions every year, with works by renowned masters. top ^ Alagna ValsesiaOn this trip, we will travel to tiny villages in the high alps to explore the original of the traditional Walser civilizations. The Walsers are of Germanic origin from, who started colonizing numerous areas in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and France around the start of the year 1000. They were searching for new pastures, crossing over alpine passes during relatively mild weather to settle in the higher zones at the head of the valleys.
For centuries, these people lived in near complete isolation which was made even more so by the German language in an Italian territory. The latter helped to keep their religious rites, lifestyle, clothing designs, food, economy and physical traits unchanged for a long time. Then, mainly thanks to seasonal migration of the strong-built, highly specialized men from all the Valsesian Walser communities and subsequent schooling, customs and costumes once almost identical, started to change, giving the six colonies the look that we know today. top ^ Spa of Pré Saint DidierPré-Saint-Didier Spa is a three-floor wellness centre boasting a beautiful front garden. Warm waters flowing out from the heart of the mountain will give you the chance to enjoy a total relaxation experience. The spa centre boasts 3 outdoor thermal pools, indoor and outdoor saunas, a Turkish bath, relaxation rooms with chromo therapy and aromatherapy and a veranda with panoramic views.
Entry includes the use of bathrobe, towel, flip flops and body care products, as well as a light buffet with fruit, bread, breadsticks, infusions and fruit juices, in addition to your selections from more than thirty different thermal treatments. Exclusive anti-stress massages are available to ease your body in settings evoking bygone times. top ^ Pre-Trips and Post-TripsSkiEurope offers a choice of pre- and post-trips, with the following destinations possible: City stop-overs:Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt – all are options depending on which airline is traveled. Como and The Italian Lake District
Como is a lovely city located on the southern end of Lake Como, surrounded by an arc of hills. Founded nearly 2,200 years ago by the Romans, little survived of the ancient walled perimeters. Today we can admire the grand buildings and architecture of the “maestri comacini”, known as early as the 7th century, who were builders, masons, stone carvers and plasterers developing the great Romanesque style which spread from Como throughout Italy. The magnificent cathedral was Como’s greatest architectural project, started in 1396 and finished with the cupola in the 18th century. Lake Como is surrounded by lovely historic villas and private homes of many famous actors from around the world, which can be seen from a boat ride on the lake. Lake Como can be operated as Pre- or Post-Trip. $ TBA per person. Price Includes:
Optional day excursion will be offered to Milan and St. Moritz. top ^ PRE-Trip to MILAN 18 – 22 January 2010
Milan, the second largest city in Italy, is renowned as a world capital of design and fashion. (The English word millinery, referring to women's hat, is derived from the name of the city.) Fashion houses and shops are found along via Montenapoleone and in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (reputed to be the world's oldest shopping mall). With a long history, Milan has many worthwhile sights. Although little is found of the Roman times and earlier, Milan Cathedral is one of the largest and greatest examples of Gothic architecture. It hosts a remarkable collection of marble statues including the widely-visible golden Madonna atop the spire. The rule of the Sforza family, between the 14th and 15th century, made Milan the seat of an elegant Renaissance court, attracting artists of the calibre of Leonardo da Vinci leaving works of inestimable value, such as the fresco of the Last Supper. Cost per person: Check with your club for price and details Price Includes:
Optional Day Excursion to Como: Lake Como is surrounded by lovely historic villas and private homes of many famous actors from around the world, which can be seen from a boat ride on the lake. top ^ POST-Trip to ROME 29 January – 1 February 2010
Known as the “eternal city”, Rome is a treasure store of history and culture. For almost a thousand years, as capital of the Roman Republic and Empire, Rome was the most politically important, richest and largest city in the western world, its power extending over most of Europe. Rome is also identified with the seat of the Roman Catholic Pope in the tiny enclave state of Vatican City, a sovereign territory and smallest nation in the world. As one of the few European cities that escaped World War II relatively unscathed, central Rome remains essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Cost per person: Check with your club for price and details Price Includes:
Optional Day Excursion to Naples and Pompeii: top ^ London, England (subject to flight approval)Historically, London is one of the great world cities, a global capital of culture, fashion, business, finance, trade, education, politics, entertainment, media, and the arts.
