Ischgl-Samnaun, Austria
TSC Winter Expedition Ski Trip
January 20 - 28, 2023
Trip is SOLD OUT ~ Wait List Only
Trip Leader: Marlene Heineman ~ 972-989-0166 ~ MarleneH24@aol.com
Assistant Trip Leader: Kim Downs ~ 469-556-6881 ~ kimkayedowns@yahoo.com
Ischgl is a town in the Paznaun valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It's ski resort is connected with that of Samnaun, across the border in Switzerland to form one of the largest in the Alps!
In the post-war years, valuable contraband was smuggled across almost all borders. There are three "Smuggler Runs" in the area which were used for just this purpose. The increased tourism of the 1950's finally put an end to contraband trade between Austria and Switzerland. An interesting note - the first ski lift in Ischgl was built in 1952 and was partially financed by the profits that were made from the contraband trade! Nowadays, the route is not used for smuggling - instead people ski on it! Depending on skill level, we can choose between the GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE routes for a fun day! More details about the Smuggler Runs later!
Lodging:
We'll be staying at the 4* Hotel Seiblishof. Daily Breakfast & Dinner is included at our hotel. All rooms are newly designed & renovated - noble oak natural wood floors, slate and granite, elegant and comfortable hotel beds with extra high core mattresses, modern design lighting, hotel TV entertainment system with SKY. First Minibar filling is included, snacks and cake specialties in the afternoon, and access to the VIP Lounge for free drinks and snacks! We'll also have free use of the spacious Seiblishof SPAs with: Crystal indoor pool, Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, herbal stream bath, brines steam bath, infrared cabin, quiet room with waterbeds, Kneipp area and outdoor area, water fountain and tea bar, gym with Technogym equipment. A Spa-Bag with a cozy bathrobe - towels and slipper are included for our use. Wifi throughout the hotel.
www.seiblishof.com/en
Prices - We only have these Land Only options available - you will need to get your own air (contact Marlene if you need any help):
$2,150 - Land Only per person - Jr Suite room, double occupancy only. Please meet the group at the Munich aiport on January 21 at 7:10* am in order to ride our shuttle/bus from the airport to Ischgl.
$2,100 - Land Only per person - Deluxe Double room, double occupancy only. Please meet the group at the Munich airport on January 21 at 7:10 am* in order to ride our shutte/bus from the airport to Ischgl.
$2,830 - Land Only per person - Deluxe DUS room, single occupancy only. Please meet the group at the Munich airport on January 21 at 7:10 am* in order to ride our shuttle/bus from the airport to the Ischgl.
*This time is subject to change and may be a bit later - won't be any earlier.
Suggested flight Information - most of our group will be on these AA flights:
Flying on American Airlines, thru Charlotte to Munich.
1/20 #784 Depart DFW 10:23 am - Arrive CLT 1:49 pm
#716 Depart CLT 4:25 pm - Arrive MUC 7:10 am+
1/28 #717 Depart MUC 10:20 am - Arrive CLT 2:55 pm
#2573 Depart CLT 6 pm - Arrive DFW 8:01 pm
or continue to Zurich for Post-Trip option.
Note - Please re-check your flights. AA has twice changed our DFW departure to a 12:20 pm flight, which only gives you 43 minutes in CLT to connect to our Munich flight. If this has happened to you, you will want to call AA at 800-433-7300 to get the 10:23 am flight back on your itinerary.
Trip highlights include:
Round Trip transfers from Munich Airport to our hotel in Ischgl in private motor coach - meet the group at the MUC airport on Jan 21 at 7:10 am for the ride to Ischgl.
The Seiblishof Hotel - 4****
Varied breakfast buffet daily til 10:30 am.
Dinner daily at our hotel each evening 7 til 9 pm.
Welcome Party at Hotel Seiblishof Sunday.
Optional Day Tours - see below.
Swimming pools and Spa facilities.
LT prices updated 10-11-22.
Note - Except for the 5 of 7 days lift ticket, all these lift tickets are for consecutive days - plan accordingly.
VIP Lift Tickets - good only at Ischgl & Samnaun:
|
|
Adult
|
Senior 64+
|
|
1 day Lift Ticket
|
$ 89
|
$ 89
|
|
2 Consecutive days
|
$165
|
$165
|
|
3 Consecutive days
|
$233
|
$233
|
| 4 Consecutive days |
$285 |
$270 |
| 5 of 7 days |
$334 |
$301 |
| 6 Consecutive days |
$359 |
$326 |
Silvretta Ski Pass: Includes Ischgl & Samnaun, plus Galtur*, Kappl* & See* ski areas which are nearby.
*you will need to take the short ski bus from Ischgl for Galtur (20 minutes), Kappl (15 minutes) & See (20 minutes, but not really worth it).
|
|
Adult
|
Senior 64+
|
|
1 day Lift Ticket
|
$ 89
|
$ 89
|
|
2 Consecutive days
|
$169
|
$169
|
|
3 Consecutive days
|
$247
|
$247
|
| 4 Consecutive days |
$315 |
$291 |
| 5 of 7 days |
$373 |
$336 |
| 6 Consecutive days |
$435 |
$394 |
Pedestrian Pass Rates:
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One (1) RT Pedestrian Pass
|
$37
|
|
Five (5) RT Pedestrian Pass
|
$126
|
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RT Pass over to Samnaum
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$56
|
Rentals:
We can rent ski equipment at Ischgl-Rent.
Go to: ischgl-rent
We will get a 20% group discount when we book online and use this group code: Group Downs (case sensitive).
They have 3 locations - #3 on their website, Shop CheckIn, is actually at our hotel, so choose this location.
