Euro Ski Trips

Now We're Talking

Just sent out the second notice reminders for our trip to Cervinia in March of 2012.

That always gets me psyched because we are that much closer to actually making turns on snow. It’s exciting working with Holly in spring & summer putting the trip together. Deciding on where to go, then the hotel, then hassle with the airlines & then finally arriving at a trip price.

We visit all the areas websites. We look at all the pictures, peruse the trail maps. Look through the room photos, take the virtual tours if there available, read all the comments. Then try to picture our group there & if they would enjoy what’s available. It keeps our heads in ski mode most of the summer.

Ah but the 2nd payment notice means it’s October & soon the guns will start in VT. We’re done with this summer stuff & it’s time to get ready to make some turns on snow.

Now we’re talking

Posted By Allan Douglas at 5:14 PM

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CERVINIA - LATEST NEWS: TWO NEW RUNS, ONE BLACK AND ANOTHER “ALMOST” BLACK AND…SLOW SKI

To be found in the higher part of the Cretaz ski area, where the 6-seater chairlift with protection shields "Pancheron" arrives and where the imposing south face of Mt Cervino overlooks the skiers; these new runs have been created, one hair-raising black run called the "Cervino Black" on the number 59 and will put to the test even the most expert skier with a "vertical ski" wall (right under the Furggen crest) and a slightly less adrenaline rushed run already known as the run number 24 but completely redesigned, lengthened and widened to offer even better skiing in this ski area, easily reached via the chairlift "Cretaz" from the centre of town and then onto the new "Pancheron". Better skiing also in the area under Mt Cervino, known as the "City of Rocks" where the boulders are balanced on one another like sculptures creating a magical atmosphere: Here you will find a new way to enjoy skiing; slow ski, or take your time to ski, take a deep breath, to follow the slow rhythm of time and get away from it all to enjoy the panorama that surrounds you. The slow ski concept is that of the mind and soul, relaxing and regenerating. Just like Mt Cervino.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 8:51 AM

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March 2012 It's Cervinia & Milan, Italy

Finally, after much back & forth with airlines & hotels we have our trip for March of 2012 nailed down. Our destination is Cervinia/Valtournenche and Milan, Italy.  We will be staying at the Hotel Chalet Valdotain****. Check out this video: Cervinia, Where There Is More Snow. It‘ll get you fired up to make some turns.

The Cervinia area includes the area of Valtournenche and, of course, on any given day, one can ski up and over to Zermatt, Switzerland. The famous Matterhorn presides over this winter wonderland. The area begins at 2000 meters above sea level and rises to 3400 meters on the Plateau Rosa (which is serviced by a brand new cable car), all but guaranteeing plenty of snow fall. As a matter of fact, the skiing will be starting on 10/29 of this year.

The Matterhorn is so close in Cervinia that you may feel you are actually skiing on it, rather than under it. The altitude means that snow conditions are good almost always-even when lower resorts are suffering. Though the skiing here is mostly forgiving, better skiers should not be put off. The altitude and length of the runs, plus some of the skiing to Zermatt can test most decent skiers.

Cervinia offers 130 km of ski runs connected with Valtournenche with a total of 27 ski-lift facilities and an international connection with Zermatt, via the Cime Bianche Laghi - Plateau Rosa cable-car and the Bontadini chair-lift for 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. 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.

Please note the price for the trip includes 2 nights in Milan, Italy.  A 7 day Cervinia-only package quote is available upon request.

Here‘s the link to sign up www.euroskitrips.com/Cervinia12 & as always if you have any questions or to be added to our email list contact us 

by mail at:
Allan & Donna Douglas
Euro Ski Trips
25 Nash Road
Cummington, MA, 01026

By phone at:
(413) 634-5372

By email at:
info@euroskitrips.com

Follow Us 
 

Posted By Allan Douglas at 3:56 PM

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First Day Out

Dougy & I made our first jaunt of the season to Mount Snow today. We wanted to take care of all the stuff like locker, passes, paperwork & hey while were here let’s make some turns.
We did & it was outrageous. The snow conditions were packed pow every where we skied. The snowmakers deserve a big “THANK YOU” they put out some fabulous product. If you can, get up to Mount Snow & get in some pre Xmas turns, you will feel  better.

