Interlaken

2024 Winter Expedition Texas Ski Council trip!!!

This trip is sold out, please contact the Trip Coordinator if you are interested in being put on the wait list.

This Trip/Post trip at a glance:

Trip Date:	January 26, 2024	Trip Coordinator:	Karen Leeson
End Date:	February 3, 2024	TC Email:	Interlaken@spacecity.org
Full Pkg:	$2,667 Std RM double occupancy	Assistant TC:	Sandy Schneider
Full Pkg:	$3,028 Single Supplement Std	Assistant TC Email:	Interlakenatc@spacecity.org
Land Pkg:	$1,621 Std Rm double occupancy
Land Pkg:	$1,901 Premium Rm double occupancy
Land Pkg	$1,982 Single Supplement Std
Deposit:	15% per person	Final Payment:	October 27, 2023
Participants:	32	Post Trip to Milan:	$877 (Total Participants 20)
All prices are based on payment by credit card. A 2.99% discount will be deducted for each payment by check.

Transportation to and from resort on Land Packages

Transfers between airports and hotels are arranged for the main group and are coordinated with the main group’s flight itineraries. It is incumbent upon the participants to adhere to this recommendation, cost for off schedule transportation will be the responsibility of the participant.

Roommate requirement

It is the responsibility of the participant to identify a qualified roommate. The Trip Coordinator will aid, however, if a roommate is not identified prior to trip cancellation date, the participant has the option to pay for a single supplement if available or cancel less club cancellation fee before final payment.

WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP

To experience the incomparable, breathtaking alpine scenery added to historical Swiss villages and cities with castles make Interlaken, Switzerland an unforgettable place to spend some time skiing and touring with fellow ski club members from across Texas.

In addition, this trip includes:

Attractive prices on group airfare from Houston to Zurich Switzerland
7 nights’ accommodations in Interlaken
Full hot and cold breakfast daily at the Hotel
5-night dinners at the Hotel (2 nights on your own.)
Welcome Party! and resort orientation including: 2 drinks per person followed by cash bar, light snacks, tourist office representative Ski area representative/guide.
Gala TSC party night! at the Casino Kursaal (subject to min. 90 participants on the trip.) 4 drink tickets, desserts, music & dancing.
Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at all hotels.
Free Wi-Fi at the hotel
Use of exercise and spa facilities
Special Holidaze/TSC Pin

Accommodations:
We will be staying at the beautiful four-star Hotel Metropole which is in the middle of Interlaken with everything within walking distance including the train station. Standard rooms and deluxe rooms are available. Eighty-four of the 96 rooms have stunning views of the Jungfrau and the two lakes. The Metropole has a rooftop restaurant with fabulous panoramic views. There is also a spa available for massages, pampering, stretching and exercising. check it out using this link:
Metropole Interlaken

Transportation:

The full package airline is United. Ground trip transfers between Zurich Airport and Interlaken via private motor coach with an English-speaking assistant and luggage trailer will be provided.
While staying in Interlaken public transportation (buses and trains) is readily available.

Flight Itinerary for full package:

Mountain Stats:
Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren are the peaks. The altitude ranges from 3100 feet to 9,740 feet with the vertical drop sitting at 6,640 feet. The Jungfrau area includes a total of 45 lifts and 127 marked trails with 75% of them being groomed. Trail levels: Blue (beginner/intermediate) 30%, Red, (intermediate to advanced) 50% and black (advanced) 20%.

The Slopes:

Grindelwald-Wengen –With stunning panoramas and wide diversity, this richly diverse ski area lies right at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You could hardly be any closer to the world-famous rock formation. Glide on your skis or snowboard down the undulating slopes of the Männlichen, challenge yourself to the legendary Lauberhorn racetrack or take a spectacular steep drop above Kleine Scheidegg. Perfectly groomed slopes and modern ski lifts ensure ideal winter sports conditions.
Schilthorn – Schilthorn is the highest ski area in the Bernese Oberland with stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the surrounding Alps. Here, snow sports lovers will find everything they could wish for. Snowboard or ski down the steepest slopes, carve across wide spacious pistes or have fun in the snow park.
Grindelwald-First – An Eldorado for freestylers, look forward to fun at the snow park with kickers, straight boxes and a halfpipe, attractive downhill runs, perfectly groomed pistes and other exciting experiences in the snow in the Grindelwald-First ski area. Descend the beautifully snow-covered slopes on your snowboard or skis and admire the breathtaking mountain panorama. Sunny terraces lining the route provide plenty of chances to take a break and relax. Enjoy an adventurous day in the snow and discover the hippest après-ski hotspots in the Jungfrau ski region.

Ski/snowboard rental and Ski Lessons:

Top quality rental equipment is available in Interlaken via Outdoor Interlaken. An online link will be set up where TSC tour members will be able to book online and receive a 10% discount off the regular retail rates. A link to reserved equipment at discounted prices will be available. Outdoor Interlaken also provides snowboard and ski lessons for all levels.

