Update: 1/10/23. This trip is fully sold out. Snow Tours cancellation policy is in full effect at this time. See the Questions/Answers section at the bottom for additional trip info.
SKIING IN VAL D'ISÈRE, FRANCE
CARNIVAL IN NICE, FRANCE
February 10 – 21, 2023
https://www.valdisere.com/en/ski/
https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/en/news/nice-carnival-2023-dates-and-theme/
Val d’Isère, when combined with neighboring Tignes, is one of the world’s largest ski areas. It
offers 25,000 acres of skiable terrain (combine Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Big Sky, and Vail to get a sense of its vastness!), over 6,000 feet of vertical drop, 76 lifts, 163 marked runs (13% beginner, 41% intermediate, 25% advanced, and 21% expert) plus nearly endless off-piste opportunities. The lively town sits at an altitude of 6,000 feet and receives exceptional snow coverage with a long season that runs from late November to early May. There are also miles of Nordic, snowshoeing, and walking trails. For further adventures, consider dog sledding, electric mountain biking, ice floating, moonbiking, snowmobiling, ice skating, and more. A free bus service operates to and from the slopes and around the village during the day and evenings. The 3-star Hotel La Savoyarde (www.la-savoyarde.com) is well-located in the village just 100 yards from the nearest lifts. It features a restaurant, bar, wellness area (sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and fitness area), ski lockers, and free WIFI.
After our week in the Alps, we’ll travel by private motor coach to the south of France to enjoy three nights in Nice where we will celebrate the 150th year of Nice Carnival. This is the hottest event of the Riviera winter and one of the world’s largest carnivals! The 4-star Aston La Scala (www.hotel-aston.com/en/) is in the center of town just five minutes from the beach.
Registration will be required in two places: Here, once registration is opened, and directly with the travel agency, Snow Tours. Payment will be direct to Snow Tours. (Many of you know our long time Snow Tours agent, Monica Voltz. She has retired, and this trip has been organized by the owner of Snow Tours, Guido Papa.) The trip is closed, this was the flyer: Val d'Isere Flyer & Sign Up
Due to the sad and untimely passing of our long-time Europe trip leader, Jerry Fitts, new trip leaders are:
Trip Leader: Jim Anderson, email: Jimasnojoke@gmail.com, phone: 253-951-4998
Co-Trip Leader: Kary York, email: kary84@comcast.net, phone: 425-417-2244
Package includes:
Round-trip airfare on Lufthansa from Seattle to Geneva and from Nice to Seattle
Private motor coach transfers throughout tour:
Geneva Airport to Val d’Isere hotel, 11FEB
Val d’Isere hotel to Nice hotel, 18FEB
Nice hotel to Nice Airport, 21FEB
7 nights lodging in Val d’Isere at 3-star Hotel La Savoyarde, IN11FEB OUT18FEB
3 nights lodging in Nice at 4-star Hotel Aston La Scala, IN18FEB OUT21FEB
Buffet breakfast and four-course dinner daily in Val d’Isere
Buffet breakfast daily in Nice (sack breakfast on departure morning)
All local taxes in Val d’Isere and Nice
Bus driver tips
Airfare fuel surcharge ($400, guaranteed by airline)
Air taxes ($168, subject to change by airline)
Val d'Isère: 3-star Hotel La Savoyarde (www.la-savoyarde.com)
Space for thirty (30) people is reserved for our group, 11FEB OUT18FEB
Eight (8) Twin/Double rooms, north side, bathroom with tub/shower or shower only
Four (4) Twin/Double rooms, south side, facing the slopes, with balcony, bathroom with tub/shower
Six (6) single rooms, north side, bathroom with shower
The 3-star Hotel La Savoyarde is well-located in the village just a short walk the nearest lift. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, ski lockers, and wellness area. The wellness and spa area (free to hotel guests) contains a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and fitness area. Free WIFI is offered throughout the hotel.
Nice: 4-star Hotel Aston La Scala (www.hotel-aston.com)
Space for thirty (30) people is reserved for our group, IN18FEB OUT21FEB
TWELVE (12) Comfort Twin/Double rooms (1 king bed or 2 twin beds)
SIX (6) Comfort Twin/Double rooms for single occupancy (1 king bed or 2 twin beds)
The 4-star Hotel Aston La Scala contains 149 rooms and is situated in the center of town just five minutes from the beach. It features a restaurant, lounge, rooftop bar (may not be open in winter), and fitness room. Free WIFI is offered throughout the hotel.
Flights:
United and Lufthansa - We are now flying through San Francisco to Frankfort instead of direct due to the airline cancelling our original flight.
United MileagePlus is valid with Lufthansa.
Note that Lufthansa's ski baggage charges are much more expensive than renting skis. If your ski bag is no longer than 5'2" the charge is $285 each way. If your bag is longer the charge is $460 each way. RENT SKIS at Val d'Isere.
Lufthansa weights your carry-on baggage! If it weights more than 8kg (17+ lbs) it must be checked at an additional charge.
Prices are per person based on double or single occupancy.