Of course it’s always great to get back to the mountain & see all of our friends who work there. The first day is like old home day catching up with everyone & what went on in their lives over the summer.

We’re headed back up next week if anyone wants to hook up to make some turns let us know.

It was a good day. The first of what we hope will be a good season.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 4:43 PM

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Kitzbuehel 1st Payment Reminder

Just a friendly reminder of the Kitzbuhel trip scheduled for March 11-19, 2011.  

First deposit is due August 18th.  At this point, even if you are slightly considering the trip, send us your name as it appears on the passport so that we can save an air seat for you.  This in no way commits you to the trip, however, we are playing it safe to make sure that everyone that may want to go gets on the plane list.  

Here’s a link to Euro ski trips so that you can check out trip details and download the registration form:  www.euroskitrips.com

Here’s a link to the map so that you can begin thinking of all the trails you want to ski and maybe even begin planing the Ski Safari.  http://www.bergbahn-kitzbuehel.at/?Mode=Map

Stay cool (thinking of the trip will help), 

Posted By Allan Douglas at 2:12 PM

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It's Getting Better - Kitzbuhel Adds Lifts

An article from Ski Rebel Magazine 

"Austria’s Kitzbuhel resort is adding two new lifts for next winter, a 10 passenger cable car and another eight-seater chairlift.

Lift manufacturer Leitner reported that the leading Austrian resort of Kitzbuhel ordered the chair lifts.

The new Maierl gondola will be Austria’s first ten-seat gondola, and will replace a double chairlift and a drag lift on the route.

The 2.7km (1.7mi) long lift will take users up more than 671 vertical metres (2,200 ft) and transport 2,400 passengers per hour. It will also offer heated seats.

The new Ocsalm chairlift will be 1.16km (1 mi) long and can carry up to 3,300 skiers per hour. Like the new Pengelstein eight-seater that the resort installed for this winter, the new lift will also have a pull down weather protection hood."

Posted By Allan Douglas at 8:0 PM

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It's Kitzbuhel in March 2011

We know that you have been waiting breathlessly to find out where our 2011 ski adventure would take us. Drum roll please .....

Our destination for the March 2011 trip is Kitzbuhel , Austria. We will be staying at the Hotel Hotel Goldner Greif. Check out this review video of Kitzbuhel by Powder Travel. Also check out this additional video of Kitzbuhel on Powder Travel , it‘ll get you fired up to make some turns.

In addition, we will do an optional 2 night add-on in scenic Munich, Germany.          

We are extremely excited about going back to Kitz.  Its one of our faves. We traveled  there in March of 2004 and loved it, staying at the Goldener Greif .  We fell in love with the Old Town and had several days of fabulous skiing.  We are looking forward to doing the Safari, which will be easier now that the new Saukaser Valley gondola has been installed.  For those who do not plan to ski all 6 days, there are day trips by train including the Svarovski Crystal Factory, Vienna or Saltzberg (birthplace of Mozart and setting for The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews). Salzberg is a wonderful city, just the right size for a day trip.

If you have any questions or to be added to our email list contact us

by mail at:
Allan & Donna Douglas
Euro Ski Trips
25 Nash Road
Cummington, MA, 01026

By phone at:
(413) 634-5372

By email at:
info@euroskitrips.com

Posted By Allan Douglas at 10:59 AM

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Starter No Start - A Mount Snow 2 DAy Adventure

Monday 12/28/09 about 5PM.

