Europe
Hannes Schneider knew skiing paradise when he saw it. The Arlberg is truly where it all began The place that ignited Herr Schneider’s passion over a century ago continues to inspire us today. Not just us, we started guiding here 20 years back, but for everybody. Everything we love about skiing has been coalescing here, coming together all these years, creating the quintessential Austrian skiing experience.
The 87 lifts forming Ski Arlberg may just be the greatest on the planet. Connecting exciting St. Anton, charming St. Christoph and tranquil Stuben to exquisite, refined Zurs and its elegant neighbor Lech, there is ever more to explore.
Everything keeps getting better, each year investments in ski infrastructure continue. The highly anticipated new 8-pack gondola, the Albona 1 lift direct from the village of Stuben is a perfect example. As for the skiing, well, the multitude of couloirs along the Schindlergrat, the vast North face of Hokar and the Maroikopf’s sensational summit are just a few of the boundless possibilities all culminating at the very spirited Après-ski scene. Add to this a food and wine culture which honors tradition while embracing all things modern, a place where Wienerschnitzel and Apfelstudel are just the beginning.
Our connections in the Arlberg make the week here so special. Friendships we have forged both on and off the mountain have helped us discover the region’s best skiing, staying and dining. From the perfect continental breakfast until you are tucked into bed under a cozy down comforter, we literally have it all covered.
If you dream of skiing in Austria, you’ve come to the right place.
Our dates for next winter;
Saturday January 13- Saturday January 20, 2024
Self-guided departures available from mid December through March
SATURDAY, JanUARY 13 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024
Enjoy a thrilling week of skiing in Austria’s famed Arlberg region. We will base first out of all important St. Anton and finish the week in tiny and fabulous Stuben am Arlberg.
Day 1: January 13th St. Anton Am Arlberg: Meet for drinks and dinner in Pepi’s Ski Hotel in St. Anton Am Arlberg. This is an easy approach from Zurich or Innsbruck by train. Private van transfers as well as bus service are also available from both airports. We gladly help with travel arrangements.
Day 2: January 14th Rendl: The Rendl ski station is steps away from our hotel in the center of St. Anton and makes a great start for the week. Breathtaking scenery and lots of north facing terrain provide a sure-fire bet for great skiing. One of our favorite routes here over the Rendlsharte ends up far below St. Anton.
Day 3: January 15th St. Christoph: Skiing out directly of the hotel, we will work our way towards St. Christoph, where we take the perfect Apfel Strudel and coffee break in authentic Hozpizalm. Our afternoon will be spent exploring historic off-piste terrain above St. Anton before delving into the even more legendary apres-ski scene in town.
Day 4: January 16th Hokar: A wild atmosphere combined with a magnificent north facing ski run form an off-piste mega classic! This route has all the best St. Anton has to offer, right down to the to a traditional alpine picnic high above the valley!
Day 5: January 17th Ski to Stuben am Arlberg: An epic day features the possibility of skiing off the Valluga peak itself. A short hike after the 2 stages of the famous Vallugabahn brings us to the highest summit in the area. Ski more north facing terrain before finally catching the new Flexenbahn gondola and a last run to our new village of Stuben am Arlberg.
Day 6: January 18th Lech/Zurs: No trip to the Arlberg would be complete without an excursion to Lech. We will expedite things with a quick van ride to Zurs itself and spend the morning touring in the vicinity of the Madlochbahnn, en route to Lech. After another tour from tiny Zug, we then ski to Lech in time to enjoy the sophisticated side of Apres-ski in that beautiful village.
Day 7: January 19th Kaltenberg: This is worthy objective to finish out the week. From the lift system in Stuben we head out and up. The Kaltenberg is one of the highest peaks in the area and holds great snow on the remnant of an ancient glacier. We will plan on returning by way of the Krackel ridge with a very long ski to the village of Langen!
Day 8: January 20th Departure: Same day flights from Zurich and Innsbruck can be met, we are happy to help with these arrangements. Or even better, continue on with us to Kolsters, Switzerland! Ask us about a significant discount for the two trips combined.
TRIP INCLUDES:
7 nights hotel, 4 in St. Anton and 3 in Stuben am Arlberg
6 days lift tickets
Dinner and breakfast daily
6 days ski guiding with some of the most capable, thoughtful and caring guides around
* Use of backpack, avalanche beacon, probe and shovel, as well as the basics of their use to safely access the boundless ‘off-piste’ ski terrain.
* All of the fun we can possibly pack into a week of skiing. Our goal is to not miss a thing. We ski the best snow while soaking in monstrous views. We stay in excellent hotels, family run for generations with every detail accounted for. We will sip little-known but excellent Austrian wines, perfectly dialed to accompany delicious cuisine. From waking up to the ample ‘continental’ breakfast buffet to celebrating the skiing with a hearty Apres-ski, everything we do is done with authenticity and quality in mind.
