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Chamonix

THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT.
A WAIT LIST IS BEING STARTED NOW. 
CONTACT THE TC TO BE ADDED TO THE WAIT LIST.


TRIP SUMMARY

Start Date:
Sat., Jan. 31, 2020  
 Trip Coordinator (TC):
 Cindy Moore
End Date:
Sat., Feb. 8, 2020  TC email:
 chamonix@spacecity.org
Full Package Price: 
$2,338 per person
 Final Payment Date:
 Mon., Nov. 11, 2019
Land Package Price:  $1,543 per person  Resort Pass Affiliation:
Single Supplement  $725 per person  Paris Pre-Trip add $399
Jan 29 to Feb. 1, 2020
Deposit: $300 per person  Pre-trip single sup  $103/pp
Total Participants
32
 Post-trip single sup  $265/pp
Sicily Post-trip Feb 8 to Feb 13/pp  $1545 (subject to change)
 

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Chamonix Train Station © Maxime-COQUARD  
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?

Do you have a significant other who doesn’t ski or board but loves touring fabulous destinations?  This trip is the perfect choice if you do! Nestled at the foot of the famous 4810m-high Mont Blanc, the Chamonix valley is one of the most visited sites of natural beauty in the world. You will enjoy world class skiing; in fact the first winter Olympic game was held in Chamonix in 1924! The valley of Chamonix Mont Blanc is situated less than 15 km from the Swiss and Italian borders. In this one trip you can tour 3 countries in Europe; a paradise for both skiers and non-skiers. See the section at the end of this for Paris pre-trip details! Add $399 for Paris. The direct air to Paris is substituted for the inbound flight to Geneva on the main trip if taking a full package.
You can ski three different countries in the French Alps with access to Brevent-Flegere, Longa-LesGrands-Montets, Les Houches, Balme- Le Tour-Vallorcine', les Planards, le Savoy, la Vormaine and Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers Mer de  Glace railway on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. Also access Courmayeur in Italy and enjoy 50%  off on the Verbier pass. You will ski to your hearts content while your loved one enjoys tours in Aosta, Italy; Annecy; Geneva and Lake Geneva Region and savors wine tasting tours with Space City friends.  Experience romantic France and Italy together in the evenings and possibly plan some tours together. This is also the perfect European winter adventure trip for couples and singles who don’t ski at all. For those members who like to experience a little European skiing with a lot of other fantastic adventure and spa options, this trip is a dream come true! Read on….

We are staying at the fabulous four star Hotel La Folie Douce. I have heard some members are saying they are picking this trip just to stay at this amazing hotel!  Click this link for a video of this hotel during the summer.

La Folie Douce Hotels Summer Festival

Are you sick of trying to adapt to high altitude? Or even worse, does staying at high altitude make you sick? Would you believe our hotel’s altitude is a mere 3400 feet?  By European standards, with enough snow, the hotel sales person told me it is considered ski in, ski out to the Savoy lift, a beginner lift. (There could be a short walk to this lift, according to our tour operator, but it is “ski in” from this Le Savoy and Bre'vent  area.) Our hotel has shuttles to many ski areas included in your pass and there are also buses going to most of them included with your lift pass. This package includes an exquisite breakfast buffet every morning and a full dinner at the hotel for 7 nights. What other 2020 SCSC ski trip includes all of these meals?  When comparing prices, don’t forget to estimate how much you will spend on meals out and add that amount on to the domestic ski trips.

In addition to the above, your tour package includes a welcome drink and resort orientation evening of arrival before dinner, all transfers to and from Chamonix from the airport, TSC Gala dance party night, porterage of one piece of luggage per person, use of spa facilities at the hotel, optional tour program, TSC credential for Chamonix activities and Special TSC Pin. In 2018-19, when you purchased this  multiple 3-day or more Mont Blanc Unlimted pass, it included access to museums, the Vox cinama, skating rinks, Nordic skiing, one toboggan slide decent per day, access to QC Terme, Chamonix plus free and unlimited access to the skyway! Negotiations for this ski season is not yet finalized but it is expected they will include most of the same benefits.

Chamonix has some of the world’s best peaks and glaciers for expert skiing but also is perfect for the shopping aficionado.  Chamonix’s village is flooded with everything from jewelry and designer boutiques to high performance outdoor gear shops. Also, enjoy Nordic Trail, ski touring, winter paragliding and the town’s nightlife hot spots and casino!

The Valley of Chamonix Mont Blanc is also a veritable playground for intermediate and beginner skiers.  Enjoy the unique scenery to be found at this gateway to the high mountains, most notably via the amazing Aiguille de Midi cable car and the famous Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace. (See more about this under “More Than Just Skiing” below.)

