Introduction
TRAVEL TIPS
Although the countries and resorts featured in The Blue Book may vary in their local customs and procedures, there are some generalizations that will help skiers plan their trips and enjoy them more.
The following travel tips are offered by the editors, who collectively have spent many years skiing in Europe They have learned some of these tips the hard way.
PLANNING
Consult a travel agent or tour operator. They eliminate a lot of detailed planning and may save you considerable time and money. Most tour operators use regularly scheduled airlines and can customize a trip.
Check with specialty ski shops or ski clubs about group tours. A local ski club just might be arranging a trip to your chosen destination. The national tourist offices mentioned in the country sections have brochures that will let you savor a trip long before you board the plane.
Information is available on the Internet. Check out a resort beforehand. The Blue Book has a list of Internet addresses and e-mail addresses.
DOCUMENTS
A visit to Europe requires a valid passport with photo. Carry it on your person, but have a photocopy of the main page in your luggage. Save time and trouble by making several extra wallet-size photos in color. Many resorts require a photo on lift passes of three or more days. Don’t be waiting in the photo line when your friends are headed for the lifts.
Have a driver’s license, better yet an International Driving Permit that can be purchased from an automobile association. Some European locations, particularly in Italy, demand it from drivers of rental cars.
Make sure you are covered for auto accidents by your domestic insurance carrier or credit card company. But you may still want to think about buying collision coverage to avoid possible red tape hassles.
Obtain a map of the country and the region. The larger the scale, the more the detail and the more fun you will have in identifying mountains and locating other ski areas to sample.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
European countries have excellent roads—local, state and national superhighways. Autobahns in Germany and Switzerland are free, but most Autostrade in Italy have tolls. A car entering Switzerland from another country must pay about $30 for a special sticker authorizing travel on the superhighways.
Nearly all ski areas have fine bus transportation to move the local population and visiting skiers. The ski pass lets the skier ride free.
Gateway cities have bus service between the airport or main train station and major resorts.
Train systems are always eye-openers to Americans. They are clean, high speed and they run on time. Where trains do not go, efficient alpine bus service exists. Rail passes purchased from a travel agent before you leave home allow unlimited travel on trains and postal buses. They also earn discounts on certain uphill conveyances in ski areas.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels are divided into “stars,” up to five. Each category rises in amenities—in price. Rates are fixed in agreement with tourist boards and other agencies.
Prices vary by season: low season rates apply in early December, three weeks of January and often late in the season. They go up during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday and the high season months of February and March.
Reservations can be made in the United States through travel agencies, hotel representatives or by writing directly to the hotel. For people who like to play it by ear, every town has a tourist office ready to help a skier find a room.
Every major city and many less-than-major ones with train stations provide a convenient baggage check at the station for a day or a month. Each station also has a tourist information stand to help with lodging and dining information at no charge. It’s a very useful service.
TRIP INSURANCE
Consider a comprehensive plan for personal coverage of emergency assistance, medical expenses, lost luggage and trip cancellation or interruption.
Skiers should make sure the insurance covers a helicopter evacuation from a mountain top. There are no free ski patrol sled rides for injured skiers.
CURRENCY
Buying foreign money in a U.S. airport is a bad idea. Wait until you get to Europe. Dollars will cover arrival tips and incidentals. The advent of the euro as a common currency throughout much of Europe makes money changing redundant and lets you get a better fix on just what you're paying. Blue Book staffers don't carry a lot of cash and prefer to use automated teller machines that are found everywhere. They give the best rate, but make sure you know the PIN number of your card.
LIFT TICKETS
Inquire about multiple day-lift tickets. Two, three and six-day rates may represent substantial savings.
In major areas where several mountains and connecting ski circuses exist, make sure the ticket you buy covers all areas you want to ski. Ask whether the ticket price includes bus shuttles or other add-ons.
If you do not feel the need to maximize the number of runs in a day, check to see if individual ride tickets meet your needs. Some areas have single ride coupons, in addition to day and half-day tickets.
SKI SCHOOLS
These schools are among the best in the world. Their cadres can take toddlers in tow or lead advanced skiers into deep snow, where they learn that “expert” means being able to handle all snow conditions well.
LANGUAGE
Don’t worry about language differences. Ski schools, restaurants, and shops usually have English-speaking personnel. But it would be advantageous to learn some basic phrases before leaving home. You will enjoy using the new language and the natives will be delighted when you make an effort to talk in their tongue.
MISCELLANEOUS
Although they are universally known, credit cards are sometimes not accepted. Some resorts, particularly in Austria, rebel against fees charged by credit card companies. Do not take for granted that your credit card is welcomed for lodging, food and ski activities. Also, and very important in these times, you should recognize that it is not enough to know that your American Express, Master Card, Visa or other credit card has been lost or stolen. You need to know the name of the bank, airline or whoever issued the card to you. Otherwise you will spend valuable sightseeing or skiing time trying to cancel or replace the card.
Travelers on the Swiss International Airline can check cumbersome ski equipment from their U.S. gateway direct to the train or bus station at your Swiss resort. This check- through may be even more important on the way home, if skiers want to spend time sightseeing in major cities.
Duty free shops are in all major airports.
The Alps usually do not have the extreme cold temperatures felt by skiers in American and Canadian resorts. Plan to dress in layers to be warm, yet be able to shed clothing as the sun warms things up.
Other helpful hints are incorporated in the narratives that precede each section of this book and also at the end of each resort.
PACK LIST
For skiing: skis, poles and boots… ski outfit of parka and pants or suit… shell or vest… ski hat and headband… gloves or mittens (ski and casual)… goggles and sunglasses… thermal underwear… wool socks… ski sweaters… turtlenecks… neck gaiter/face mask… fannypack . . . after-ski boots.
For après ski: women should have blouses or sweater, skirts or slacks and dress shoes. Men need a sport jacket, slacks and tie (for casinos) and dress shoes.
Additional items are: underwear… swimsuit… cosmetics… sun cream… chapstick… extra drug prescriptions… extra eye glasses… camera, film and batteries… toilet articles, including washcloth and soap… laundry soap and small clothes line… converter for electricity… travelers checks.
Travel Tips