Ski-Away Get-Away Chamonix, France February 27Th - March 8Th, 2020 Organized by Ski-Away,Inc

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Ski-Away Get-Away Chamonix, France February 27th - March 8th, 2020 Organized by Ski-Away,inc. & Girls’ Guide to Paris (Revised 9.1.19)

A European Ski Vacation of a Lifetime in Chamonix!

Thursday, February 27th: Fly to Geneva arriving early/mid-day on Friday, 2/28/20.

Friday, February 28th: After landing in Geneva, we’ll depart for our first night in Annecy (~1 hour drive from Geneva). NOTE: for those traveling before February 27, we will convene at the Geneva Airport (location & details tbd)

Lunch… we’ll have a snack along the way or grab a bite in Annecy. Arrive in Annecy and check into the Imperial Palace hotel (seen above) ~4pm. Time to rest and relax. Deluxe spa services available for an extra charge.

Friday, February 28th: (continued) 7pm: Champagne welcome 8pm: Dinner at our hotel in their gastronomic restaurant. Afterwards, Try your hand at the craps table in the hotel casino for those who’d want to imbibe!

Saturday, February 29th: 7:00-10:30am Breakfast buffet in hotel dining room 11:00am check-out & departure from hotel 11:30am tour of Annecy & have a hearty bistro lunch in the old town.

Afternoon ~ wander the old town and then continue our drive to Chamonix (approx. 2 hours)

Saturday, February 29th: (continued) 5:30/6:00pm: Check into hotel, the Jeu de Paume in Lavancher. We will have both, singles with double beds and shared rooms with twin beds available to you. At the hotel we have a large indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, a hammam (Turkish steam bath), as well as, a separate Chalet just for us! Massages available upon request for an extra charge.

8:00/8:30pm: Dinner (location tbd)

Sunday, March 1st – Friday, March 6th ~ GET READY TO SKI! We will use the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass during our British Alpine School stay which will give us access to all ski resorts. Following breakfast, we will depart for the slopes for a full day with our private Mountain Guides & Instructors.

Each day, will have 4 Guides &/or Instructors who will provide the ski and safety skills needed for big mountain skiing as we will explore both piste & off-piste (groomed & ungroomed) at several of the local resorts. Daily lo- cales will be selected based on weather, snow condi- tions, and visibility, balanced with group preferences. On an easy sunny day, we might head over to the wide-open bowls of Balme or the south-facing slopes of Brèvent-Flégère. If we are on the hunt an off-piste challenge, Les Grands Montets will welcome us! Snow and clouds in the forecast… let’s make our way up to Les Houches with their long, tree-lined forest runs. Quaint lunch spots will be found on mountain where we will sample the local Savoie specialties of the region.

After our day on the mountain, it’s time for après-ski! Whether at the hotel or at the base of the mountain ~ ~ we’ll switch up the offerings and locations each day. Some days we’ll have a spread set up in the bar and lounge of the hotel and other nights we’ll be set up in our private petite chalet. You may also enjoy the pool and spa at our hotel during this down time.

Get ready for the Chamonix ski life! We’ll have amazing views and equally amazing snow ~ All within 30 minutes of our hotel!

Sunday, March 1st: Ski Day #1 Dinner will be at our hotel in their charming Rosebud Restaurant (photos above).

Monday, March 2nd: Ski Day#2

Dinner tonight will be at La Caleche see above. This charming old school place dates back to 1946 and is a “must” for the traditional Savoyard meal. We’ll savor raclette, fondue, quenelles and tartiflettes (a rich traditional potato dish made with lardon and reblechon cheese). YUMMY!

Tuesday, March 3rd: Ski Day #3

Dinner: La Remise, a well- regarded modern French restaurant specializing in aged beef in the nearby town of Argentiere. (photo at right is of our private ski chalet within the grounds of the hotel)

Wednesday, March 4th: WOW for Wednesday! Today you have an option to take the day off with us to explore –or- continue your daily ski routine with our Mountain Guides.

Day off Option: Your down day need not be “blah” ~ ~ we’ll include a dog-sledding experience followed by a relaxing lunch, massage*, and an afternoon soaking at one of the most beautiful spas in the region. There is nothing like soaking outside in winter. See photos at the end of the brochure. * The spa experience is an additional 100 euros which includes lunch and a 50 minute massage.