Entrance to Hotel La Folie Douce credit MCpixphotography
ACCOMMODATIONS

We will be staying in premier rooms at the amazing Hotel La Folie Douce right at the slopes (ski in, walk out; ski out with the right snow conditions to the beginner lift). Most skiers will  walk or  take a 2 minute shuttle  to the Brevent Cable Car to access the Brevant ski area.  The party is ON at our hotel, complete with unforgettable Apres’ Ski in the LE JANSSEN COCKTAIL CLUB.  There you will find music, dancing and light shows from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. nightly.  It is the “happening” place to be after skiing in Chamonix!
Hotel La Folie Douce credit MCpixphotography
Hotel La Folie Douce Guest Room credit MCpixphotography
Hotel Night Life! credit MCpixphotography
More Night Life! credit MCpixphotography

Feel Good Club Spa Pool credit MCpixphotography
The Feel Good Club Sports & Spa boasts an 18-metre heated outdoor swimming pool, saunas and a steam room, fitness room, relaxation room and a sun terrace overlooking the majestic mountains of Chamonix. Book a massage or a yoga class and spoil yourself!

With Ample nightlife, 3 restaurants, your included breakfast buffet/dinners, 2 boutiques, 1 ski rental shop, and free Wi-Fi all inside our hotel, you can save your legs for the exceptional skiing and touring.


The six hotel photos above are courtesy Hotel La Folie Douce.


Luge Alpine Coaster © Pierre Raphoz
MORE THAN JUST GREAT SKIING

With Vox Cinama, museums, the sky way, tobogganing, QC Terme access, Mer de Glace glacier and the ice caves, the unique Apres’ Ski parties in our own hotel’s incredible bar, and multiple optional tours to choose from, it doesn’t get better than this!  Check out the pre-trip option to Paris and the Sicily post-trip details at the end of the main trip description below.


Montenvers train to Mer de Glace ©Maxime-COQUARD-BestJobers

For the non-skiers we have many options for day trips and excursions. Just a few are as follows:

  • Aosta, Italy
  • Annecy
  • Geneva and Lake Geneva region
  • Wine tasting Tours

If people prefer to be adventurous on their own, they can hop on the train and travel to a dozen different villages in any direction.


Ice Caves in Mer de Glace Glacier
The Chamonix ice caves (or ice grotto) in the Mer de Glace glacier is a great way for non-skiers (or skiers just taking a day off!) to spend a morning or afternoon in Chamonix and is included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass. This is what differentiates Chamonix from other ski resorts. Walking through the Chamonix ice caves, touching a real live glacier and being high up within these majestic mountains is a once in a lifetime experience.

Montenvers rack and pinion train -©Maxime-COQUARD-BestJobers

Take the steep Montenvers rack and pinion train up the mountain to access the Mer de Glace glacier and the ice caves. The ice caves are included in the train ticket.

The crimson, toy like train has been delivering sightseers to arguably the most stunning mountain scenery in Europe since 1908. Walk through the ice caves, drink in the spectacular views over the glacier, learn about these great hunks of ice in the glaciorium and visit the small crystal exhibition.


Aiguille du midi ridge ©Max-COQUARD-BestJobers
LIFT TICKET DETAIL

The lift ticket that will be for purchase for 2 days or more through SCSC is the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass which includes all of the following:
Access to all Chamonix Ski Resorts:

  1. Brevent-Flegere
  2. Grand Montets
  3. Les Houches
  4. Balme "Le Tour-Vallorcine
  5. les Planards
  6. la Vormaine
  7. le Savoy
    Access to all Chamonix sightseeing excursion
  8. Aiguille du Midi
  9. Montenvers Mer de Glace railway

Brévent ski area-© F.Depigny

In addition, you also have the following benefits based on the number of days of your pass:

 

2 Day or More: Free and Unlimited access to ski Courmayeur, Italy, Evasion Mont Blanc Ski area (from Megeve), Free and unlimited access to the Skyway https://montebianco.com/it/

 

3 Day or More: All of the above, plus unlimited access to the swimming pool, skating rink and museums, one Toboggan slide descent per day at Les Planards Ski Area, 1 Cinema Vox http://www.cinemavox-chamonix.com/



QC Terme Indoor Pool © QC Terme

Access to QC Terme, Chamonix  https://www.qcterme.com/fr/chamonix-mont-blanc/qc-termechamonix

 

Note: At the QC Terme you can enjoy whirlpools, hydro massages, hydrojets, waterfalls and much more.