All done helping folks down Long John, Deer Run & catching them off the top of the #11 lift as they try to get off into the high winds that have been blowing all afternoon. Get in the car, put in the key, turn the key NADA! Can’t be try again NADA! Run up to the distribution center Shawns still there. Out we go thinking hey if we give it extra juice maybe it’ll go. NADA! Camping at Shawn’s for the night. I can handle one night. Thanks Shawn.

Tuesday 12/29/09 7:30AM

Hi Triple A. I need a tow. No not a start a tow. "Oh but they can start anything sir". I don’t care just get somebody here please. 

One hour later a guy from Hartswellville VT. shows up goes through what we did the night before NADA. "Well you have bigger problems" No kidding. I’ll get my ramp truck here by noon. Noon comes & goes so I’m on the phone. "How close are you with the truck?" "Well we won’t be there till later cause the State police closed Rte #9 to Bennington & Rte #112 south & they have us hauling cars off the road but we’ll get you."

Now at Eddie & Sharon’s because their just off Rte#100 & it will be easier for him to pick me up there. Oh yeah it’s now 5PM Tuesday.

6:30PM Tuesday "I’m in the truck heading down Rte#9 from the Rte#8 junction, I’ll pick you up shortly."

7PM Tuesday "Hi Mr Douglas this is (tow guys wife) he just blew a hydraulic line & is stuck on Rte#9. Were going to have to pass you to another hauler." I’m camping at Eddie & Sharon’s. tonight!

Wednesday 12/30/09 7:30AM

Walk into the Ambassadors meeting & people are asking why I’m still there & why is my car still covered in snow. Prospects are good a new company is coming at 8:30 to pick us both up & haul us to John’s Suby in Goshen, MA. It actually happens & we drive down to MA under blue skies & no wind. Get to John’s unload the car & it starts right up. Driver says "yup see that happen all the time."

Home now, cars getting a new starter & if all goes well I’ll be back at  Mount Snow Frday & making some turns or helping skiers down Long John & Deer Run.

Shawn, Eddie & Sharon, for the places to stay & all the Ambassaors (what a great group) who were offering to drive me home, a deep felt thanks.

Winter ya gotta love it cause you can keep em turning & all those problems go away.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 5:52 PM

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A Christmas Day Ramble

All the presents are unwrapped & now taking some time to enjoy the quiet of Christmas morning. So I thouht I’d check out some of the tweeters, bloggers & facebook people that I follow.

One of the people I follow with @euroskitrips is Mountain_Guides from Chamonix. This morning they had a tweet that was titled - "No Need To Dream of a White Christmas, just go Skiing" Xmas snow conditions in Europe:". So of course I followed the link & there was this article with all the countries listed & snowfalls to date. Here’s a photo from the article & the blurb about Switzerland & Laax in particular.

Switzerland continues to top the list for powder alarms in Europe. Today Vercorin reports a remarkable 90cm (three feet) of new snow, and eight out of the top ten snowfall reports in Europe are in Switzerland. Andermatt-Gotthard claims the most snow in the country with 2.5m (over eight feet), St Moritz has 1.8m (over 6 feet), Laax 168cm (5.6 feet) and Engelberg 165cm (5.5 feet). After Vercorin with 1.6m (5.3 feet), Champoussin on the French border in the Portes du Soleil has had the most snow in the past week with a metre of fresh.

I’ll keep making my turns at Mount Snow & hoping we get some pow to ski on & at the same time hope the snow keeps piling up in Laax. We hit there this March.

Just in case you want to read the whole article here’s a link - http://bit.ly/4t12KA

Posted By Allan Douglas at 10:10 AM

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Here We Sit

Well here we sit in New England & no snow has fallen to speak of.

The temps have been bad for snowmaking & what snow they have cranked out has been rained on. At this point I’m sure that they are looking for any window no matter how small to blow snow. It’ll be the old blow it into piles & hope for little damage on the warm or rainy days. Then a big push it out & open for skiing if they can get enough down. Been there done that. It’s not fun here in NE right now, not for the snowmakers, cause their not working & not for the skiers, cause their not playing.