Ski Day #4 Option: There will be a group trekking off to another of the Chamonix Valley resorts with a Mountain Guide. There will also be a guided group heading up the Aiguille du Midi cable car to ski the Vallée Blanche. NOTE: Advanced reservations will be required for the Vallée Blanche day. An additional cost of ~$200 will be paid for by the guest. Due to weather, we may do this adventure during an alternate day of the week.

More on the VALLÉE BLANCHE… Skiing the famous Vallée Blanche in Chamonix is a bucket list adventure! It is an off-piste ski route 20 km (12+miles) long with a vertical descent of 2700m (almost 9,000ft) along the largest glaci- ated domain in the Alps, the Mont Blanc massif. This run is accessed from the top of the Aiguille Du Midi cable car and winds down to the Mer De Glace (Sea of Ice.) The views are amazing and the routes vary based on the ability of the ski group. Our group will be led by a cre- dentialed High Mountain Guide and will opt for the “Classic Route” for our descent.

Dinner: On Wednesday night we are going to relax at our hotel and have a pizza party!

Thursday, March 5th: Ski Day #5

Dinner at La Cabane, a charming and chic French cabin in nearby Les Praz, with a very stylish interior, a roaring fire and exquisite French food offering everything from wild boar to scallops from Brittany.

Friday, March 6th: Ski Day #6

After skiing and après refreshments, we might head into Chamonix on the early side for a little last minute souvenir shopping.

Friday, March 6th: (continued) Tonight is our last so, we’ll do it up in style! We’ll first head to the Moö Bar with excellent après-ski offerings as well as the valley’s only serve yourself beer taps. (Flirting with the boys is encouraged!)

Tonight, we’ll dine at the superb Munchie where Swedish sensibility intersects with Asian and French cuisine. It’s considered the best in town however, the atmosphere remains casual.

After, we’ll head out to a pirate-themed bar, which sounds hokey but isn’t and we’ll end the night dancing at Amnesia; the preferred club in town. Can’t handle such a late night? For those burnt out ladies, we’ll have one van leaving early. Get ready to PARTY!

Saturday, March 7th: Check-out of Jeu de Paume at 10am after breakfast.

Drive into Chamonix. Ascend the Aiguille du Midi (Needle of the Mid-Day) cable car and the elevator within the rock up to the highest accessible visitor point to view Mont Blanc. At the top, we’ll learn about the history of European alpinism, the construction of this impressive site, and have an opportunity to “Step into the Void” (if you’re brave!)

Enjoy lunch in Chamonix and a visit to Charlie Adam’s gallery, “Alp Chic” (a.k.a. Secret Base #2) and learn more about the talented group of artists behind the campy designs and advertising used by many international resorts. Continue on to Geneva through the Haute Savoie region.

Saturday, March 7th: (continued) We arrive in Geneva in the late-afternoon where we’ll stay our last night at the Hotel des Alpes in central Geneva. After loading our bags in, those who want to, may head out to see the Palais des Nations and then to the old town for shopping and tea with Doni. Picking up some Swiss chocolate wouldn’t be a bad idea!

Tonight we’ll dine at Les Armures, an old historic cafe in Geneva in the picturesque old town where you’ll be able to sample some classic, traditional Swiss fare

Sunday, March 8th: After our breakfast, we’ll head to Geneva Airport and say our sad goodbyes. But, our French memories and new friends made will certainly last a lifetime.

More photos… The gorgeous indoor pool at our Chamonix hotel

The chalet-chic rooms at our hotel, Jeu de Paume

NOTE: Trip Itinerary is subject to tweaks based upon weather, reservation availability, and number of guests.

The Mont Blanc massif ~ our mountain playground…

What’s included: Everything you see in the itinerary above. All trans- portation in country, premium lodging, all meals and a glass of wine or champagne with dinner, après-ski nosh each day, all lift tickets and ski instruction/guides. Also included is spa entry in Annecy. Dog sledding is included for those who choose this activity instead of skiing on Wednesday. Our bespoke arrival gifts from Ski-Away and Girls’ Guide to Paris.

