THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

Skiing in the Austrian Alps is a must do for all skiers and snowboarders. Skiing the Arlberg and Silvretta regions are amongst the most favored in the world for their abundant snowfall, expansive terrain, and endless backcountry areas to explore with our guides that have lived in these regions for multiple generations. Ski classic runs like the Valluga with a 2,700 foot vertical descent. It is one of the longest most consistent ski runs in Austria and is a dream run on a powder day and might just be the best run of your life! Enjoy the ease of access to some of the best skiing in Austria right out the door with over 88 lifts in St Anton and 45 state of the art lifts in Ischgl. The Piz Val Gronda is one of the best trams in the Alps and offers access to 3,000 vertical feet of off piste backcountry skiing above Ischgl and Switzerland. The Arlberg and Silvretta areas have some of the most expansive off piste-backcountry zones accessible by lifts in the world with endless options to ski over the course of a week.

St Anton– The off piste-freeride playground of Austria. Ski long powder descents, open bowls, trees and endless valleys to ski. Exclusive access to the top of the Valluga lift with our local guide which is one of the greatest runs in the Alps on a powder day! Ski the resorts of St Anton, Lech, Zurs, Stuben, and some of the best snow in Austria with descents up to 5,000 vertical.

Ischgl– A historic town in the Austrian Alps located in the Silvretta arena. Famous for the off piste-skiing and lift served terrain with some of the most high-tech lifts in the world, it is truly a skiers mountain. Spanning over two countries, Ischgl and the surrounding resorts sit in a perfect valley that receives lots of snow from all directions. Ischgl’s location in Austria sits in a favoreable location for storms and is typically colder than other resorts. With over 5,000 ft of vertical from the top and more backcountry / off-piste skiing than one could do in a lifetime, this is a mecca for skiing.

THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Every morning you will be treated with hearty traditional Austrian breakfasts before we start our ski day in the Tyrol. The LGA Guides will host 2 group dinners (Welcome & Farewell) at a couple of our local favorite restaurants so everyone gets a chance to try the dishes that make this area special. Austrian meals are known for their quality, local ingredients and the restaurant/food options around St Anton and Ischgl are world class. Each region we visit has its own unique flavor that you can experience in every meal or local food that you try. During the week the group will have lunches at various mountain huts, restaurants and cafe’s while you take in the 360′ Austrian Mountain views. The Apres scene is regarded as one of the best in the world and after a day of skiing powder, there is nothing quite like a refreshing beverage while celebrating and apres the Austrian way!

THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

Hotel Rauch St. Anton
Relax at the family Hotel Rauch situated near the center of town close to the lifts, restaurants, shops and more. A perfect location close to everything, great breakfast and stunning views of the Austrian Alps. Every room has views of the resort/town, spacious twin beds, ensuite bathroom and all the amenities you will need for a comfortable stay. The hotel features a breakfast restaurant and apres bar, ski room with heated boot dryers and free wireless internet.

Hotel Gipfelherz Ischgl
The Hotel Gipfelherz is a four star modern Austrian hotel that is locally owned and has hosted skiers and sports enthusiast for decades. Offers a spa area, a Finnish sauna, bio sauna and steam bath, a free ski shuttle service to Ischgl, and free WiFi. The rooms and suites feature either views of the rooftops of Ischgl or of the Pardatschgrat downhill run to the valley. A private bathroom and a flat-screen TV are further amenities. A breakfast buffet can be enjoyed every morning, including freshly prepared egg dishes, and à la carte dinner is served in the evening in the hotel restaurant. There is also a bar for spending some relaxing time enjoying your favorite drink. A ski storage room is at guests’ disposal.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

ARRIVAL DAY

Fly into Innsbruck International Airport (INN) – We suggest arriving the night prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Innsbruck.
Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts.