Lift Ticket Prices:

Jungfrau Sport Pass is the best pass for staying in Interlaken. This pass will include all bus and Train transportation to the ski area, as well as provide a discount for those that want to take the train to the ‘Top of Europe. The discounted pricing is as follows:

Days	Adults	65+
3 Days	$212	$191
4 Days	$273	$246
5 Days	$324	$293
6 Days	$370	$333
3 of 5 Days	$216	$196

All rates include the 5 CHF Key Card. (This is not refundable)

Non-Skiing Activities:

More Than Just Skiing……This is not just a trip for skiers! There will be an opportunity every day for day trips, sightseeing and activities for non-skiers. There will be visits to legendary sights such as the magnificent Matterhorn in the charming village of Zermatt where no cars are allowed. Also, a tour of Lucerne, a flawless small city on a lake with spectacular views of the Swiss Alps, and home to the oldest covered bridge in Europe which is renowned for its beauty and preservation. Another day will include a trip to the fortress Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva along with the quaint village of Montreux. While visiting Switzerland learn about Chocolate making in Interlaken and oh, don’t forget the shopping! A day trip to Bern will also be planned. The Old Town of Bern was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1883 because of the preserved medieval city. It's also home to the first Lindt chocolate factory, and Einstein's most famous published work. Did you know there were 12 James Bond movies filmed in Switzerland with “Her Majesty’s Service being filmed in around Grindelwald? The revolving summit restaurant served as the headquarters of James Bond's arch-nemesis Blofeld and was called "Piz Gloria" – a name it has kept to the present day. What an opportunity to dine in such an Iconic place!

Tentative Itinerary:

Friday: Jan 26th: Fly from Houston to Newark
Saturday: Jan 27th: Arrive in Zurich and travel by bus (2 hours) to Interlaken, Switzerland. Check in at the Hotel Metropole Interlaken. Welcome reception and orientation.
Sunday: Jan 28th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 1
Monday: Jan 29th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 2 + optional Lucerne Tour
Tuesday: Jan 30th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 3 + optional Zermatt tour for skiers and non-skiers
Wednesday: Jan 31st: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 4
Thursday: Feb 1st: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 5 + optional Bern tour. TSC Farewell Gala at the Casino Kursaal
Friday: Feb 2nd: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 6 + optional Montreux & Chillon Castle tour.
Saturday: Feb 3rd: Breakfast at the hotel: Depart home to the USA or continue a Post Trip

Post Trip Information:
THE POST TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:
All transfers with a deluxe 50-seat coach from day 1 to day 4.
3 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Milan City Center
Breakfast daily
Tour guide from day 1 to day 4
2 Half Day guided tour (Milan and Bergamo)
Last supper entrance fee
1 typical dinner (3 courses) 1 lunch in Milan (3 courses)
Alfa Romeo museum stop is dependent on travel times

Milan Tentative Itinerary:

Saturday, Feb 3rd - Departure from Interlaken to Milan, with a stop on Lake Como. Free time to discover the beauty of the Lake. Lake Como or “Lario” is a harmonious mix of water and land and presents itself with its Ipsilon shape created by the branches that compose it with the basin of Colico, the Como branch and the Lecco branch. Continue to Milan hotel, check in and dinner on your own.
Sunday Feb 4th Hotel breakfast, short bus transfer to meet with your guide for a walking guided tour of the city center. You’ll be in awe with this amazing international city combining art, fashion, style and finance. See the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery (called Milan’s lounge), the Scala Opera House and the amazing Castello Sforzesco, once home of the Sforza family. Lunch, then visit Leonardo da Vinci’s last supper. Free time for shopping. Dinner in a typical Milan restaurant with typical regional dishes.
Monday Feb 5th Hotel breakfast and departure to Bergamo by bus. Guided visit of Bergamo, a real masterpiece of history, culture, music and landscape, with a medieval heart on top of a hill surrounded by the majestic Venetian Walls. (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Lunch on your own at leisure and free time in the afternoon. Return transfer to Milan with a stop at Alfa Romeo Museum.
Tuesday Feb 6th Hotel breakfast and departure to the airport.

Switzerland and Italy all in one….an opportunity you will not want to miss!!!

Online registration for Interlaken begins August 21, 2023!! Make certain that your membership and online profile are up to date on https://www.spacecity.org/ A wait will be available if the trip sells out.

Trip Coordinator: Karen Leeson
TC Email: Interlaken@spacecity.org

Assistant Trip Coordinator: Sandy Schneider
Interlakenatc@spacecity.org

Resort Photo credits – Interlaken Tourisms via Holidaze Ski Tours

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS TRIP!

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

When you register for this trip, all that you are required to do is pay your trip deposit of 15% per person. You have until Final Payment Date to pay your balance.

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

Trip Registration Instructions - Yourself

Trip Registration Instructions - You and another member

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 - Email - Interlaken@spacecity.org

When:

Friday, January 26, 2024, 8:00 AM until Saturday, February 3, 2024, 5:00 PM W. Europe Time (UTC+01:00)

Where:

Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken

Switzerland

Event Contact(s):

Karen Leeson

Trip Coordinator

Sandra Schneider

ATC

Category:

Trips

Registration has no activities available for registration

Payment By Schedule Only

Payment Schedule

8/28/2023

15%

9/27/2023

35%

10/27/2023

50%

Interlaken - Standard Room - Full Pkg

Interlaken - Single Occupancy Room - Full Pkg

Interlaken- Std Room - Land Only Pkg

Interlaken - Premium Room - Land Only Pkg

Interlaken - Single Occupancy Room - Land Only Pkg

Events Calendar - Event View