Grands Montets ski area-© Salome' Abrial

6 Day or More: All of the above, plus 1 ski day at Verbier, Switzerland. (50% off Day pass)

Note: Lift tickets include the ski shuttle buses throughout the resort, with the exception of Verbier.

None of the Chamonix Areas are included in either Epic or IKON, however, one of the optional tours will be to Verbier, Switzerland for a ski day. The Mont Blanc Pass gives you a 50% reduction off the lift pass there if you buy a 6 day pass. However, with the Epic Pass, you get a 5-day ticket for Verbier. You could use this here.



All photos, unless otherwise credited, are courtesy the Tour Office Of Chamonix Valley-Mont Blanc.


Based on 2019 prices, a 1-day Cham-ski pass is: $51.00 Adult / $42.00 Senior 64-79 and $26.00 for 81 and older.  Unlike the one-day Cham-pass, the Mont-blanc Unlimited pass (prices below for 2 days or more) offers all the areas in the Mountain stats below:Go to this link for updated info:

https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/


Adult
Senior

15-64
65-79
1 Day
$51 $42
2 Days  
$110 $94
3 Days
    $159    $136
4 Days
$204 $174
5 Days
$242     $206   
6 Days
$264 $225

Ski Area Statistics
Vertical,
feet
Top
Elevation,
feet
Base
Elevation,
feet
Total Trail
Length
miles

Grand Montets
6,680 10,800 4,130 18

Brevent-Flagere
4,915 8,335 3,420 37

Le Tour

2,645 7,452 4,807 17
Les Houches
2,986 6,234 3,248
21



Also experience the Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc Glacier) as well as Courmayeur, Italy and Verbier and Megeve with our Mont Blanc Pass.

 

All in all, you will have over 200 miles of marked/groomed runs. This does not take in account off-piste, of which there is almost double the terrain. (France considers Off-Piste anything that is not a groomed run.)


TRANSPORTATION
Our flight reservations are through Delta Airlines.  The flight schedule for the main ski trip is:

Jan 31 KL  662    IAH/AMS    3:15PM-7:45AM
Feb 1  KL 1927   AMS/GVA   9:30AM-11:00AM

Feb 8  AF 1243   GVA/CDG  7:20AM-8:35AM
Feb 8  AF  636    CDG/IAH   10:10AM-2:20PM

All transfers for the main trip are by chartered bus. 


RENTALS AND SKI SCHOOL
Our tour operator is currently working on securing the TSC the best rates for both rentals and ski lessons.  I will update this area closer to the trip once these prices are available.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

We have finalized a fabulous 2-night PARIS pre-trip option with a direct flight to Paris from IAH from January 29th to February 1st! You can experience Paris, using less than 2 and a half days of vacation, for only $399!

This pre-trip includes:

* Air between IAH and Paris via Air France

* Transfer between Charles Du Gaulle Airport and Hotel

* 2 nights accommodations at the Novotel Tour Eiffel, Paris with major tourist attractions steps away!

* Breakfast buffet daily in Paris

* Transfer between Hotel and Gare de Lyon Station, Paris.

* 2nd class rail between Paris and Geneva via TGV (High Speed Train)  Train rides are so FUN!

* Transfer to our wonderful Chamonix Hotel

* All local taxes

You are free to experience dinner in Paris, both evenings, anywhere your sense of adventure takes you! Choose a romantic evening for two or a fun group dining experience, however, dinner will be on your own.  If I have 20 participants for Paris, I will be able to throw in a special surprise for each of you! 

 

FLIGHT SCHEDULE: (subject to change at any time) – We are currently holding 24 seats

29 JAN.           AF  639           IAH / CDG        4:15PM– 8:40AM

Note: The $399 includes no air. The flight above is substituted for the January 31st inbound flight to Geneva if you are doing the pre-trip and the full package. You substitute the Paris air for the regular full package air to get there, then both have the same return air unless you also sign up for the post trip which will have different TBA return air. The same is true of the return flight home if you are going on the post-trip. 

Post-Trip To Sicily

Experience an optional 6 day/5 night TSC post-trip, 
offering a unique tour of Sicily, with the following tentative schedule. This package price includes all tours/transfers/lodging below. The price for this post-trip will vary depending upon how many participants sign up.  The price for the original schedule below is $1545 based on double occupancy, however,  the price goes up if the TSC has less than 30 total participants and it will go down if the TSC has more than 35. 