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO AUSTRIA! TRANSFER DAY

Le Grand Adventure Tours welcomes you to Austria! The Alps, one of our all-time favorite places in the world for a ski trip. All guests will rendezvous at Innsbruck International Airport or the local hotel that you are staying at and meet the LGA Team by 1pm. From here we will transfer you through Austria to your first ski destination, St Anton Austria. Inspiring views of the Tyrol mountains and the white blanket of snow covering the surrounding peaks of the Arlberg region await you for the next couple of days of skiing. The Hotel Rauch sits in between the center of town and the Nasserienbahn lifts with great access to the town and resort. A perfect Austrian ski hotel with amazing views and owned by the host family to share the hospitality of the Arlberg with you! This will be your home for the next 3 days to explore the cradle of skiing which is the Arlberg region. After checking in to our rooms, we will organize our ski gear for the next day, and if you need skis we will set you up on a pair of LGA skis or we can visit one of the local ski shops in town. Enjoy a Welcome Reception with the LGA Guides as they go over the plan for the week, discuss locations, possible weather and conditions to expect during your trip. Sample local wine, beer, meats, cheeses and breads as you get to know your fellow skiers. Tonight is the first group dinner at the hotel and we look forward to sharing stories with all of you. After dinner this is your time to relax in the hotel, explore the town, or get ready for the next day. The LGA Team welcomes you to your Austrian ski trip.

If rentals are needed, we can arrange equipment for the week through our partnership with Scott Sports. We will have a selection of powder skis with Marker alpine touring bindings to choose from. There will also be the brand new Scott E-1 Patrol Backpack and avalanche kits available for rent for guests during the trips. Both items can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money. If you wish to rent ski/snowboard equipment please let us know so that we can coordinate your rental.

DAY 2 – 4  ST. ANTON RESORT & THE ARLBERG REGION

Your Arlberg ski trip is set for three days of skiing the classic off piste lines around St Anton, Lech, Zurs, and St Christoph. The surrounding resorts, off piste, backcountry areas are set amongst the Tyrolean Alps and offer the group endless options for skiing. These mountains are home to the beginning of the sport and play a major role in the history of skiing. Thousands of acres of ski terrain stretches over the valleys, 6 surrounding resorts and thousands of vertical feet of skiing awaits you at one of Europe’s best ski areas. With its elevation and location, the Arlberg region is home to some of the best powder in Austria. St Anton and the surrounding areas of off piste skiing are arguably some of the most sought after in Europe. Wake up to a great breakfast buffet with fresh cooked meals and local favorites so you are ready to go for the day. With the options to ski 6 different areas, wide open bowls, couloirs, long powder runs down to the valleys, as well as brand new lifts allow our groups to access a life time of terrain. Get ready for a great couple days of skiing ahead, this is what skiing in the Alps is all about!

The Arlberg region and off piste routes offer a lifetime of ski routes to explore. Over the course of our stay in this stunning valley you will have the opportunity to ski around all of the different resorts to emerse yourself into the Austrian ski scene. Ski the classic runs such as the Valluga, Mattun, Lengen, and so many more alpine routes that our guides know the best way to access. This huge valley offers some of the longest, high alpine, and expansive terrain to ski in Austria. A true skiers dream location to explore! Classic runs over 1,000m (3,200 feet) vertical every day, covering high alpine powder, an expansive lift system to all major ski routes, and endless areas to stop along the way to admire the Tyrloean Alps. Lunches during the week will be at classic mountain huts and restaurants that have been serving skiers for decades with locally made dishes and some that you will only find here in Austria!

Itinerary- Our guides will select the routes on a daily basis as they assess the conditions and weather. Our team is always looking for the best snow and instead of setting a day to day itinerary, we use our years of experience to find the best snow each day. From perfect powder over thousands of feet of vertical to long open bowls, and into endless ski runs, this is a true once in a lifetime skiing experience. The Arlberg region has something for everyone and at the end of the day enjoy a cold beverage in town at one of the many amazing apres spots after skiing the Arlberg. We ski each day using trams, lift serviced access, trains, and shuttles to maximize ski time and find the best snow. Guests will be able to have lunch at local villages and mountain lodges through the week.

At night the LGA team is happy to arrange reservations and/ or share our favorite spots in town with the group. Each night guests can experience one of the many restaurants in town from small local spots to Michelin rated restaurants. A great opportunity for everyone to try the local Austrian cusinie, hospitality and world class food the area is recognized for.

