ST. MORITZ DOWNHILL AND CROSS COUNTRY SKI HOLIDAY
March 2 to March 11, 2007
The Trip:
Located about four hours southeast of Zurich, the towns of Pontresina, Samedan and St.
Moritz form a triangle at about 5200 feet in the heart of the Swiss Alps. This area, known
as the Upper Engadine (or Graubunden), is a world-famous ski mecca for both alpine and
cross country skiers. Magnificent mountains over 11,000 ft. soar over both sides of a
long, wide valley, dotted with lakes, picturesque villages, and side valleys. At these
altitudes, snow is usually reliable. This area boasts incredibly diverse skiing -- from
novice to challenging -- as well as a swinging nightlife. In addition to skiers, this trip
will appeal to winter walkers, skaters, sledders, photographers, and lovers of fine cuisine,
wines, chocolates and camaraderie. Replacing the original local language of Romansch,
German is now the principal language of this region, but almost everyone speaks English
as well as French and Italian, so you'll have little or no trouble being understood.
To maximize our Swiss skiing time, we leave for Zurich on Friday evening either from
Boston's Logan or New York's JFK Airports. From Zurich Airport, we travel by chartered
bus to our three-star hotel in Pontresina, a colorful Engadine village just minutes away
from St. Moritz, arriving around 2:00 PM Saturday. We’ll get settled in, buy our ski
passes, and rest up for the next week’s activities.
Alpine Skiing:
The Upper Engadine boasts 250 miles of well-marked, groomed downhill runs on six
major mountains with 57 lifts, mostly cable cars and mountain trains. The vertical drop is
5,135 ft., from an altitude of 10,834 ft. The longest run is 6 miles. 25% of the downhill
slopes are rated Beginner (Blue): 50% Intermediate (Red); and 25% Expert (Black). An
excellent transportation network of trains and buses, at no extra cost with the purchase of
your downhill ski pass, interconnects all the mountain base stations and villages.
Cross Country Skiing:
130 miles of groomed XC trails tempt XC classic skiers of all levels. Alongside at least
half of these trails run broad skating-style XC trails. So you can take your pick! Some of
the terrain features gradual rises and falls, often wending over lakes. Others such as the
Engadine marathon, contain challenging hills. Light waxless touring skis and boots with
good support are the equipment of choice. If some off-trail skiing appeals to you, bring
firmer boots and backcountry skis. Wherever we go, we'll find relaxing restaurants
offering wonderful food with sun terraces for lunch or snacks. Some of our favorite XC
trails are:
 Rosegg Valley to the Hotel Roseggletscher (14 km roundtrip). Admire the
spectacular peaks and the Rosegg Glacier. Have lunch. Or add a 5 km. loop up to the
glacier.
 Bus to Maloja and ski over pine-covered slopes and several lakes back to St. Moritz.
 Ski parts of the 42-km. Engadine Marathon course.
Other Attractions:
The St. Moritz-Samedan-Pontresina area has many attractions in addition to skiing:
Winter walking on 125 miles of plowed paths, most in close proximity to the
Cross country trails and two leading to glaciers
Free outdoor ice skating and curling
Sledding at Muottas Muragl and between Prada and Berguns -- 5 km.
Romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides up beautiful side valleys
Snowshoeing guided tour trips
Many lively and friendly bars and discos
Charming tea/coffee houses with tempting pastries
Nearby indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool
Folk Museums and the local painter Segatini Museum
Day trips to the medieval town of Poschiavo, Italy on the Bernina Express train.
Our groups include both singles and couples, usually ranging in age from 35 to 65.
Occasionally we've have participants who are younger or older, and families. We
encourage everyone to socialize at meals, get to know all the other participants, and share
apres-ski activities. Of course, you're always free to take a rest day or pursue your own
interests whenever you choose. Flexibility and diversity are important to your enjoyment
of your vacation! We encourage your individual contributions of capabilities, cooperation
and good humor to enrich the group's experience.
Trip Cost:
The trip cost is $2395 per person, double occupancy.
Costs covered are:
 Round trip economy fare to and from Zurich Airport.
 Charter bus round trip between Zurich Airport and Pontresina Sporthotel.
