THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

IMAGE QUEST ITALY is based in Alagna, a small village situated at 1191m (3900 feet) and the top of the lifts reach 3275 meters (10,745 feet) for a total vertical just over 2,085 meters (6,800 feet!). The Monte Rosa region is nestled amongst more than 20 of the highest peaks in the Alps (4000m+/13,000 feet); the Monterosa Ski resort, and in particular Alagna, is one of the best areas in the Alps for backcountry skiing, freeride touring and long consistent runs. Enjoy 6 ski days with LGA’s local Italian UIAGM/IFMGA guides that were born and raised in the Freeride Paradise of Alagna!

Monte Rosa is one of the most fascinating massifs in the whole of Europe. It reaches an altitude of 4634m (15,200 feet) at the Dufour peak and is home to the highest lodge in Europe: the Margherita Hut (Signalkuppe – 4554m/14,900feet), dedicated to Queen Margaret of Savoy who officially opened it in 1893. The action of its glaciers has shaped the landscape over the centuries, creating a natural environment of stirring and wild beauty that is unique in the world. During the day, participants will be on snow with mixed weather conditions, changing lighting and other forces of nature will offer up exceptional chances for photography, regardless if you are in front of the camera skiing for glory, taking photos yourself or creating your own branded content. Because of the varied terrain, participants should be at least strong-intermediate skiers or snowboarders with the ability to ski mixed snow conditions and out-of-bounds slopes of moderate difficulty. There is nothing like skiing or snowboarding in Italy and our team is ready to take you there!

THE ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Looking to improve your skiing, expand on a career as an athlete or working on becoming a sponsored athlete on the FWQ or World Tour? Want to travel around the world and ski the best locations? Want to get paid to ski? The Image Quest Athlete Experience will jump start your career as a freeskier. Work with our professional photographers to learn how to get the images that will get you published as well as expanding your ski career. Learn how to market yourself and build your own portfolio and reputation. Discover the secrets of becoming sponsored, and what team managers are looking for. The Image Quest Athlete Experience is complemented by our Media and Marketing Experience. You’ll work with our instructors and Media and Marketing Experience students to build a professional athlete portfolio, and through our partnerships in the industry, you’ll have the opportunity to make strong industry connections right out of the gate. We’ll give you the inside track on what professional photographers, editors, team managers and brands are looking for: from sponsorship to editorial trips, to the kind of people they want to have in their magazines. Finally, our on-site coaches will help you refine your style, so that when the cameras start to roll, you’ll look good and nail the shot.

THE MEDIA / PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

Want to break into the world of action sports photography and journalism? Or are you interested in a career in brand management and marketing? Image Quest Italy  is a week long boot camp that focuses on everything you need to know to take photos, write features and create digital content for magazines, newspapers and the web. We also take an in-depth look at brand management and marketing, and how to get the best jobs in those fields. Our instructors have launched magazines, held senior positions at Powder, Freeskier and more, they’ve won awards and they’ve toiled in the trenches as freelancers. They’ll teach you how to break into the industry and launch your career. They’ve also managed complex marketing projects, worked as brand managers and created some of the most interesting and unique events in snowsports. At Image Quest Italy you’ll learn how to market your images, from selling fine art posters to commercial work to editorial projects to the secrets of working with stock agencies. We’ll also look at branding and marketing yourself (an essential strategy in today’s job market) to how to work with established companies, ad agencies and event production teams. And once the camp ends, it doesn’t stop. Ongoing mentoring will help you keep the ball rolling as you build your portfolio and create your dream career.

THE APRES SKI SEMINAR EXPERIENCE

Workflow and Archive Strategies (Media and Marketing Experience): Managing your image library can be a complex and messy process. Streamline your editing, workflow and archiving- to make the most of your images, including the use of Adobe Lightroom and other software tools. Branding: Build your personal brand, from creating social media identities that appeal to sponsors to website basics to how to market yourself to magazines, we’ll help you create branding that’s powerful and sophisticated. The Art of Photoshop: This powerful software allows photographers and athletes to manipulate images like never before. Here’s how to get the most out of your photos or athlete identity by using Photoshop. Moving Pictures: From creating compelling slide shows or other presentations of your still images, to editing POV video to taking advantage of the video capabilities of your camera, learn how to build your personal brand with the use of video. Terrain Management: Individuals who work in the mountains face unique weather, snow and avalanche conditions. We’ll break down the fundamentals of terrain management with a focus on how to make good decisions and minimize risk while working on snow. The Low Fidelity Revolution: Cell phones, webcams, $100 digital cameras: they all can take great pictures. Want to expand your photography without breaking the bank? Or just experiment for fun? Take advantage of the low-fi revolution to produce unique, powerful images, regardless if you’re an athlete posting on Instagram or a photographer looking to expand your skill set.

THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

The area has a simple and authentic gastronomic tradition that combines alpine culture with outstanding Italian cuisine; it also boasts top-quality wines, in particular, Gattinara DOCG, considered to be one of the best Italian wines. Every morning you will be treated to healthy Italian breakfasts before we start our day. We host 2 group dinners, a Welcome & Farewell dinner at local Italian restaurants. Wines: High Piedmont wines are part of the history and Italy’s first bottled wine was made in this area; especially Gattinara was well-known by international nobles since the 16th century, 200 years before the first Barolo was bottled. The area is undergoing a renaissance made by younger generations returning to farm and by improved quality; it boasts top-quality wines, in particular Gattinara DOCG, considered one of the best red Italian wines; but also Ghemme DOCG, Lessona DOC, Boca DOC and Bramaterra DOC, thanks to a great variety of soils and climates determined by the closeness of Monte Rosa massif and by Sesia river, are really characterful and peculiar wines.

THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

Over the course of 7 Days and 6 Nights, the group will be staying slopeside in the picturesque town of Alagna Italy with the ski slope at the front door. The Pensione Genzianella has a long history of welcoming skiers from around the world. The Pensione sits at the base of Alagan only a couple meters away from the lifts and a direct connection to Punta Indren and connects Alagna to Champlouc through the Gressoney Valley. The Roccette glacier sits high above the hotel and is your gateway to the Val D’Ayas. All Double/Twin Rooms offer comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms, daily breakfast with specialities from the Walser region. The hotel offers a beautiful sun terrace, a ski room with boot warmers and free wifi in the hotel. 

SAMPLE ITINERARY

ARRIVAL DAY

Fly into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Milan.
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 ITALY! TRANSFER DAY

Le Grand Adventure Tours welcomes you to Italy! We can arrange to pick you up at the hotel you are staying at or you can meet us at the airport if you land the same day at 1pm. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Northern Italy and to your ski destination, Alagna. Inspiring views of the Monte Rosa area and its surrounding peaks await you. Settle into your comfortable room and prepare for the the ski week ahead. 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 Image Quest 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, dine or relax at the hotel with new Image Quest friends.

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 – 6 – ALAGNA FREERIDE PARADISE RESORT

Make the most of your authentic freeriding experience! With over 2,000 meters (6,000+ feet) of vertical our guides will show you across 4 valleys and the expansive terrain of this area. The Monterosa Ski resort, and in particular Alagna, is known as a Freeride Paradise and is considered one of the best areas in the Alps for backcountry skiing.

Freeriding and Backcountry Experience: The trip is dedicated to living the pure ski experience of the Freeride Paradise of Alagna; you will ski the best runs of the area, including the legendary Balma, and gain confidence skiing around the massive Monte Rosa terrain. We will ski into the valleys at the base of the Monte Rosa area discovering the 4 valleys that boast some of the best skiing in Italy. Over the course of the week, the group will have an opportunity to embrace the local Walser culture. Over the course of the camp, we will guide you through the region, teach you the tips & tricks from the pro’s, and at the end of the day, we will share the photos of the group to reminisce about the great powder we skied.

Ski Mountaineering Experience: The pure essence and soul of this area. A true ski mountaineering culture and area that lets our guests travel over mixed terrain using a variety of skills learned from off-piste skiing and ski touring. With our local UAIGM/IFMGA Alpine Guide, you will ski tour across the Bors Glacier, learn a new set of skills to keep yourself safe in the mountains and gain more confidence off-piste learning techniques for steep skiing. The group will have the opportunity to ski some of the best couloirs of the area, such as the Malfatta couloir (40°-45°).

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. We ski each day using lift-serviced access 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. During the week the group can experience a wide variety of restaurants as well as one of the best Italian restaurants in town that we know you will enjoy. A true culinary experience after skiing some of the best runs of your life. Having open nights during the week for meals will allow everyone to try the local flavors this area is recognized for.

On the last day, we will have a farewell dinner party to round off your Image Quest powder experience in Italy. We will share photos, videos, and stories from the week at our last après session.

DAY 7 – DEPARTURE DAY

Guests will be departing Alagna Italy around 8am after a great 5 days of skiing this freeride paradise! Join us for breakfast, say our goodbyes and enjoy a ride back through the Italian countryside to Milano Malpensa Airport (MPX) 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 Milano Malpensa Airport. If you would like to spend another night in Milano, 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 Milan. Arrive to Milan Malpensa Airport (MPX). 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 Italy 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 8am to Milan Malpensa Airport (MPX)
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:

• Moxy Hotel
• Cardona
• Holiday Inn Malpensa

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.

Media + Marketing Experience Mandatory, recommended for the Athlete Experience:
– DSLR or other quality camera, with interchangeable lenses of your choice
– Backpack designed for cameras and/or skiing, no over the shoulder bags, please
– Laptop, including photo-editing software of your choice (Lightroom/Photoshop)
– Extra flash memory cards specifically for your camera
– Portable hard drive for image storage
– Optional Camera Equipment: Additional DSLR body, low fidelity digital camera (phone, point and shoot digital camera, or other digital device), GoPro, Contour or other digital video camera

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 ITALY

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the Alagna 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. You will need some cash – but just for casual expenses. Most things can be paid for by credit card. The currency is the Euro. 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 fun new rewards travel credit card that comes with “No Foreign Transaction Fees.” Italy is affordable as long as the Euro is in our favor. Even if the Euro isn’t in our favor the costs are on the lower end than what we are used to in the US. It’s easy to have an expensive meal, but it’s also easy to eat for less. There isn’t a food mart in the town of Alagna so if you’re looking for snacks to bring with you for the day we recommend picking them up at the airport before we head into the Alps.

LANGUAGE
Italian! You will find English is widely spoken all over Italy. It is still great to learn a few words of the day-to-day vocabulary to be polite.

SAFETY
In general, Italy is safe to travel. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times and beware of pickpockets around the main cities. 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
Climbing Harness (that fits over ski pants)
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