London boasts four UNESCO World Heritage sites: the complex of Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church; the Tower of London, the historic settlement of Greenwich; and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Befitting its size and cultural complex, London offers a plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. It would be easy just to step outside your hotel and become absorbed in everything London has to offer nearby. To get you started, there will be a locally-guided half-day city tour of the famous central landmarks. You will see the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben on the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Knightsbridge with Harrods. A feature will be a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Subject to flight approval, London will be offered as Post-Trip. $ TBA per person. Price Includes:
An optional day excursion to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace, or to Canterbury and Leeds Castle, will be offered. top ^ Aosta HotelsHotel Milleluci (4-star)
The hotel has the feel of a country inn, with a lounge full of comfortable chairs and sofas near a bar. Most of the bedrooms are large, like modest suites, with canopied four-post beds, sofa, table and chairs. The hotel has a sauna and hot tub. The Millelucci has a continental breakfast buffet, and eggs to order. It does not have a full-service restaurant, but will arrange to cater dinners for our groups.
top ^ Hostellerie du Cheval Blanc (4-star)
Comfortable, ample and well lit with big windows, the 55 rooms (17 suites and 38 standard rooms) offer optimal four-star service as well as ADSL WI-FI connection, independent air conditioning, soundproofing and ample bathrooms for your maximum comfort. Minibar, TV, Safe box. The Hostellerie has two restaurants, Le Petit and Le Brasserie. Both provide an exclusive atmosphere, in which to savor the quality of the cuisine based upon local products from the Aosta Valley territory. All this is served with the wines from the best local and other wine cellars.
Hostellerie du Cheval Blanc
top ^ Hotel Europe (4-star)
The cable car to the Pila ski area is 800 m from the hotel, and the train station is about 250m away. This is an inviting and elegant hotel with a professional friendly staff, providing for a warm and spacious atmosphere. It has 63 charming rooms and 8 elegant executive rooms.
The hotel restaurant features delicious specialties of Aosta region and international cuisine. Buffet breakfast and lunch. Hotel Europe top ^ Hotel Norden Palace (4-star)
The hotel’s 50 elegantly furnished rooms feature air-conditioning, telephone, TV, mini bar, safe box and bathroom with hairdryer. Some more-spacious rooms and Junior Suites are available, where it is possible to have an extra sofa bed (double bed suitable for 2 children or 1 adult).
Hotel Norden Palace
top ^ Hotel Turin (3-star)
The hotel is simple but comfortable with a welcoming bar and restaurant with wireless internet access. The hotel comprises 47 rooms, all with normal amenities. Via Torino 14
top ^ Organization and SupportOrganization ArrangementsIn the United States, organizational arrangements will be coordinated by SkiEurope from their office in Houston. In Interlaken, staff of SkiEurope will be handling all arrangements from the airport arrival throughout the trip and will be assisted by the staff of the Interlaken Tourist Office. SkiEurope Hospitality DeskThe SkiEurope hospitality desk will be in one of the participating hotels. Pre-Trip DocumentationTexas Ski Council participants will be provided with pre-trip information to assist in familiarization and efficiency. Upon arrival at the resort, the local representatives will provide briefings and information. Promotional MaterialDestination brochures, trail maps, hotel brochures, posters and reference materials can be ordered by each participating club from SkiEurope. Club PresentationsUpon request, and subject to availability and group size, Ski Europe staff will attend promotional or pre-trip meetings to assist the individual clubs in marketing the trip. Site Inspection VisitSkiEurope, together with the Interlaken tourist authorities will arrange a site inspection visit for the Expedition Coordinator. Pre-orderingSkiEurope has a computerized system for pre-ordering services (lift tickets, ski rental equipment, excursions, etc.). Information and Order Forms for pre-ordering will be provided to each participating club. top ^ SkiEuropeSkiEurope is a travel company that specializes in marketing and operating European winter vacations for North American guests. The company was founded in 1985 by the current principals and originally operated under the name AustriaSki. The company has recently merged operations with Alpine Adventures located in Fort Lauderdale. The company’s group sales and operations office is located in Houston, Texas, with European operations handled from Innsbruck, Austria. Service ObjectiveSkiEurope is dedicated to providing its guests with uncompromising standards of service, care, and attention. We recognize that a person’s vacation gives rise to high anticipations; we strive to ensure that these expectations are achieved or exceeded. GroupsThe