DAY 4 – 7  ISCHGL RESORT & SILVRETTA ARENA

Our 4th day will be our last day skiing St Anton and in the afternoon we will transfer a couple valleys away into the Silvretta Arena. Get ready to head to one of our all-time favorite places in the Alps, Ischgl Austria! Over the course of the next couple of days, we will ski the Paznaun Valley surrounding Ischgl as well as some of the other resorts like Kappl, See and Samnaun Switzerland. The vast terrain of the Silvretta ski arena spans two countries and provides unparalleled high alpine skiing in the Alps. Our local guides grew up in the valley and know the area like no other and love to ski powder. Each day we will use the high tech lift system of Ischgl to access wide open powder bowls, trees, couliors, and endless off piste skiing between Austria and Switzerland. The off piste/freeride options around the Piz Val Gronda, Samnaun, and the Velilltal Valley offer some of the best skiing in Austria. Inspiring views of the Piz Buin, Paraid Naira and into the Canton of Graubuden Switzerland offer breathtaken scenic views. During our stay in Ischgl, the group will be staying at The Hotel Gipfelherz near the center of Ischgl. A perfect location for quick access to the ski resort, apres spots, restaurtants, shops and amazing views of the Paznaun Valley! This will be your home for the next 4 days to explore all of Ischgl and the Silvretta Arena and off piste terrain.

Upon arrival in Ischgl, we will check into the hotel, get all of our ski gear ready for the next day and head into town for dinner. The LGA Guides will go over the plan for the next couple of days, discuss locations, possible weather and conditions in the Silvretta Arena. Enjoy your first Apres in the town of Ischgl and celebrate a great day of skiing while watching people dance in their ski boots! The last night we will have a group dinner to celebrate the week of skiing Austrian powder and we look forward to sharing stories of skiing with all of you. After dinner this is your time to relax in the hotel, explore the town for one more Austrian evening, or take in the week and kick back in one of the local wellness centers.

DAY 8 – DEPARTURE DAY

Guests will be departing Ischgl around 9am after a great 6 days of great skiing! Join us for one more hearty Austrian breakfast, say our goodbyes and enjoy a ride back to Innsbruck International Airport (INN) where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in Innsbruck. We recommend selecting a departure after 2pm from Innsbruck International Airport. If you would like to spend another night in Innsbruck, please contact us and we can help you make arrangements.

NOTE: This itinerary is an example. The tour may be altered to adjust for weather and conditions. Our guides will plan the tour around the conditions to make sure you have the best trip possible.

DETAILS

BOOKING YOUR TRAVEL

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR TOUR WITH LGA & GET TRIP CONFIRMATION BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS

We suggest arriving the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Innsbruck. Arrive to Innsbruck International Airport (INN). If you’re able to find a flight that lands the day of the Tour Start Date and will be able to meet by our 1pm pick-up time, that works as well. Flight time from the West Coast of the United States to Austria is approximately 12 hours and 8 from the East Coast depending on if you book a direct flight or a flight with stops.

Departure is around 9am to Innsbruck International Airport (INN) Please do not schedule your departing flight before 2pm. On the final day of the tour, we will transport you back to the airport where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in the next city. If your departure flight differs from this, we would be happy to advise you with transfer and/or hotel options if needed. We can offer advice and suggestions if you need any assistance. Please give us a call or send us an email for more information.

HOTELS BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts. You will need to reserve a night at a nearby airport hotel, we have provided our favorite options for you to select from:

• Hotel Goldener Adler Innsbruck
• The Hotel Penz
• Hotel Maximillion Stadthaus Penz
• Hotel Sailer
• Hotel Penz West (Modern airport hotel)

GEAR

RECOMMENDATIONS

We suggest you bring your own ski and backcountry gear if you have it. A ski with roughly a 100mm to 110mm is the best option. If you want to bring a wider pair of skis please feel free or we can rent these if needed. We highly recommend bringing or renting a touring set up as this will allow the group to really ski a wide variety of areas. (not mandatory)  Having this as a daily set up allows us to find the best snow on the resort, quick laps in the sidecountry or going a little deeper into the backcountry. There are also options for ski touring days if the groups wants. If you have a new pair of touring bindings (Dynafit, Plum, Marker, Salomon, etc) and are comfortable skiing a wide variety of terrain on them, please feel free to bring them. Always bring extra layers, good gloves, 2 goggles if you have them or extra lenses, winter clothes for after skiing and a down jacket. We will be in the mountains so bring clothes that will keep you warm in a wide variety of conditions.

SCOTT SPORTS DEMO SKIS

Through our partnership with Scott Sports we will have a selection of Scott Scrapper powder skis with Marker alpine touring bindings with skins to choose from. Skis can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money.