On the other hand Europe is getting hammered. Most resorts have snow down to 1100m & today Chamonix reports 10cm in the village & still snowing. Of course I checked the Flims/Laax reports & they are getting snow also as this shot from one of the webcams shows.

They have been skiing & riding @ the high elevations for a couple of weeks & with this new snow things will definitely improve. So at least when we go there in March it looks like we’ll have some decent conditions. 

If things here in NE don’t change fairly soon I might have to check into how many air miles I have & take a trip earlier than planned. I’m really tired of looking at brown ground & watching weather reports for that cold weather never mind a snow storm just give us some low temps.

Just waiting to do some turns.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 9:34 AM

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Movember in Chamonix

Had yo put this up.

Thanks to chamonixinsider.com some nice turns on Le Tour in November.

When we were there in March of o8 it was sunny & the skiing was great. 

Posted By Allan Douglas at 8:20 AM

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1st Payment Reminder

Just back from spending a glorious week in N. Truro on the Cape.  Nothing can beat those sunsets over Provincetown.

So, now that our annual Cape vacation is over, we’re seriously turning our thoughts to Flims in March and getting more excited as the days get closer.

This is just a reminder to let you all know that your deposit is due by September 1, 2009.  Deposit should include $500 plus 6% insurance for the entire trip. Fill out the bottom of page two of the flyer and mail that with your check and a copy of your passport.

You can download the flyer at www.euroskitrips.com/Trips/Flims10/Flims10PDF.php

We’ve been watching the Flims video link on our website over and over and are really getting psyched.  Hope to see most of you in March.

Also, if you’re coming up to Mt. Snow, let us know so we can ski together.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call us.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 9:15 AM

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Tour de France & a Wild Bus Ride

Watching todays Tour de France stage brought back a memory of a wild ride in a bus.

We had taken a day trip to Montreaux & did some sight seeing & castle viewing. Before heading back we stopped with friends & had a few brews & some food. Just did manage to catch the train back.

When we got to the town of le Chable where they have a tram that will bring you to the village of Verbier. The tram was closed for the evening but there was one more bus heading up to Verbier so we jumped on.

I think the driver was late for supper or had to meet someone. He drove the climb that was featured in today’s tour like he was driving a sports car not a 40 passenger bus. Believe me those turns you saw in this stage are sharp & at times the nose of the bus hangs out over the edge. After arriving at our hotel in Verbier we had to have a few more brews to calm down.

Now I can look back & laugh & it’s a great memory of skiing in Europe but that evening we were all shaking & trying to calm down.

The next day on the slopes it was all put behind because it was a bluebird day.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 5:44 PM

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Flims/Laax 2010 - Use your Air Miles

Euro Ski Trips announces today that people signing up for the Flims/Laax 2010 ski trip will be able to use air miles for their flight(s). This will help to reduce the overall expense to them for their ski trip to Europe.

For further information contact Euro Ski Trips by email at info@euroskitrips.com or call (413) 634-5372 or go to the contact page here www.euroskitrips.com and enter your information to be kept uptodate on our trips.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 10:42 AM

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Flims/Laax Trip News

Hi Everyone --

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Well, here it is, the “official” flyer for the Flims/Laax 2010 Ski Trip in March.

Use the following link and go to www.euroskitrips.com/Trips/Flims10/Flims10PDF.php Just download the PDF, fill in the bottom portion of page 2, which is the trip application/insurance form, and mail to us along with your deposit and copy of your passport by 9/1/09.

Note:  Please make a second copy of your passport to bring along with you on the trip in case yours is lost.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer.

As always, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email us.

Aufwiedersehen

Allan & Donna
413-634-5372
info@euroskitrips.com

PS     For Dave - It’s going to be ausgetzeitnet!

Posted By Allan Douglas at 3:16 PM

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Flims Numbers by May 1st

We have put the trip for March 2010 to together.