group division of the company caters to ski clubs and councils, church, university, corporate, and business groups ranging in size from a dozen to over 1,000 guests. This division has experienced steady growth, and derives over 80% of its business from repeat customers and their referrals. IndividualsAlpine Adventures, the individual division of the company, provides travel arrangements for independent travelers, and is dominant in the upscale travel agent market. Prior to acquisition by Alpine Adventures, SkiEurope operated a substantial online service which experienced substantial growth. In November 2000, SkiEurope was selected by Interactive Week as a member of the Interactive 500, one of the leaders in e-commerce. top ^ Texas Ski Council ExperienceSkiEurope has the in-depth knowledge, expertise, and experience of the requirements, preferences, and expectations for a Texas Ski Council trip: Over the twenty years since its establishment in 1986, to operate the Texas Ski Council largest-ever European trip to Bad Gastein Austria, SkiEurope has made the arrangements for more than a dozen Texas Ski Council trips, including recently:
Other Major GroupsOther major trips for ski councils and related organizations include:
References are available from these and other ski club and group clients. top ^ Trade AssociationsSkiEurope is a member of these ski and travel trade associations:
SkiEurope actively collaborates with the major national and regional tourist offices. Consumer ProtectionThroughout its existence SkiEurope has never been subject to any complaint to a consumer protection, regulatory, or trade organization. The company has $2 million general liability and $2million professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance. Our major clients share this protection as named additional insured. Staff and ManagementMost of the staff members of SkiEurope are Europeans with an in-depth knowledge and personal experience in our destinations. Many are designated Destination Specialists for their relevant countries. Richard Davidson, managing director of SkiEurope, is a frequent writer and speaker on tourism-related issues. He is on the Board of Switzerland Tourism and is a director of the International Federation for Information Technology in Travel and Tourism. Richard was awarded the Tirol Adler Orden, the highest recognition for exceptional contributions to tourism in Austria. Dorothea Rasser has, for three consecutive years, been named by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as the Top Travel Specialist for skiing in Europe. top ^ |
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SkiEurope - 2636 Yorktown #321 - Houston, Texas - 77056, USA |
For semi- and non-skiers, the town of Aosta was a Roman settlement with vestiges to explore. There are many fortified castles along the Aosta Valley; most of them are in perfect conditions and open to visitors; many have become museums of local history.
Located just one hour from Torino Airport, and less than two hours from both Geneva and Milan Airport, the Aosta Valley lies in the most mountainous region of Italy.
There are many fortified castles along the Aosta Valley; moist of them are in perfect conditions and open to visitors; many have become museums of local history. The most famous are the castles of Fénis, of Aymavilles, of Issogne and Verrés.
Thanks to the Mont Blanc and the Gran San Bernardo tunnels, the great historic passes are today important lines of communication.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Alps’ Mont blanc, Aosta ranks third among Italian cities for its number of ancient Roman ruins.
The Aosta Valley comprises twenty Ski Resorts which give skiers the maximum choice of areas, depending on their taste, snow conditions and weather.
Pila dominates the town of Aosta, with which it is connected by a newly renovated 8-passenger telecabin that allows skiers to leave town and get to the ski runs in just 18 minutes.
Courmayeur (1,224 m altitude) sits at the bottom of a splendid basin overshadowed by the Mont Blanc mountain range, with the Chécrouit-Val Vény ski resort.
La Thuile is one of the largest ski resorts in the Valle d’Aosta. From and the Mont Blanc. Without removing your skis, you can leave La Thuile and ski as far as La Rosière (France) for international skiing.
Breuil - Cervinia (2,050 m altitude) is a modern resort at the foot of the Matterhorn (in Italian: Mount Cervino), which boasts an impressive ski area. In addition to its own
Monterosa Ski encompasses two valleys, with over 200km of runs making it among the most extensive and modern in the world. Champoluc is the largest town in Valle d’Ayas. Over several generations, it has achieved a popular reputation for serious skiers from both Italy and abroad. Gressoney-La-Trinité is pulsing heart of the main resort of Monterosa Ski, the slopes of Gressoney host some of the finest ski runs and some breathtaking off-piste tracks. Ayas-Champoluc has a large number of ultra-modern ski-lift facilities rising to an altitude of 2,727 metres in the pass of Bettaforca where they join those of the Gressoney valley. Beyond there, from the Crest (1,935m), the ski-lifts rise up to Mount Sarezza, at an altitude of 2,820 m. 