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY GEAR

Avalanche safety gear is required on all of our tours. If you have your own equipment please bring it. We have Scott E-1 Patrol Backpacks including a beacon, shovel and probe available to rent for the duration of your trip.

ALL ABOUT AUSTRIA

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the St. Anton and Ischgl Weather Online a few days before your trip. We will guarantee you get the most out of your ski holiday as we have a wide range of activities that we can add to the trip in case there are down days due to snow storms or weather.

CURRENCY

The currency of Austria is EURO. It never makes sense to carry too much cash on you – anywhere. Withdrawing cash from your checking account using your US cash/debit card is usually much cheaper than converting dollar bills at an exchange desk and you will get the BEST Exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted, but Amex is not always accepted. Better stick with Visa. You will need some cash – but just for casual expenses. Most things can be paid for by credit card. Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee around 3-5%. This may be the time to get yourself a fun new rewards travel credit card that comes with “No Foreign Transaction Fees.”

LANGUAGE
The common language spoken in Austria is German. You will find English is widely spoken all over Austria. It is still great to learn a few of the day to day vocabulary to be polite.

SAFETY
Austria is safe. Always take regular precautions whenever abroad to save yourself from any potential headaches that could interfere with your travels.

FAQ

Check out our General FAQs section. Here you will find answers to your general questions.

DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE?

Trip Insurance is Not Included – We require trip insurance for all trips abroad. Protecting your trip & safety is our priority. We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations. They provide rescue and coverage designed for ski trips where other travel insurance options may not cover or rescue with skiing involved. This policy will cover you in case of any medical and personal accidents that could occur prior to or during your trip. This will also cover you if you have to cancel your trip for any reason or if your baggage gets delayed or lost.

DO I NEED TO TIP OUR GUIDES?

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7-10% of your trip price for the guide team. US Currency is preferred, however, local currency is also greatly appreciated. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on the overall trip experience provided by our team.

WHAT IS THE BOOKING PROCESS?

Contact LGA Tours via our website or telephone and an LGA representative will be in touch with you. After we confirm availability and confirm trip details, you will be provided a booking link to reserve your trip. Once you book the trip, a guest confirmation letter is immediately sent out. In the confirmation letter you will find a link to complete your guest profile form online as well as a link to your liability release that you will need to complete. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a deposit is due at the time of booking. If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know before you go.

CAN I RESERVE MY TRIP WITH A DEPOSIT?

Yes, you can reserve your trip with a Deposit for all Multi-Day Tours lasting 24 hours or longer. If you seek to reserve a spot on a Tour more than 90 days prior to the Date of Departure, the deposit amount is $1000. For Private Group Tours the Deposit amount is fifty percent (50%) of the Tour Price. Within 89 days or less prior to the date of departure, the full amount is due at time of booking.

WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THIS TOUR DUE?

Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure, or 7 days from booking confirmation if booking is within 90 days.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

Le Grand Adventure Tours cannot be held responsible for snow and/or weather conditions. Trips cannot be canceled or amended on the basis of snow and weather conditions. No refunds, reimbursements or discounts will be granted if, for any reason, client misses the tour, fails to join the tour, leaves the tour, is dismissed from the tour, or cannot fully participate in the tour. Any refunds will be at the discretion of Le Grand Adventure Tours if you are involuntarily forced to leave a tour for any reason. Travel Insurance is required on our trips to avoid the financial risks related to cancellations, involuntary early departures, medical reasons or any other travel related problems.

WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE?

We like to guide small group tours to ensure you have a great experience. Groups are typically between four to eight people. Private groups range anywhere from 6-16 people.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

Ski/Snowboard Gear:
Skis/Snowboard, boots, poles
Goggles
Helmet

Misc/Recommended:
Backpack
Avalanche Transceiver
Shovel/Probe
Touring Gear and Skins
Packable Puff
(We can assist with some gear, please feel free to contact us)

Après Clothing:
You will be in the mountains for a week so please bring warm clothing for when you’re not on the slopes.

Travel Requirements:
Current Passport
Credit card, cash and/or traveler’s checks
ID or driver’s license
Medical insurance cards
Prescriptions or other medications
Important phone numbers
Proof of Travelers Insurance