 All breakfasts and dinners.
 All accommodations, including tax, service charge, and tips, on a double occupancy
basis.
Costs not covered are:
 Lunches. We can make our own or stop for a restaurant lunch.
 Mineral water, alcoholic beverages, and after-dinner tea or coffee, since individual
tastes here vary.
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XC ski pass is about $30 for the week, plus $2 for XC trail map.
Alpine skiers' all-lift regional pass runs about $300 for 7 days for adults. A 6-out-of 8 days adult ski pass runs about $280, in case you plan to take a day off for rest or
sight-seeing. Free bus, rail and swimming pool are included. Prices quoted are last
year’s at prevailing exchange rate then
Bus or train fare for XC skiers. There is a regional pass for about $60 per person for
7 days and $35 for 3 days
Entrance fees to museums, concerts, or other activities.
Ski school and/or guide fees.
The trip will be run on a non-profit basis; funds paid in excess of actual expenses and a
modest 10% of the expenses (excluding air transportation) contribution to the AMC will
be refunded to the participants. The price assumes plane tickets may be purchased on a
favorable basis quoted by our travel agent, who cautions that the best prices will
disappear as time passes. Please keep in mind that if the leaders have to pay a wide
variety of ticket prices for the participants, those whose tickets are less expensive will
receive larger refunds if trip expenses are less than anticipated. The trip costs may go up
or down depending on the exchange rate. Since we cannot control the exchange rate we
may increase the trip price to cover costs if US$ drops below the estimated rate used in
cost calculations. The reverse is also true and refunds may be possible. As leaders, our
goals for the group are to have fun, stretch your skills, and savor a foreign culture safely,
easily, at reasonable cost and in the company of other adventurers with similar interests.
Ski Abilities:
XC skiers should be in good physical condition and be good intermediate skiers. XC
skiers must have solid technical skills (as a minimum, herring-boning up steep hills,
strong snow plowing and turning for downhill control, smooth striding and gliding, and
stamina for 12-20 km per day).
Alpine skiers should be able to ski intermediate trails comfortably, using stem christie or
preferably parallel technique, at reasonable speed and under control over both smooth
and moguled slopes. Moreover, you should have sufficient technique to be able to
descend black diamond trails or double black diamond trails safely, even if with less style
and speed, and manage a variety of high-speed lifts. In the Alps slopes are typically
broad, long, and sometimes steep.
Participants who are less advanced or much more advanced than the above technical
levels can ski on their own or join a ski school class (these are offered Monday through
Friday at reasonable cost). We'll be happy to assist with recommendations.
Accommodations
We'll be staying at the attractive three-star Pontresina Sporthotel (80 rooms) which is
conveniently located near shops, tea rooms, and other hotels. The frequent inter-village
buses and ski bus stop just down the street and the Pontresina train station is a 5-minute
walk down the hill. Nearby are the Pontresina XC Ski Center and the start of several
beautiful XC ski trails are just a short walk away.
The Pontresina Sporthotel has newly renovated rooms, all with private bath; a piano bar
and large lounge on the first floor where we meet for drinks before dinner, a beautiful
fitness center overlooking the mountains featuring a sauna with aromatherapy, whirlpool,
steam bath,, and solarium, and a fine dining room. You can see pictures of the Sporthotel
on the internet at www.pontresina-sport.ch
We've reserved double rooms, each with private bath, telephone, and TV. If you're
traveling alone, we'll match you with another participant to share a double room. There
are a few single rooms available, but they require a single supplement.
Meals:
The hotel food is above average in quality and preparation. Full buffet breakfast includes
juices, fresh fruits, cereal, muesli, milk, yogurt, outstanding regional breads, cheeses and
coldcuts, jams, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Every evening we’ll have a five course dinner
(appetizer, soup, salad buffet, main course, dessert). An alternate “wellness” (vegetarian)
main course is available if ordered at breakfast time.
Transportation:
The trip will start and finish at major east coast airports. Tickets from Boston, Newark,
and JFK are available; other major airports may be possible. We will leave the US
Friday night March 2nd, and return to the US on Sunday March 11th, 2007.