Remember, the code is case sensitive - Group Downs.
Non-Skier Activities:
- Ischgl Museums & Chapels:
- St Anton Day Trip: (for skiers & non-skiers) enjoy a scenic ride up to the top of Valluga Mountain on the Galzigbahn and Vallugabahn Gondolas
- Day trip to Innsbruck, the Capital of the Alps & guided tour of Swarovski Crystal World
- Snowshoeing or Hiking - Snowshoeing & Hiking
- Night Toboggan Run - one of the longest in the Alps - Tobogganing in the Alps
- Natural Ice Rink at the Town Center of Ischgl
- Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
- Water Park with Sauna World at the Silvretta Center Ischgl - Silvretta Center
- Skyfly - Ischgl's zipline! Tickets $55 USD
Travel Insurance - is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.
Our tour operator offers this travel insurance - click here for a quote & easy sign up.
www.csatravelpro.com/WINTERSKITOUR
There are also several other insurance companies which offer travel/trip insurance, so shop around and make sure you understand what is and is not covered. This link searches for the best travel insurance policies:
www.travelinsurance.com
If you get it right after you book your trip, you will be able to 'cancel for any reason'. Don't delay if you want that option.
Payment Schedule:
Deposit: $200 at booking
35% due 9-1-22
35% due 10-15-22
30% (balance) due 12-1-22
Tuesday: Innsbruck & Swarovski Crystal World Museum - $90 per person, includes RT transfers, City Tour, entrance to Swarovski and ALL TIPS.
Depart for Innsbruck at 8 am for 1 1/2 hour drive. Arrive in Innsbruck city center for sight-seeing and a guided tour.
Innsbruck, the Capital of the Alps, delights with its unique wealth of wonderful attractions between 574 and 2,350 meters above sea level! Lunch will be on our own. We'll leave Innsbruck at 1:30 and head to Swarovski Crystal Worlds for a guided tour.
Swarovski Crystal Worlds was opened in 1995 to mark the centennial anniversary of the company's founding. Multimedia artist Andre Heller designed a unique and magical place. This beloved attraction has brought moments of wonder to over fifteen million visitors from all around the world. Visitors are surprised, touched, and perhaps even transformed by crystal in all its facets. The realm of the Giant hosts a rich collection of precious items housed in 17 Chambers of Wonder. Here, in a world of fantasy inspired and designed by some of the world's greatest artists, visitors can believe in miracles for just a moment!
We'll head back to Ischgl around 4:30 pm. All tips are included.
Wednesday: Day Trip to St. Anton for Skiers with sight-seeing for Non-Skiers - $50 per person, includes RT transfers and driver tips.
Lift tickets can be purchased at the ticket office once we're there.
Depart at 8:15 am for a 45 minute drive to St Anton. A great day for Skiers and Non-Skiers! Free time where Skiers can enjoy a day of skiing and Non-Skiers can enjoy a stroll in the village and lots of sight-seeing!
St Anton is a truly unique recreation paradise. The cozy little town with 2,470 inhabitants has still maintained its genuine ambiance and charming atmosphere. Relax and unwind at the elevation of 1,300m where crisp and clean mountain air is guaranteed!
The summit of Valluga Mountain at 2,811 meters (9,222 ft) is one of the most stunning views you'll find in Tyrol. Non-Skiers can take a scenic ride up the Valluga Gondolas and enjoy a 360-degree vista of "Three Thousanders", high altitude peaks averaging 3,000 meters in elevation. You'll get a superb panorama of nearly every peak in the Lechtal and Allgau Alps, of the summits along the Verwall Range and of horizon dominating Otztal and Stubai Alps and Silvretta Range. With gondola access straight to the summit, Valluga is a great place to start your day. Located at the top of Valluga Gondola Section II, The Valluga Restaurant is Arlberg Region's highest-lying-sit-down, fine dining experience for lunch, apres ski or dinner.
We'll depart back to Ischgl around 4:30 pm. All tips are included.
Zurich Extension - Post-Trip Option:
January 28 - 31, 2023
Updated Info - 11/6/22
$470 pp double occupancy
$670 pp single occupancy
INCLUDES:
· 3 nights accommodations at the Zurich Hotel Opera - www.operahotel.ch/
· Breakfast buffet daily, free wifi, bottle of Mineral water
· Each room has a Nespresso coffee machine to make coffee or tea
· Check in 3 PM - Check out 11 AM
Hotel Opera is a small luxury hotel uniquely located directly opposite the Zurich Opera House and beautiful Lake Zurich. The vibrant cultural life of Zurich can be found directly on the doorstep of the hotel. The exclusive Bahnhofstrasse shopping street and all the important business districts are within walking distance or can be quickly reached by public transport.
City Tour & Chocolate Tasting - $96 per person - does not include tips.
· City Guided Tour - During our stroll through the City, we will encounter highlights of the City, such as the Lindenhof, a little private park with a view of Old Town, the Grossmunster, and Niederdorfi, or the Bahnhofstrasse, the most famous shopping street in Switzerland. The viewing of Fraumunster Church, with it's tall, stained glass windows, is possible with a surcharge of $5.00. On our way we will hear the story behind the biggest city and Switzerland curiosities.
· Mindful Chocolate Tasting - Includes City Guided Tour (as shown above) and chocolate tastings. The tour will lead through the old town of Zurich, on our way to sweet stops in the city, we will see the highlights of the City, such as the St Peter Church, the Lindenhof, the Fraumunster and other highlights that make this city so beautiful.
A sweet journey that contains degustation of little traditional and innovative creations. This tour will delight all your senses. Slow down and experience chocolate (mindfully) like never before. Enjoy every bit of chocolate that you will taste.