Flims/Laax, Switzerland with an optional extension to Zurich, Switzerland is our destination. We are in the process of putting the flyer & the insurance application together with final numbers & information.

An announcement with all the updated information will go out to all our past travellers by May 1st. At the same time all the information on the web site will be updated & the applications for the trip & insurance will be available to download in PDF format.

We are exploring the possibility of people using their travel miles for the air portion of the trip. That will hopefully be finalized also by the 1st of May.

Stay Tuned!

Posted By Allan Douglas at 5:27 PM

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12inches and Still Snowing

Well according to The Attitash Mountain News they got hammered from this last storm so, things are looking good for the March trip.

Things have come together nicely for our jaunt north & east to New Hampshire. We have people showing up starting Thursday others getting there late Sunday & the last of us will depart on the next Thursday. In between we will be turning them on Attitash with a planned venture up to The Cat on Wednesday. Of course there will be socializing, eating, some drinking & general fun making with a bunch of friends & relatives. It should be an awsome time. I’ll be right back.

OK I’m back, after typing the above I figured I better go do some exercise this trip could require being in shape I know there’s a couple of turn rippers in this group & I don’t want to be in tne snow off their tails. I won’t be able to enjoy the view.

We also have started the process for going across the pond next year. I have been watching the Word Cup races on US Network & I have to admit I’m going to miss those Alps or Dolomites this year.

Presently we are looking at Flims/Laax in Switzerland for 2010 with a couple of days on the end in Zurich. Stay tuned we’ll keep you posted.

Gotta go do some squats now.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 2:28 PM

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Off the Webcams

This morning I was browsing some of the web sites of ski areas we have been to in the last few years and pulled a few shots off the webcams at some of them.

It seems today most of the ski areas were getting some snow.

I still have a link from Cortina for their snow reports & they have been getting a lot of snow. They are reporting 270cm on Tofana & 170cm at Socrepes which, is the first pic. The snow on the roofs downtown is the most I have seen since I have been checking the webcams which has been for the last 3 years. The webcams for Cortina are at - www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortina.

This Shot is dowtown Chamonix overlooking the Place Balmat. Normally you could see the mountains in the background but, not today.

I could use a chocolate crepe right about now. I think the shop is just down the street on the right. I’ll be right back. Well that was good.

The next shot is also Cham looking up towards the main church, the Maison de la Montagne (guide office, ski-school, + High-mountain office) is to the right of the church & again no Alps in the background where they should be. Cam link is - www.chamonet.com.

I had to check out one more place so off I went to the north western part of Italia & zoomed 3 - 4 hours, & a memorable bus trip, north of Milan to Bormio. This is such a great town & the mountain is a blast to play on. 

This shot is from Bormio 3000 which is the top. Looking down from here you just want to let’em rip but watch out it’s steep & a real long ride. I tried to get a view from another spot called Bormio 2000 but, it was below the clouds in this shot.

I was just checking to see if I could get that view from Bormio 200 & look what they did during the day today. Snow down the main pedestrian way called The Via Roma and with 2 great tracks for some kick & glide action. Ya gotta love that thinking. Also notice the people not walking all over the tracks, now that’s courtesy. The cams for Bormio are at www.bormio.it.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 2:43 PM

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Seven n Three

Most of our European ski trips include seven days at the chosen resort for that year & then three days of visiting a European city on the way home. We like this format because it gives you a chance to slow down after the hustle of the ski week. Also you can fly home on a Monday or Tuesday which is much easier than the crush on a Saturday.

We try to pick a city that is easy to reach on the way home so that we don’t add a lot of extra travel cost but, we also want to visit interesting destinations. Some of the places we have been to include Paris, Amsterdam (2 times), Milan & Salzburg.

You don’t have to do the add on trip on the way home but most of our travelers do choose to make that part of their itinerary. They enjoy the idea of carousing around a city, visiting one or two famous attractions or just finding a nice street cafe and taking in the European ambiance.

Posted By Allan Douglas at 11:12 AM

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