$3832 per person, double occupancy in NORTH-facing room (2 twin beds or 1 king bed)
$4062 per person, double occupancy in SOUTH-facing room in Val d’Isere (2 twin beds or 1 king bed)
$4700 per person, single occupancy in NORTH-facing room in Val d’Isere
$40 additional for non-members of the S'noJoke Ski Club.
Prices are per person, in USD, based on a minimum group size of 20 paying participants and an exchange rate of EUR 1.00 = USD 1.09. Should group size fall between 15 and 19 paying participants, price will increase by $121 per person to cover increased transfer costs. The exchange rate is NOT guaranteed.
Questions/Answers: Additional trip Info from Guido at Snow Tours. This is what we know as of 1/10/23.
Main Flight: We fly on United and Lufthansa. The flight will be Seattle to San Francisco to Frankfort, to Geneva, and return is Geneva to Frankfurt, to Seattle. E tics have been issued and you will receive an email from Jim with your personal ticketing info on 1/9/23. Since we have group air, we do not get to pick our seats or upgrade seat selection.
For those on Snojoke group air only: This is a copy of Jim's email below that went out 1-10-23; for privacy reasons, it does not include seat assignments; consult the email you received for that info:
Plan on getting to the airport 2 ½ to 3 hours prior to departure.
Since we are on two different carriers (United from Seattle to San Francisco and Lufthansa from San Francisco to Europe), we may not be able to check in online prior to the trip.
To see your personal itinerary, go to United.com, type in your confirmation code NVREC7 and your last name. Please note, your seat assignments for the Lufthansa portion of the trip are made, however you won’t see them on the United website. Your seat assignments have been made by Snow Tours and are listed for each flight below. You will not be able to change/upgrade these because this is group air.
When physically checking in for your flight in Seattle, go to the United kiosk and use the NVREC7 code. Since everyone is on the same reservation, you will need to provide your last name as well as this code. Make sure that your bags are checked through to Geneva when talking to United agent.
On the return trip use the RWXJSC code with Lufthansa and make sure your bags are checked through to Seattle.
Full flight information is listed below. This includes all the seat assignments. Note: this information is listed by seat number not alphabetical.
FLIGHT UA 2652 - UNITED AIRLINES FRI 10 FEBRUARY 2023
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DEPARTURE: SEATTLE, WA (SEATTLE TACOMA INTL) FEB 09:24A
ARRIVAL: SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SAN FRANCISCO INTL), TERMINAL 3, 10 FEB 11:38A
FLIGHT BOOKING REF: NVREC7
RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (S) DURATION: 02:14
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1PC
NO MEAL SERVICE
NON STOP SEATTLE, WA TO SAN FRANCISCO, EQUIPMENT: BOEING 737 MAX 9
FLIGHT LH 455 - LUFTHANSA FRI 10 FEBRUARY 2023
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DEPARTURE: SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SAN FRANCISCO INTL), TERMINAL I - 10 FEB 02:40P INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
ARRIVAL: FRANKFURT, DE (FRANKFURT INTL), TERMINAL 1, 11 FEB 10:25A
FLIGHT BOOKING REF: RWXJSC
RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (S) DURATION: 10:45
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1PC
MEAL: MEAL/REFRESHMENTS
NON STOP SAN FRANCISCO, CA TO FRANKFURT EQUIPMENT: BOEING 747-8
FLIGHT LH 1216 - LUFTHANSA SAT 11 FEBRUARY 2023 OPERATED BY: LUFTHANSA CITYLINE, CL
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DEPARTURE: FRANKFURT, DE (FRANKFURT INTL), TERMINAL 1 11 FEB 11:55A
ARRIVAL: GENEVA, CH (GENEVA INTERNATIONAL), TERMINAL 1 11 FEB 01:00P
FLIGHT BOOKING REF: RWXJSC
RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (S) DURATION: 01:05
MEAL: REFRESHMENTS
NON STOP FRANKFURT TO GENEVA
EQUIPMENT: CANADAIR REGIONAL JET 900
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1PC
FLIGHT LH 1069 - LUFTHANSA TUE 21 FEBRUARY 2023
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DEPARTURE: NICE, FR (COTE D AZUR), TERMINAL 1 - AEROGARE 1 21 FEB 06:45A
ARRIVAL: FRANKFURT, DE (FRANKFURT INTL), TERMINAL 1, 21 FEB 08:20A
FLIGHT BOOKING REF: RWXJSC
RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (L) DURATION: 01:35
MEAL: FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR PURCHASE/REFRESHMENTS
NON STOP NICE TO FRANKFURT
EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A320NEO
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1PC
FLIGHT LH 490 - LUFTHANSA TUE 21 FEBRUARY 2023
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DEPARTURE: FRANKFURT, DE (FRANKFURT INTL), TERMINAL 1, 21 FEB 10:35A
ARRIVAL: SEATTLE, WA (SEATTLE TACOMA INTL), 21 FEB 12:20P
FLIGHT BOOKING REF: RWXJSC
RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (L), DURATION: 10:45
MEAL: MEAL/REFRESHMENTS
NON STOP FRANKFURT TO SEATTLE, WA
EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A340-300
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: 1PC
Note: if you made alternative flight plans with Snow Tours, Guido will send you your info. Please work with him directly if there are any errors.