RIGHT NOW YOU WILL ONLY BE SIGNING UP FOR THE MAIN TRIP.  WHEN YOU SIGN UP YOU WILL BE ASKED IF YOU WANT THE PRE AND OR POST TRIP OPTIONS, JUST LIKE YOU ARE ASKED WHO YOU WANT FOR YOUR ROOMMATE.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO CAREFULLY ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS SO I CAN TELL OUR TOUR OPERATOR HOW MANY PILLOWS/AIR SEATS  WE NEED FOR BOTH THE PRE AND POST-TRIPS.  LIFT TICKET AND PRE-POST TRIP ACTUAL SIGN UP/PAYMENT WILL BE MUCH LATER

Day 1: Chamonix/Milan/Palermo

Transfer by coach from Chamonix to Milan. Flight between Milan & Palermo, Sicily on Easy Jet. Arrival in Palermo airport and transfer by private coach to the hotel. Overnight.


Day 2: Palermo - Monreale - Palermo

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning departure to Monreale for the visit of its splendid Cathedral covered of golden mosaics, the most extended in the world after Santa Sofia in Istanbul and San Marco in Venice. Visit of the next Benedictine Cloister. At the end, return to Palermo for the visit of the Palatine Chapel, located inside the Normanni Palace, the ancient real palace, and the Cathedral. We will follow along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the ancient “cassaro”, straight down to the Quattro Canti, focus point of the city. Free time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Palermo – Segesta – Erice – Selinunte – Agrigento   

Breakfast at hotel and departure to Segesta: Visit of the Doric Temple. Then continue to Erice, a small medieval town perched on top of the mountain. Time for leisure to stroll and visit of the beautiful "Chiesa Madre", the gothic cathedral. Continue to a local farmhouse where you will have an Olive oil tasting and lunch. After lunch departure to Selinunte: guided tour of the archaeological zone. Overnight at the hotel in Agrigento. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Palermo  

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we visit the famous Valley of Temples of Agrigento, which was one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world, it has been preserved in an exceptionally intact condition. The archaeological Park contains one of the great treasures of Greek still existing. The Doric temples, built in tuff sandstone, are still worth seeing today. The color of the temples changes from deep yellow to pink during sunset. The ‘’Valley of the Temples’’ is a World Heritage Site (UNESCO) since 1997. Departure to Piazza Armerina. Lunch in a local farmhouse with typical products. After lunch, visit the marvelous Villa Romana del Casale (UNESCO heritage) with its perfectly preserved mosaics dating from the late fourth century. A.D. The charm of the place is mainly due to the enchanting decorative mosaics, exceptional in their artistic quality and for their sheer size. Proceed to Palermo. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Palermo – Cefalù – Palermo
Breakfast at the Hotel. Departure to Cefalù, an enchanting small village on the sea that offers a beautiful artistic view of colors and lights.  Visit of the impressive "Norman Cathedral” (UNESCO heritage) which dates back to 1131. Free time to stroll among the small streets, which retain their medieval charm, full of elegant shops and jewelers. Return to Palermo. Enjoy a Farwell Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.


Day 6: Palermo

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Palermo airport for departure flight to USA.  

Here are all flights for the post-trip:


08 FEB.                  IG    667                MXP / PMO

3:05PM - 4:45PM **

13 FEB.                  AZ 1774                PMO / FCO

6:45AM - 7:55AM **

13 FEB.                  DL   065                 FCO / ATL

11:35AM - 5:00PM

13 FEB.                  DL 1853                 ATL / IAH

7:55PM - 9:17PM


The finalized price for this post-trip will be announced later.



 

Trip Coordinator: Cindy Moore
chamonix@spacecity.org


PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS TRIP!

CLICK ON THE DESCRIPTION THAT CORRESPONDS TO YOUR TYPE OF REGISTRATION.






LIFT TICKETS

Lift tickets will be made available after final payment date. Please inform your TC which lift tickets you would like.


When you register for this trip, all that you are required to do is pay your trip deposit of $300/per person
. You have until Final Payment Date to pay your balance.

If you require a single supplement to go on this trip, make sure you contact the TC immediately after registering for the trip so that one is assigned to you.


If you are not familiar with the Space City cancellation policy, please read it HERE.

If all or any of the packages offered in this trip have sold out (i.e., they show as Filled on the Event Registration - Activities page), and you would still like to purchase them, then contact the TC to be put on a Wait List.

Click the Button-Accordion down arrow circle next to Activities/Items below to see more details about the trip.

When:
Friday, January 31, 2020 to Saturday, February 8, 2020
Where:
Hotel La Folie Douce
Lodging Website
823, Allée Recteur Payot
Chamonix  74400

France
+33 (0)4 50 55 10 00
Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Lucinda K Moore
Category:
Trips
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Activities/Items    (Click the down-arrow to the left of the activity/item to view the details)
Full Package
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