Klosters/Davos A Perfect Swiss Ski Week
Fondue matters! Look forward to a refined and elegant ski trip based out of tiny Klosters, Switzerland. Skiing here features 6 unique mountains connected by trams, trains and countless ski lifts all on 1 lift ticket. Everything is consistently exciting with endless off-piste opportunities that never disappoint.
Hans Castorp, the hero of Thomas Mann’s ‘The Magic Mountain’ discovered the joy of skiing in the valleys surrounding Davos and Klosters way back in the early 1900’s. Winter sport here has gotten better ever since. At near 6000 ft elevation, the village of Klosters stands in rarified air. This means crisp, beautiful mornings and goes a long way to ensure good snow. In fact, during our fifteen seasons here we have experienced great skiing, year after year.
A classic Alpenglow day might begin riding the two-stage Gotschnabahn tram out of the village. Next, ski through the timeless Parsenn area to access the sensational off-piste terrain near the sharp summit of the Seekofel. After lunching at a true mountain chalet we wrap up the ski day with a very long run all the way to the village of Kublis.
Spending the week in fashionable and dignified Klosters makes for an unforgettable experience. The ski village has been a haunt of celebrities since the area was first built. From the graceful Gene Kelly in the 1950’s to the young Prince and Princess of Wales in the 1980’s this place has always attracted adventurous and spirited people.
Our dates for next winter;
Saturday January 27-Saturday February 3, 2024
Self-guided departures are possible from January through March, 2024.
Saturday January 27-Saturday February 3, 2024
Itinerary for and unforgettable week-long excursion in the heart of Switzerland.
DAY 1 January 27th Gotschanbahn: The Gotschnabahn is the principal tram rising from the center of the village itself. Today we will explore the legendary terrain of the Parsenn, slopes that put Klosters on the map from the early stages of skiing as we know it today.
DAY 2 January 28th Pischa: A short train transfer (included with the ski pass) takes us to the Pisha ski area. This special place is well known for open slopes and a wild atmosphere. We will have the opportunity to ski far from the beaten path today.
DAY 3 January 29th Jacobshorn: Another quick train transfer takes us finally to Davos and the renown Jacobshorn. Ski up 4000 ft. of vertical from the lift system here and a highlight will be to ski the backside of the resort to the hamlet of Teufi. After a fantastic lunch we return by post bus to Davos and ski all the way back to Klosters.
DAY 4 January 30th Arosa/Lenzerheide: Taking the Klosters lift system to its highest point, the view from the Weissfluhgipfel at 2844 meters, over 9,000 ft. is remarkable. We plan to ski through the Hauptertalli to another unforgettable lunch in the 400-year-old ‘Hiemli’. Then continue on skiing past several ancient villages until we reach Langwies, where a train takes us back to Klosters or even on to neighboring Arosa. This is a true ski safari!
DAY 5 January 31st Madrisa: Our goal is to ski the Madrisa today. This is the local friendly area above Klosters Dorf. After exploring all that Madrisa has to offer we cross the Ratschenjoch and ski north to the village of St. Antonien, just shy of the Austrian border.
DAY 6 February 1st Parsenn: No week in Klosters could be complete without skiing the magnificent “Parsennabfahrt”, this most classic descent counts 6000 ft and well over ten miles! After an afternoon ‘Gluhwein’ in tiny Conters, we finish all the way down valley in the village of Kublis. Return to Klosters by train.
DAY 7 February 2nd Departure: Same day flights out of Zurich can be met after the ski week. It will also be possible to add more ski days, based on what you would like to do!
This itinerary represents just some of many possibilities in the Davos/Klosters region. The lift ticket comprises 5 major areas! Our guides will orchestrate each day based on snow conditions, weather and our guests desires.
*Zurich is an excellent city to add night on the end of the trip as well.
TRIP INCLUDES:
7 nights in the Chesa Grischuna, Klosters Platz, Switzerland.
6 days lift tickets Davos/Klosters
Dinner and breakfast daily.
6 days ski guiding with some of the most capable, thoughtful and caring guides around.
* Use of backpack, avalanche beacon, probe and shovel, as well as the basics of their use to safely access the boundless ‘off-piste’ ski terrain.
* All of the fun we can possibly pack in to week of skiing. Our goal is to not miss a thing. We ski the best snow while soaking in monstrous views. We stay in an excellent hotel, family run for generations with every detail accounted for. We will sip little-known but excellent Swiss wines, perfectly dialed to accompany delicious cuisine. From waking up to the ample ‘continental’ breakfast buffet to celebrating the skiing with a hearty Apres-ski, everything we do is done with authenticity and quality in mind.
Panorama ski week in French Savoie/Val d’ Isere
Think big, grand, huge! In the French mountains, the Savoie, things are just massive. There is nothing like our ski trip through the Tarantaise valley to the hanging glacial village of Val d’ Isere.
Starting in tiny Sainte Foy, we launch out to fabled Les Arcs and La Plagne, taking in the wide open slopes and wider-ranging views. A day following Hannibal’s elephant tracks across the Petit Col St. Bernard leads us into Italy to enjoy a proper alpine lunch replete with Cappuccino.