You are allowed one free bag up to 50 pounds with Lufthansa. Note, sometimes gate agents will come by at the gate and ask to weigh/measure your carry on, so respect the limits please.
Geneva Arrival: After we get through customs, our driver will meet us and escort us to the bus. The bus will depart as soon as we are loaded and have proper headcount. For those who are meeting our flight, we do not have an exact location as to where the bus will be yet. Stay tuned for this info as it becomes available. It is about 3.5 hours on the bus to the resort. It is advised that you bring along some "road food" for the trip as we will not be stopping for a meal. We are scheduled for dinner that night at 7 pm at our hotel.
Lift tickets: Lift tickets are not part of the package. There are 2 options. You can have Guido purchase them for you or you can buy your own in advance. There is no cost difference. We do not have the exact price of lift tics yet, but expect them to be about $60 Euros/day. One pass will allow you to ski at both Val d'lsere and Tignes.
Renting skis in France. Due to the heavy cost of bringing your skis with you and also the chances of them not arriving due to taking 3 planes, we are strongly encouraging that you rent skis in France. There are 4 ski rental shops within a block or so of our hotel. We will be getting a list of these shops soon from Guido. The ski shops typically offer groups 15% to 20% off. Shops are typically open till 8 pm. We will be arriving at the hotel hopefully with enough time to obtain skis as soon as you get checked in. We are also looking into the possibility of advance online rental sign up. Guido is going to get back to us on this. We do not have exact pricing yet for ski rental.
Shipping your skis to the hotel ahead of time: This can be done. We will not be involved with this process and encourage you to research this option on your own. From some preliminary research, it appears to be nearly as expensive as bringing them on the plane.
Hiring a guide: It will be about $500 Euro per day. Guido said they book up fast, so he advises to book in advance. Guido can help you do this via the ticket office. Contract him directly to arrange a guide.
Free guided tour of the mountain on the first day: We are looking into the option of a first day free guided tour of the mountain. Check back for additional info on this as it becomes available.
Skiing between mountains: There is a skier cross between the mountains. Lifts close about 4 pm. Shuttles do not run that late according to Guido, so if you miss last lift, you will need to take a taxi. It is not that expensive if you share with others.
Ski/boot storage at the hotel: There is a ski locker for every 2 people (per room for skis and boots) at the hotel, you do not need your own lock. It is a heated room.
Communication at the hotel: We are checking to see if we will be able to have a message board for our group at the hotel. We have also requested a master room list showing room number and occupants to be included with check in packet.
Other non-ski activities at the resort: We are working with Guido on this and will post info when it becomes available.
Activities Info for Nice Hotel and Carnival: We are working with Guido still on this info. Stay tuned for further details.
Covid vax/testing requirements: There are no restrictions at this time.
Communicating via cell in France: Depending on your cell carrier, there are options. You can pay a daily travel pass rate, you can obtain a local SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid card, or you can also utilize What's App. We have free Wifi in the hotels, need to find out what is available on the mountain.
From Google: Can any U.S. Cell Phone Work in France? France, like most countries in the world, uses GSM (Global System for Mobile) for cell phone communications. This is why your phone has to be GSM compatible to function in France. In the United States, Sprint (now T-Mobile) and Verizon use a different system called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). First, you need to find out if your current phone works internationally. If your phone has the 900 and the 1800 MHz networks, it will work in France with your current carrier. Many of AT&T’s and T-mobile phones do have these extra networks for international use. Verizon offers a $10/day France Travel pass. Contact your Carrier NOW to figure out what will work best for you.
Credit cards, tipping, and money use in France: The Euro is pretty close on par with the US dollar right now. France is a bargain right now, but be prepared, things are still expensive over there and we are staying at one of the more expensive European ski resorts. It can be 6 Euros+ at a coffee stand. You can use your credit card all over but is also good to carry Euros too. Bring 2 credit cards just in case and take a photocopy of them and your passport that you can stash in your suitcase in case of a loss. Don't rely on your phone for pics! Also, contact your credit card company before you go to let them know you will be in France so that you do not get declined over there.
France doesn't tip like we do in the US. From Google: Tipping at restaurants is not required. Restaurants charge a government mandated service charge, labelled service compris, which allows the restaurant to pay their servers a living wage. If you want to leave a tip for good service round up to the next euro on a small bill or add a few euros to a larger bill.
Plug Adapters needed in France: From Google: In France, types C and E are the official standards. Since type F plugs are identical to type E plugs, they can also be used with French type E sockets. What is the mains voltage in France? Just like the rest of Europe, the voltage in France is 230 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz. France has standardized on type E sockets and plugs. Amazon sells these. Europe uses USB-C. You might want to have a couple plug adapters and not just one if you have many things to plug in and are sharing a room.
Laundry Service: at Val D'Isere: the hotel offers pick up/delivery laundry service within 48 hours. In Nice it is available on request, items charged individually, there is no self-laundry at either hotel.