What’s not included: Your international airfare from the US to Geneva. Equipment rentals & tuning/waxing services (please inquire with Lezlie for pricing and reservations). Additional spa services like massages on the first night and at our Chamonix hotel will be extra. On Wednesday, the spa experience is an additional 100 euros which includes lunch and a 50-minute massage. Advanced reservations required for the Vallée Blanche day on Wednesday are at an additional cost of ~$200. (please inquire with Lezlie for final pricing and reservations, possible cost savings can be realized, we’ve given you the worst case scenario prices) On our last night out, the first cocktails are on us and then afterwards everyone may buy a round!

WHERE IN THE WORLD The Chamonix valley is situated in the NW part of the Alps, just a few miles from both the Swiss and Italian borders. Very few places match the beauty of this valley which is situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and the famous Aiguille du Midi. The Alps have a deep ski history and the Chamonix Valley was the host of the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924. Noted for its rugged environment, many big mountain skiers and free-riders call Chamonix home. Don’t be surprised if you cross paths with the “Bliz- zard of Aahhh’s” star, Glen Plake!

CHAMONIX, FRANCE BY THE NUMBERS: 13 ski resorts and 9 villages Average annual snowfall = 429 inches Longest Run = 13-miles long Valle Blanche Chamonix has 14 bars, 80 restaurants, and 7 nightclubs! Skiing/ Mountain Resort Stats: Ski Lifts (Lifts run from 9:00am – 4:30/5:00pm Top Elevation/Lift: 3,842m/ 12,678′ Total Lifts: 49 (with Cham Ski Pass) Base Elevation: 1035m/ 3,415′ Gondolas/cable cars: 13 Vertical Drop: 2807m/ 9,263′ Chair lifts: 13 Longest Run: 21km/ 13 miles Surface lifts: 19 Total Runs: 170km/ 106 miles

Total Trails: 145 Beginner: 23% Early-March Temperatures: ~25°F Intermediate:31% Advanced: 33% Expert: 13% ______Trip Pricing:

TRIP REGISTRATION available at: www.skiaway.net (under dropdown menu “Ski-Away Get-Away TRIPS/Chamonix”). Registration will open 2/18/19 at 6:00pmCST.

February 18 – April 17, 2019: VIP Early-Bird pricing for Ski-Away Members, Instructors, & their friends! Pricing is $7,195 (single occupancy/double bed). If you prefer to share a room (2 twin beds), you and your roomie will each save $600 on the overall trip cost, or $6,595.

After April 17th, 2019: Pricing will revert to the equivalent in Euros. This is because it’s impossible to predict the euro- dollar fluctuations.

On June 1st, 2019: The trip will be opened up to the wider public and the prices will be $7,695 (single occupancy/double bed) or the equivalent in Euros. Less $600 if you share a room, $7,095.

DOWN PAYMENT: Upon completion of your on-line registration, a refundable deposit of $2,000 will be invoiced and due in order to save your space. You may pay via credit card, PayPal or wire transfer. Fees of .0275 are charged for the first two payment methods. NOTE: Once the trip is confirmed with a minimum of 12 paid guests,RachelKerr the.net deposit becomes NON-REFUNDABLE.

Final Payment/Balance: Due by DECEMBER 1st, 2019 will be NON-REFUNDABLE.

Cancellation Policy ~ VERY IMPORTANT!: Our minimum to run this trip will be 12 guests max. will be 20 guests. Once the trip is confirmed, the deposit and final payment become NON-REFUNDABLE. The purchase of additional travel insurance is imperative!

Insurance: VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Our credit cards typically cover only air-related events (baggage delay/loss, trip delay). The other critical insurance components to consider while skiing in a foreign country are high altitude medical emergency & evacuation services and the coverage for the Chamonix trip in the case of your own cancelation. For more information: Allianz (1-800-284-8300) or E-Gloo Protect (www.e-gloo.eu)

Please contact Doni at [email protected] for everything related to travel. Contact Lezlie at [email protected] for all queries relating to skiing, instruction, and gear rental.

NOTE: Number of Ski Guides will be determined by the size of the group and skill level diversity.

Spa seen here is one of the fabulous “day off” choices, their outdoor warm & hot pools are exactly what a sore-ski body will be needing. This is one of the best spas in the region!