Our transfer day to Val d’ Isere is a true ski safari, traversing the breadth of the renowned ‘Espace Killy’ from Tignes to incomparable Val d’ Isere itself.
The Savoie region takes your culinary experience very seriously. The greatness of Tartiflette has been known for centuries. Raclette and Fondue are tradition here as well. Maybe even better, the Beaufort is a perfect mountain cheese, and accompanies all charcuterie plates. We are also very close to the Bourgogne, so the flow of excellent Burgundy wines is certain!
Our timing in early April is set up to enjoy the full season’s worth of snow accumulation. Of course, the many giant glaciers keep the snow cold up high. The terrain offers us boundless opportunity. Fun couloir skiing from the summit of La Foglietta, the glacier run off Grand Motte and dipping into the Parc National de la Vanoise are Alpenglow classics.
Our dates for next winter;
Saturday April 6-Saturday April 13, 2024
This trip can also be arranged self-guided from middle December through April!
April 6-13, 2024
An Epic Week In Val D’ Isere
Day 1: April 6th, Arrive Geneva: Transfer to the Isere Valley in the Department of Savioe. The beautiful approach drive is just over two hours and continually intriguing. After a brief stop in Bourg St. Maurice, we arrive in the ancient farming village of St. Foy Tarantaise. Drinks and dinner at our hotel, Le Monal.
Day 2: April 7th, St. Foy Station: A perfect warm up day at the local favorite St. Foy Station. A short ride above the village brings us to this authentic and friendly ski area. After skiing the great terrain on the area, we head out on our first tour. An introductory climb to the nearby Pointe de Foglietta. Now, depending on the snow conditions, we make a looping ski descent either to the Northwest all the way down to St. Foy village or by a fantastic run to the south passing through our hotel’s namesake village, Le Monal. Then returning to the St. Foy station and the trips premiere apre-ski! A great start.
Day 3: April 8th, Les Arcs: Famed Les Arcs is easily accessible from our base village of St. Foy. We begin by riding the big tram to the over-arching vista-point of the area, the Aiguille Rouge. From here views across the Italian Aoste Valley and the Monte Rosa itself are possible! Next ski through the Grand Col and climb up toward the glacier and the summit of the tremendously beautiful Mount Pourri before making an absolute classic off-piste descent all the way back to where we started, charming Villaroger.
Day 4: April 9th La Rossiere/La Thuile, Italy: To ski across the Petite St. Bernard pass into Italy for lunch is an early highlight of our trip! After a stunningly pretty 20-minute drive on backroads high above the valley we reach La Rossiere, the French side of the interconnect. Our day of skiing takes advantage of much wide-open terrain as we ski from basin to basin working our way to the Italian boarder. After a proper lunch in Italy, taking the close in views of Mount Blanc we make the most of the return by exploring the varied and scenically engaging terrain that is just plain fun to ski all the way back to La Rossiere.
Day 5: April 10th, Val d’ Isere: Time to transfer up valley to Val d’ Isere itself! Starting our ski day directly from the center of town and our very conveniently located hotel, we ride the Solaise lift in search of powder. The off-piste run of Le Haute Cugnai never disappoints and leads us to one of our favorite mountain restaurants, catering only to back-country skiers. The Afternoon is spent on the Bellvarde face, well known for its Olympic history.
Day 6: April 11th, Tignes: Today we set out for Tignes and the mighty the Grand Motte. This is a bucket list type of a European ski day. Everything from old school triple lifts, t-bars and even an underground funicular bring us to the main tram! The terrain of this lift is spectacular in every way and makes a perfect day’s outing from our base in Val d’ Isere.
Day 7: April 12th, Le Gran Vale: Always striving to save the best for last we head out above the village of Le Fornet. After a fun loop route through the Grand Pissailles, we sneak through the Col Pers before skiing the big vertical of the legendary ‘Great Vale’. A proper apre-ski in Val d’ Isere center rounds out the day before our final dinner in the Village.
Day 8: April 13th Depart: Late morning flights out of Geneva can be met but even better to spend a night or two in this wonderful city in what is a lovely and uncrowded time. We are happy to help with any arrangements!
TRIP INCLUDES:
Private transfer from Geneva to St. Foy on Saturday April 6 (or 13)
7 nights hotels, 4 in St. Foy and 3 in Val d’ Isere.
6 days lift tickets
Dinner and breakfast daily.
6 days ski guiding with some of the most capable, thoughtful and caring guides around.
* Use of backpack, avalanche beacon, probe and shovel, as well as the basics of their use to safely access the boundless ‘off-piste’ ski terrain.
* All of the fun we can possibly pack into week of skiing. Our goal is to not miss a thing. We ski the best snow while soaking in monstrous views. We stay in excellent hotels, family run for generations with every detail accounted for. We will sip little-known but excellent Savoie wines, perfectly dialed to accompany delicious cuisine. From waking up to the ample ‘continental’ breakfast buffet to celebrating the skiing with a hearty Apres-ski, everything we do is done with authenticity and quality in mind.