The Aosta Valley Ski Pass is a unified system which opens the door to all the ski areas of the Aosta Valley, plus other connected areas: Alagna Valsesia (Piedmont), La Rosière (France), and Zermatt (Switzerland). The pass is chip-based allowing direct access to the lifts. 
This is a circular track. In the morning, meet at the hotel and travel to the high ground above the city of Aosta. From there, walk through pine-tree woods along the valley with the snow shoes escorted by the guide. Along the way, your guide will introduce the local flora and fauna and point out the principal peaks. In the afternoon return back by a different route. 
Discover the Aosta Valley and its white peak from a new point of view. This is an unforgettable experience on board of one of the first “aircrafts” of history: the hot-air balloon.
The Observatory, considered to be one of the finest in Europe, has variety of equipment. Due to the high qualities of the sky, clear and with a low level of light pollution, here it is possible to observe, teach, and undertake scientific research. 
Turin has many claims to fame, the most recent as host to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. It was the capital of the Dukes of Savoy from 1563, then of the Kingdom of Sardinia ruled by the Royal and finally the first capital of a unified Italy.
Over the past decade, fifteen Royal Residences in Piedmont have been restored to their original grandeur, becoming resources for tourism and culture. They host prestigious art collections (paintings, furniture, tapestries, sculpture and other items), unique and fine examples of architectural settings, and gardens and parks of great historical importance.
Almost intact from the moment of its construction, the Fortress of Bard represents one of the best examples of early 1800 strongholds. Abandoned by the military in 1974, Bard has been restored as a functioning historic monument. It has become the cultural centre of the Western Alps, offering innovative museums and exhibition spaces designed in a way as to ensure the visitor a deeply absorbing experience.
At the Gran San Bernardo mountain pass, which has always been an international crossroads (Napoleon crossed it in May 1800), there is the thousand-year-old nary Ospizio-Rifugio (Hospice-Refuge) of the Augustinians, and the official breeding facility of Saint Bernard dogs. For thousands of years the local inhabitants transported goods and their skills by crossing the pass.
The Walser colonies south of Mont Rosa were founded between the XII and the XIII centuries. Here the Walser tilled the soil and made it cultivatable, they traced trails and built homes in wood and stone in unmistakeable designs in small, scattered groups. The distinct architecture was the fruit of constant research to adapt the construction to the climate and type of work.
Bathing in one of the three outdoor pools will warm you and relax you while you enjoy one of the best views in the world, facing 
With a population numbering over 14 million for the city's metropolitan area, it is the largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, and of western Europe.
Aosta’s finest hotel, the Millelucci is located on a hill overlooking the town and with views of the starry skies (its name means “thousand lights”).
Hotel Millelucci
The Hostellerie du Cheval Blanc is located very near Aosta historical centre and only 800 metres from the cableway to Pila, to which it is connected through comfortable shuttle buses.
The Hostellerie is a modern in architecture but an elegant and cozy hotel.
A complete Wellness Center is at the guests’ disposal, including a roofed swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a big gym, two saunas and massage rooms. A true wellness centre that will help you make your stay more relaxing.
The Hotel Europe is situated in the historical centre of Aosta in an excellent location for sightseeing and shopping. Just a short walk away you will find Aosta’s Roman ruins, including walls, towers and a theatre as well as medieval churches.
The rooms feature individual air-conditioning, telephones, TV, mini bar, electronic safe box, internet access, coffee maker, bathroom with hairdryer, non-smoking rooms
The Hotel Norden Palace is situated 500 m from the historical centre of Aosta. The renowned skiing resort of Aosta-Pila is 18 km from the town centre and can be accessed by a cabin lift 2 km from the hotel. 
The “Taverne Provencale” restaurant offers typical traditional and international cuisine, menu with a choice. Buffet breakfast. Served dinner. Elegant lobby hall with a bar corner.
Adjacent to the pedestrian precinct, and to the old town, the Hotel Turin is close to the train station, the bus terminal, and the cablecar to the Pila ski area. Everything is handy, in a comfortable environment.
