THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

Ski 6 days with LGA’s local IFMGA guides deep into the heart of the Swiss Alps and across multiple valleys. Explore deep powder turns around the Andermatt Ski Arena and the URI Canton while skiing thousands of acres of off-piste. With over 5,000′ feet of vertical from the top of Gemsstock, our groups will have unforgettable days in the Alps. Ski the legendary off-piste couloirs of Gemsstock mountain and explore the backcountry of Engelberg with our local guides.

Engelberg- a true Skiers mountain with expansive terrain and some of the best snow in Switzerland. The resort is home to five of the most iconic runs in the Alps such as the Laub. Vertical descents of 4,000 to 7,000 feet of powder await you above the town. Engelberg is rich in ski history and offers one of the best ski experiences in the Alps. At the end of the day enjoy one of the liveliest apres scenes in Switzerland!

Andermatt is another historic town whose roots go back to the days as a major trading hub between Italy and parts of Europe. With over 5,000 ft of vertical from the top and more backcountry touring than one could do in a lifetime, this is a mecca for skiing.

Enjoy one of the most scenic train rides along the Swiss mountains as we travel from Engelberg to Andermatt on our transfer day. Switzerland is well known for its efficient train systems and using this to access different ski areas allows our groups to experience more on our trips. The train passes along the lakes near the city of Lucerne and slowly climbs up past the “Devil’s Bridge” through the scenic Reuss Valley and crosses the Schöllenen Gorge.

THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Every morning you will be treated with healthy Swiss breakfasts before we start our day. We host 2 group dinners (Welcome & Farewell) at local restaurants. Swiss meals are known for their quality & local ingredients as each region we visit has its own unique flavor. The group will have lunches at various mountain huts, restaurants and cafe’s while you take in the 360′ Swiss Mountain views. We leave these open so each guest can explore new foods to try.

THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

Relax at hotels situated above the center of town overlooking the Engelberg Valley with stunning views of the resort and Swiss Alps. Every room has great views of Mt Titlis, the Laub, and the Spannort. The hotel features a full restaurant and bar, ski room with heated boot dryers and free wireless internet. After a long day skiing Engelberg and exploring this vast area, enjoy access to the Wellness Center. In Andermatt, we will be staying at a classic Swiss hotel that has hosted skiers for decades. Located in the center of town and close to the lifts, its a prime spot for any ski trip.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

ARRIVAL DAY

Fly into Zurich International Airport (ZRH) – You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Zurich.
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 SWITZERLAND! TRANSFER DAY

Le Grand Adventure Tours welcomes you to Switzerland! All guests will rendezvous at Zurich International Airport and meet the LGA Team by 1pm. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Switzerland and to your first ski destination, Andermatt. Inspiring views of gemsstock and the Ursern Valley’s surrounding peaks await you.  We will have a group meeting around 6pm at the hotel to meet the whole group and talk about the trip and plan for the week. The guides will review the current snow conditions at the spots we will be skiing as well as any weather during the trip. The team will help guests get the gear dialed in for everyone so we are ready to go for the week. The evening offers your first chance to explore the town, dine or relax at the hotel with new friends. Steep yourself in Swiss culture and immerse into European life.

If rentals are needed, we can arrange snow equipment for the week through our partnership with Scott Sports. We will have a selection of powder skis with 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 ANDERMATT RESORT & THE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Enjoy three days of skiing Andermatt and the surrounding backcountry zones amongst the Swiss Mountains. These mountains are home to some of the natural springs that feed Europe’s major rivers like the Rhone. Thousands of acres and over 5,000 ft of vertical skiing awaits you at one of Europe’s best ski areas and home to some of the best powder in Switzerland. Andermatt Resort and the backcountry skiing are arguably some of the most sought after in Europe. Wake up to a great breakfast buffet with freshly cooked meals and local favorites so you are ready to go for the day. With the options to ski in three different Swiss Canton’s, use of trains to explore new ski areas, and brand new lifts allow our groups to access a lifetime of terrain. Get ready for a great day of skiing ahead, this is what skiing in the Alps is all about!

The Andermatt Ski Arena and Backcountry has a lifetime of ski routes to explore. Over the course of our stay in this stunning valley, you will have the opportunity to see most of the area as we ski around three different Swiss Cantons and towering peaks. Ski the famous gemsstock area, Urserntal Valley, Göscheneralp, the backcountry around Sedrun, and many other alpine routes that our guides know the best way to access. This huge valley offers some of the longest, high alpine, and expansive terrain in Switzerland. A true skiers dream location to explore! Drop into 5,000 feet of 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 see glaciers. A true beauty of the Swiss Alps.

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 the long open bowls, and into endless ski runs, this is a true once in a lifetime skiing experience. Andermatt has something for everyone and at the end of the day enjoy a cold beverage in town after exploring the alpine of Switzerland. 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. The Hotel Monopol offers packed lunches daily for a small fee or one of our favorites- local salami, cheese, and baguette in the pack as not much can beat that!

The group can experience one of the many restaurants in town on the open nights. This will allow everyone to try the local flavors this area is recognized for.

DAY 4-7: ENGELBERG RESORT & BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Get ready to head to one of our all-time favorite places in the world! All guests will meet the LGA Guides to transfer over to Engelberg by 4 pm after our last day skiing Andermatt. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Switzerland and to our second ski destination, Engelberg. Inspiring views of the Laub and surrounding peaks like Hanen await you. The Hotel Terrace sits above Engelberg with its unique cave entrance. A perfect Engelberg ski hotel with amazing views! This will be your home for the next 4 days to explore all of the Engelberg ski area and backcountry.

Upon arrival, we will get all of our ski gear ready for the next day and if you need skis we can visit one of the local ski shops in town. The LGA Guides will go over the plan for the next couple of days, discuss locations, possible weather and conditions in Engelberg. Enjoy some local wine, beer, meats, cheeses, and bread as you get to know your fellow skiers. The last night we will have a group dinner at the hotel 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, or take in the Swiss culture and enjoy the lively Apres scene.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY

Guests will be departing Engelberg around 9am after a great 6 days of great skiing! Join us for breakfast, say our goodbyes and enjoy a ride back through the Swiss countryside to Zurich International Airport (ZRH) where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in this beautiful city exploring the rich history of this area. We recommend selecting a departure after 2pm from Zurich International Airport. If you would like to spend another night in Zurich, 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

You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Zurich. Arrive to Zurich International Airport (ZRH). 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 Switzerland 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 Zurich International Airport (ZRH)
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:

• Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport
• Jet Hotel Zurich Airport
• Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
• Ibis Zurich Messe Airport

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 SWITZERLAND

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the Engelberg & Andermatt 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

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. The currency is CHF/Swiss Franc. EUR is not the currency of Switzerland (even if it is sometimes accepted by some merchants at a bad exchange rate). 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. 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.” With its plethora of international banks, the country is a center for global wealth. This means prices are high, but people are paid quite well. Supermarket sell pre-made meals for between 5-9 CHF. Bars and cafés are the cheapest food option, cost about 9-15 CHF for a lunch special. Restaurants with table service are around 20 CHF for lunch and 40 CHF for dinner (starter, main, and drink) to start. You’ll typically find pizzas for around 20 CHF in a restaurant. If you’re dining out (but still trying to stick to a budget), you’ll spend an average of 25-45 CHF a day on food.

LANGUAGE
The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh. In the Davos & St. Moritz area they speak German or a Swiss-German dialect. You will find English is widely spoken all over Switzerland. It is still great to learn a few of the day to day vocabulary to be polite.

SAFETY
Switzerland is very 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