GRINDELWALD SKI TOURING WEEK 2016 TRIP NOTES
Grindelwald Ski Touring Week 2016 Trip Notes All material Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2015/16 Switzerland is home to some of the world s best winter terrain offering an endless amount of amazing skiing and the infrastructure makes it easily accessible. This ski-touring week is based in the well-known ski town of Grindelwald, which has the envious location under the mighty Eiger. Enjoy waking up each morning knowing that you have the option of skiing numerous runs beneath the spectacular mountains that surround the village. Or enjoy un-tracked powder turns through the numerous tree runs. Your guide will enjoy taking you to the best locations giving you the opportunity to make the most of the snow, terrain, location and the beauty of this area. History The European Alps are full of climbing and skiing history. They are the birthplace of mountaineering and the rich heritage adds to the superb facilities (catered huts and lift systems), which provide for mountaineers and ski-tourers that is not seen elsewhere. Tour Programme Overview Day 0 Day 1 Day 2 Arrive into Grindelwald and overnight at hotel. Travel up the first cable car, then onto the Oberjoch (2486m) and from here, we ascend to the Faulhorn (2681m) where we take in the views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Brienzersee. We then ski down to 1600m near Bussalp or to the valley floor at 930m. This provides us with a good warm-up day. Overnight at Grindelwald hotel. This morning we head to Isenfluh, where we catch a tiny 6 person cable car up to Sulwald (1500m). From here, we ascend to Kleine Löbhorner at 2519m and ski towards the scenic Soustal. There will be an option to combine this with ascending Schwalmere for an extra 400m ascent. We finish the day off by descending back to Isenfluh (1080m) for another hotel night.
Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 We head off to explore the Rosenlaui Valley from where we will ascend from the Schwarzwaldalp Hotel, which is situated under the Wellhorn (3191m) for an 1100m ascent and powder descent. Overnight at hotel. Our objective today is the head up to the Oberjoch and then ascend the Reeti (2577m), before moving onto the Uf Spitzen (2381m) for some steeper powder skiing. We finish the day by skiing back to Grindelwald and spend another night at the hotel. We travel through the famous Lauterbrunnen Valley and take the lifts to the Schilthorn (2980m). From here, we ski some exciting ridgelines towards a 400m ascent to the summit of Hundshorn (2930m), which culminates in a 2000m vertical descend to Kiental (950m). We finish the day with a celebratory drink on the train that will take us back to Grindelwald. Enjoy a final hotel night. Depart for home. The level of experience required To ski tour in the European Alps you need to be physically fit, and be capable of strenuous exercise each day. Most days will start early, but there is usually some scope for some later starts and relaxed evenings to enjoy the classic European culture. Even skiing and climbing at the moderate altitudes in Europe has a definite physical effect on people. Most climbers and skiers notice a lower performance rate than normal. Touring days are physically demanding and can entail 1000m/3,300ft ascent at altitude. Costs for Grindelwald Ski Touring Weeks The cost for the five day Chamonix Ski Touring Week on a 1:1 ratio is EUR 5,990 and 1:2 ratio EUR 3,600 per person 1:3 ratio EUR 2,990 per person 1:4 ratio EUR 2,550 per person This includes: all expenses for the guide and yourself ski-touring guide for 5 days, snack and lunch food whilst touring, and lodging on a twin-share basis for 6 nights, lifts. This cost does not include: any ski equipment rental, airport transfers to/from Grindelwald, evening meals in Grindelwald, restaurant lunches when touring and any hotel single supplement costs.
Grindelwald Ski Touring Dates January to April is the best time to ski tour in the Grindelwald region. Team Membership The number of guides is determined by the size of the group, the ratio of guides to climbers is 1:2 or 1:4 depending on the skill level of the group. You will find the Adventure Consultants Mountain & Ski Guides friendly companionable guides, who will relish the opportunity to share the mountains and to see you enjoy your journey through the Alps. Equipment List Grindelwald skiers will be sent a list detailing all necessary individual clothing and equipment that is required. Payments In order to confirm a guide and your trip, we require a completed Registration Form and a non-refundable deposit of EUR 500. The balance of payment is then due 60 days prior to the start date. Download the registration form from our website or use our online booking form at: http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/bookingform/ Following is the EURO bank information for Adventure Consultants Ltd., 20 Brownston Street, Wanaka, New Zealand, Ph +64 3 443 8711. All deposits and final payments for European trips should be sent by telegraphic transfer to this account unless advised otherwise. Bank Name and Address: Bank of New Zealand - Offshore Branch 1 Willis Street, Wellington, New Zealand Swift Address: BKNZNZ22 Beneficiary s Account Number: 1000-594771-0002 Beneficiary s Account Name: Adventure Consultants Limited Beneficiary s Address: 20 Brownston Street, Wanaka, New Zealand Account Type: Euro Dollars Please request that all charges are for the remitter s account. Please contact us if you have any problems sending moneys to this account. We can accept your deposit and balance payment by credit card Visa, Mastercard, Amex. **Please note: In order to reserve a guide we recommend that you book well in advance.
Cancellation & Refund Policy Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 60 days prior to your trip commencement date. A skier may then cancel his/her participation on the following basis: Cancellations outside of 60 days will result in the loss of the trip deposit. Inside 60 days of the departure date we reserve the right to retain 50% of the full fee. Inside 30 days of the departure date we reserve the right to retain 75% of the full fee. Inside 15 days of the departure date forfeits 100% of the full fee. We recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent. The advantages of climbing and ski touring with us Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to expedition and ascent climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success. We employ strong and specialised IFMGA Mountain Guides, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. Many of our skiers and climbers come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip, and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions and guided ascents safe and successful. How to book your Grindelwald Ski Tour Week If you would like to book a Grindelwald Ski Tour Week, please request an Application Form and forward it along with your skiing/climbing résumé and the deposit for the trip. You can also use our online booking form at http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/bookingform/ If you require more information please contact us at; Adventure Consultants Ltd PO Box 739 20 Brownston St Wanaka, 9343, New Zealand Ph + 64 3 443 8711 Fax + 64 3 443 8733 Email: info@adventure.co.nz Web: www.adventureconsultants.com Adventure Consultants is affiliated to the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA), New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) and a corporate member of the American Alpine Club (AAC). Adventure Consultants perform to IFMGA standards and are world leaders in high altitude guiding. All material Copyright 2015/16 Adventure Consultants Ltd