Global Adventure - Ski and Winter-Walk in Courmayeur and Cervinia Italy

The adventure will begin at noon on Fri, Mar 2, 2017 and end at 7am on Sun, Mar 18, 2017 at the Milan Malpensa airport.

Itinerary Highlights: “This is Italy!” will begin in Milan.  Explore the culturally rich  Milan where you will see  the many Roman historical sites and structures remaining, the Leonardo Da Vinci's fresco of the Last Supper, the La Scala opera house, the unique farmers' market, the ornate coffee houses and of course, the famous Italian gelato.  Milan's Museum of Science and Technology is one of the largest in Europe and not to be missed. While sightseeing, be sure to have a fancy cup of coffee at one of the very inviting coffee houses or find the very best gelato in the world.

 The leader will welcome you to Italy at her favorite, very small, chocolate & coffee house  with an artistically created coffee or rich cocoa.

Our traditional Italian hotel  features a world re-known breakfast buffet you will always remember.    We stay in Milan for 2 nights.

Next, off to Courmayeur, the 5* ski resort (4,015 to 9,038- ft) with an 8 mile run to the valley floor or the 12.5 mile run of the Valley Blanc to Chamonix.  The 3-day or longer pass (lifts are  $35-45/day in Europe!) includes skiing also at Chamonix, Pila and La Thuile-La Rosier.  Walkers can take the bus to Chamonix for the day or take the lift for a panoramic view of the Valley Blanc and Mont Blanc.  Courmayeur is a lovely mountain village with a winding, walking street through the village. View the Courmayeur Mont Blanc Piste Map.

 We will stay for 6 nights at a warm, welcoming, small family run hotel which will offer you personal attention.

After being “Italianized” in Courmayeur, we will journey to the small, quaint village of Cervinia on the south side of the Matterhorn. This is the highest resort in Europe and is surrounded by the highest mountains in Europe.  It is easy to be dazzled by the mountain world around you, being surrounded by 29 peaks over 13,100ft.   Here you can ski  on 53 lifts on both the north and south sides of the Matterhorn. Ski into Zermatt, Switzerland on a 8 mile run  or ski to Cervinia on a 7 mile run. Fabulous scenery and glaciers will captivate your attention during every ride up the mountain for both skiers and walkers.  Walkers can take the ski lifts  to explore the mountain or even go to Zermatt to spend the day.  Zermatt has history and a museum about the attempts of assents of the Matterhorn, great little restaurants and unparalleled  traditional views of the Matterhorn.  Try paragliding from one of the many schools for the unusual views of the Matterhorn.

We will stay here for 7 nights. Here we will stay in Junior Suites at a ski-in Sport Hotel with an inviting waterfall into the swimming pool.  

Before departing Europe, more exploration of Milan is possible from the airport hotel which has direct service to Milan.  A one-week option is possible if room is available. Less time in Milan is also possible.

NOTE:  As with any extended travel, but particularly in an area with unpredictable weather, our itinerary can change without notice and sections may be modified or dropped.  The priority will always be on safety for all participants. 

Time of Year: The trip is offered when there is a chance of many days of sun but still an occasional 24 hours of storm, offering new snow.

Travel Dates: You may travel other than the scheduled dates. Often it is great to go a few days ahead of the group.   You may use miles.  Anne Johnson  knows our trip itinerary.  Call her at 206-623-2157 or 800-727-2157,or email her at annie@scaneastwest.com to give her your credit card information and  your deviations.  Your airline tickets, fuel and departure taxes will be charged against your credit card. We are flying round trip to Milan.  Please contact me to discuss possible options.

Lodging: Will be in comfortable family-run 3* and 4* hotels with 2 people to a room.

Food: Multi-course dinners of International specialties and American Buffet breakfasts are included.  Not included are beverages at dinner, 3 dinners in Milan and all lunches.

Leader’s Experience:  Patti is the director of the nationally-recognized Mountaineer’s winter sports program at the Mountaineers Meany lodge.  A highly-accomplished skier and ski instructor, Patti has led over 32 international ski/walking tours in Europe for the Mountaineers as well as 8 hiking trips to New Hampshire and Maine and a snowshoe/cross-country ski trip to Maine.

Strenuousness or Difficulty rating:   Participants may choose ski runs from easy to strenuous based on their skill and experience level. 

Participant Requirements:  Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file. Join or log into your account to update your waiver. Must enjoy snow, sun and maybe skiing, snowboarding, winter walking, snowshoeing, photography, Italian Culture and food, and/or travel.  NOTE:  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe. 

Limit:   Maximum of 13 participants plus the leader.

Trip Price:   $3,500 includes all  hotels, land transportation, tours, tips,  and all breakfasts and  most dinners, as well as a portion of the leader’s expenses and a Mountaineers administrative fee.  Not included:  Air fare, lift tickets, lunches, and personal needs, 3 dinners in Milan and beverages at dinner.  Participants are also required to carry international medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance. Review our background and guidance on travel insurance.

Registration Instructions:  Please complete the application form and Global Adventures Liability Release and Indemnity Agreement.   After the leader’s approval, please pay the $1500 deposit online from this trip listing (click ‘Register’ to the right) or call Mountaineers member services at 206-521-6001 to hold your space on the roster. Registration will close on December 1, 2017, or sooner if the trip is filled.  A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit. The balance of the trip payment is due by December 1, 2017 (you will receive notice of the final amount to be paid before this date.)

Application          Release

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must received via email or in writing to the Seattle Program Center.  The date of transmission will be considered the date of cancellation. If canceling, there will be a Global Adventures administration fee of $100 plus any non-refundable expenses.