Ski Courmayeur - Solo Week

Transfer - Approx 1 hours 15 minutes
Provisional flight times -
GATWICK
09/01/11       Gatwick to Geneva          Dep: 06:30    Arr: 09:10
16/01/11       Geneva to Gatwick          Dep: 10:20    Arr: 11:00

MANCHESTER
09/01/11       Manchester to Geneva     Dep: 08:00    Arr: 11:00
16/01/11       Geneva to Manchester     Dep: 11:40    Arr: 12:40

BIRMINGHAM
09/01/11       Birmingham to Geneva     Dep: 08:25    Arr: 11:20
16/01/11       Geneva to Birmingham     Dep: 12:20    Arr: 13:15

EDINBURGH
09/01/11       Edinburgh to Geneva        Dep: 08:20    Arr: 11:35
16/01/11       Geneva to Edinburgh        Dep: 12:20    Arr: 13:15

A first for Spice UK - A weeks' skiing and all rooms sole occupancy!

After the success of recent sunshine holidays offering single occupancy rooms we have extended this concept to one of our skiing holidays for 2011. For anyone who has been on a ski trip with us before the format is still the same with a Spice coordinator still travelling with the group, the only difference is that all rooms will be for just one person!

Lovely and leisurely. With great snow, varied terrain, fabulous scenery and plenty of time for lunch, Courmayeur takes a very Italian approach to skiing. The resort has an excellent snow record, backed up with a very impressive snow-making system and a very efficient lift system, including a new gondola and a fast four man chairlift.

The ski area has a varied selection of easy and intermediate runs liberally sprinkled with welcoming huts, each with its own panoramic sundeck and spectacular view. At the top of the cable car is the nursery area for beginners as well as the ski shop where skis and boots can be left overnight. For stronger skiers the possibilities are endless, with famous off-piste runs such as the Vallee Blanche into Chamonix, the Toula Glacier in the shadow of Mont Blanc and access to some of the best value heli-skiing in Europe (with a mountain guide).

The Vallee Blanche descent into Chamonix is outstanding and one that you'll never forget. Thrilling off-piste skiing and stunning scenery make this a truly memorable experience. However, in Courmayeur, skiing is only half the story. Lunches are long and early evenings are spent strolling around the cobbled streets and chic shops, or sitting over a drink in the via Roma, enjoying Italian lifestyle at its most stylish.

With plenty of Italian style and flourish and an intimate feel, the Cristallo is a lovely chalethotel in the heart of Courmayeur amongst the shops, bars and restaurants. The main cable car is 5 minutes away by foot and skis and boots can be conveniently left in lockers on the slopes. Inside the Cristallo stone floors are covered with big rugs, the walls are panelled with carved wood and the antique furniture gives the hotel a warm elegant feel.

Ski Hosting
The Mark Warner ski hosts know the resort inside out and will help find the best conditions and shortest lift queues. Hosting is available on 5 days during the week and is not suitable for beginners. The ski hosting facility is on a first come basis and is always very popular with Spice members so it may not be possible to accommodate everyone on everyday.

Spice UK Skiing Ability Scale
To help members with their selection of resort, with the assistance of one of our long standing members we have created the following Ski Ability Scale.
Level 1 – Courmayeur is not really a suitable resort for those new to skiing.
1) First time skier, totally new to the sport (Beginner)
Level 2~10 – Courmayeur has plenty of variety for every skier from beginner plus upwards.
2) Second week skier OR has had lessons at snow dome and/or dry ski slopes (Beginner Plus)
3) skied a few weeks and happy on green and blue runs (Lower Intermediate)4) Skiing parallel on blues and starting to tackle reds (Intermediate)
5) Okay on reds and starting to tackle blacks (Upper Intermediate)
6) Can get down blacks, but struggles on bumps (Lower Advanced)
7) Happy on most groomed blacks and easy bumps, but finds steep bumps and off piste tricky (Advanced)
8) Can ski all bar steepest bumps and ski off poste with style except with deep powder and in poor snow conditions (Upper Advanced)
9) No problems: can ski everywhere in all manner of snow conditions (Expert)
10) Professional skier, instructor, freerider etc
Snowboarders - As there are very few flat bits this is an ideal resort for you! There is also excellent off piste snowboarding to test your skills.

Please see the Mark Warner Booking Conditions
The Tour Operator is Mark Warner (Atol 1176), for whom we act as an agent, and their Terms and Conditions of booking apply as per their Brochure.  Your money is protected via our Trust Account, in accordance with EC Travel Regulations.