LRNSC TRIP TO COGNE, 29 JANUARY – 6 FEBRUARY 2017

Cross country skiing trip for LRNSC members to:  Explore tracks in the area of the in Italy  Take part in the Marcia Gran Paradiso race(s) if you wish (Euroloppet races) - this is the only Club trip in 2017 with a race.

This trip is for London Region Nordic Ski Club members only so you will need to join the Club if you are not already a member. NB. This trip is not suitable for beginners. (If in doubt about suitability, talk to the trip organiser)

DATE AND LOCATION Sunday 29 January – Monday 6 February 2017 – Cogne, Italy Hotel du Grand Paradis & Spa La Baita http://www.hoteldugrandparadis.com/en/

 Hotel is centrally located in Cogne and close to the ski tracks  Space available for waxing skis  Heated ski room  free Wi-Fi  Buffet breakfast with hot and cold dishes, sweet and savoury  Dinner served at Sant’Orso (60 metres away from Gran Paradis hotel - http://www.hotelsantorso.com/en/)  Dinner is a 4 course classical Italian style menu with antipasto, first dish, main dish and dessert  Hotel is happy to suggest typical Italian and Valley dishes  Hotel has offered to help with any particular dietary request for the race  Water and cover charge included. Wine, coffee and other extras not included

HOTEL PRICES Hotel du Grand Paradis & Spa La Baita

Double/twin room: Euro 70 per person per night half board (£55) Double Room for single use: Euro 105 per person per night half board (£82) Single room: Euro 90 per person per night half board (only 3 single rooms now all taken) Dinner to be served at the Hotel Sant’Orso

For 8 nights this equates to about £440 per person in a double/twin or £565/£660 for a single. (Note: £ prices will depend on exchange rate, above based on rates as of 15/06/2016)

Euro 150 deposit required by mid November – payable direct to hotel No penalty if cancel 1 month before. 70% if cancel 2 weeks before 100% if cancel within 2 weeks of arrival

FLIGHTS You will need to book your own flights once your place on the trip is confirm and these are the recommended flights:

09:40 – 12:25 LHR – (Sunday 29 Jan) British Airways - outbound 17:50 – 18:55 Geneva – LHR (Monday 6 Feb) British Airways - return OUTBOUND Make sure any flight you book gives you time (2 hours after scheduled arrival to allow for late arrival/baggage collection) - be ready to meet at 2:30 pm, Coach departs at 3pm.

RETURN FLIGHT Any flight after 5pm. DO NOT BOOK a flight before 5pm.

We will leave Cogne on the Monday morning, after breakfast, to arrive Geneva airport in ample time to catch flights after 5pm. It is expected to be less than a 3 hour transfer, however depending on weather and road conditions on the day, we may need to leave extra time, so please do not book a return flight leaving before 5pm.

TRANSFER By Club coach from Geneva airport. Meet at 2:30pm to leave airport at 3pm. Transfer time approx. 2.5 hours.

Note: if travelling independently and hiring a car in Switzerland, you must check you can take the car into the EU (France/Italy). If hiring in Geneva, note that the cost to use the Mont Blanc tunnel is approx. £50 return.

It is possible to travel independently to Cogne by public transport – contact the trip organiser for further details if you are unable to join the group transfer.

Note: there is no refund on the initial deposit of £175 if not taking the Club transfer.

COACHING/INSTRUCTION Coaching/instruction will be provided over 5 days (excluding travel days and excluding race days).

RACING The Marcia Gran Paradiso is the series of cross country ski races held in Cogne in February. As of 2016, these are now part of the Euroloppet series of races. The races in 2017 are as follows:

 Thursday, 3 February : FT (25 km and 45 km)  Sunday, 5 February: Classic (25 km and 45 km)

Further details of the races can be found on the following links: http://www.marciagranparadiso.it/ http://www.euroloppet.com/home.html

Note: You MUST have a valid note from your doctor confirming that you are fit to take part in competitive cross country ski racing. This MUST be presented prior to participation.

Worth noting that in 2016, there were discounts available for Euroloppet passport holders and for introducing a friend new to this Euroloppet race. If interested in racing, please advise the trip organiser, so we can firm up on what discounts might be available for 2017.

Formal registration should be completed directly either on-line or through the race office.

OTHER COSTS Loipe pass € 35 for the week (to be arranged locally) Ski hire Ski hire can be arranged in the village

GROUP ORGANISATION There will be briefing/ Q&A sessions in the hotel each evening where arrangements for the next day will be given, along with setting rough times for breakfast and dinner, and meeting to depart for the day’s coaching. Coaches will work together on course content/route planning etc.

HOW TO BOOK: 1. Complete the online form and receive an acknowledgement from the organiser Glennis Dore. 2. Pay your deposit of £175 by 31st August 2016 to secure your place on the trip - cheques should be made payable to “LRNSC” and sent to the trip organiser who will provide her address. This covers coaching and transfer - no refund available if making alternative transfer arrangements. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. You will also need to book your own flights once your place on the trip is confirmed. 3. Pay a Euro 150 deposit for your accommodation directly to the hotel by mid- November - the trip organiser will provide details of how to pay this.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - OTHER ACTIVITIES Cogne is located in the Gran Paradiso National Park. There are a number of other activities in the area for those not wishing to Nordic ski or to take a day off:  Downhill skiing  Ice climbing  Ruisseling (walking along narrow stream valleys which, during winter, freeze to form small icefalls and natural ramps)  Snowshoeing  Winter walking  Ice skating

Possible trips further afield (transport required – check public bus timetables below) include:  : Take a ride up the Skyway with views over Mont Blanc and the Vallee Blanche.  Pre Saint Didier spa (near Courmayeur)  Aosta (ancient Roman town)  Chamonix (through the Mont Blanc tunnel)

Tourist information: http://www.lovevda.it/en/sport/cross-country-skiing/cogne http://www.cogneturismo.it/it/homepage

Euroloppet race details: http://www.marciagranparadiso.it/ http://www.euroloppet.com/home.html

Local bus timetables http://www.savda.it/ http://www.svap.it/it/ Trip Organiser: Glennis Dore ([email protected] 27 July 2016 - Cogne Trip v2