We will make flight arrangements. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Europe,
either before or after our trip, let us know prior to booking the tickets and we will alter
your departure and return dates. Once you have received your ticket, it will be your
responsibility to maintain and/or alter it, if necessary.
Leaders
Ken Samoylenko has been a member of the AMC since 1992. He took Leadership
training in 1998, and Major Excursion training in 2003. He is an active bike,
ski and canoe/kayak weekend trip leader. He has extensive experience in both alpine and
xc skiing, having participated in numerous trips to Europe, Canada, and Western US. He
has been on this trip five times, last two years as a leader. He knows the St. Moritz area
well. This will be his fourth year as a leader/co leader for this trip. In the recent years he
co-lead ski trips to Utah and Zermatt with Phil Mecagni and Mike Tannert.
Karen Deady has been a member of the AMC since 1993. She took leader training in
1999 and Major excursion training in 2003. She co-lead the St. Moritz trip in 2005 and
2006 with Ken. She is also an active ski weekend trip leader, running several 3-4 day
trips throughout the year. Two years ago she co-lead a week long xc trip with Ken to Far
Hills Inn in Quebec. She also co-leads biking and hiking weekend trips and kayak/canoe
day trips.
Application
To apply, send a completed and signed Application and a $500 deposit check to Ken
Samoylenko, 256 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742. Make checks payable to “AMC
Major Excursion”. A leader will contact you by phone, upon receiving your application
and deposit. Once an acceptance decision has been made, a leader will again contact you.
Your deposit check will not be cashed until your application is accepted. The second and
final payment: $1895.00 is due in by Nov. 15, 2006.
Questionnaire
This application is also a Questionnaire to be approved by a trip leader. The leaders
review the qualifications of the applicants, and approve all participants. Primary
concerns are that prospective participants have enough skiing experience, proper
conditioning, and have suitable gear.
Trip Size and Wait List
The trip is limited to 20, including the leaders, who reserve the right to select a smaller
group. Once the trip is full, prospective participants may be accepted to a wait list. The
deposit for wait listed participants is $500. If an accepted participant cancels, the leaders
will look first to the wait list for an additional participant. The $500 wait list deposit will
be refunded to prospective participants not offered a space on the trip.
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Refundable Amounts, if cancellation is received in writing by the dates below, are:
Date of Cancellation
Up thru Nov 15, 2006
Nov 16 thru Dec 31, 2006
Jan 1 – Feb 11, 2007
Replacement Found
$450
$1000 + ticket
$1000 + ticket
Replacement not found
$450
$500 + ticket
$200 + ticket
Trip Insurance:
AMC now provides an excellent Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance which is
included in the cost of your trip
An optional Travel Insurance is highly recommended, since job requirements, illness,
accidents or a death in the family can interfere with your travel plans. We will provide
information on how to obtain trip insurance through the AMC.
Important Notice:
To extend our time spent in St. Moritz/Pontresina area, we will leave the hotel on Sunday
at 6:30AM (the time may change) to be on time to board our airplanes in Zurich. There is
a slight risk that we will not be able to leave because of adverse weather conditions, since
we have to go through a mountain pass. If this happens, we will not be able to board our
planes on Sunday morning. This in turn will mean additional costs (extra night in a hotel,
change in flight schedules). These expenses are not covered in the trip charge. Please be
aware of this potential, weather-related change in departure plans. The alternative is to
leave on Saturday afternoon and spent the night in Zurich. This will mean one less day of
skiing. Since ski time is very important to you, the leaders decided to take this very small
risk and leave on Sunday, instead of Saturday. Ken has been on this trip for five years in
a row and this problem never occurred.
St. Moritz Ski Trip 2007 Application
Name:
Date:
Street Address:
Home Phone:
City, State, Zip:
Work Phone:
E-mail Address:
Fax Phone:
Birthdate:
Sex:
AMC Member. Yes / No
Height:
Weight:
Membership # and exp date:
Will you be skiing: XC or Downhill (or both) ? Describe your ski control skills:
List some recent skiing experiences, with dates :
Other recent AMC or group trips/activities:
Describe any environmental knowledge, or other knowledge/talents you’d be willing to
share:
Describe any special medical, physical or dietary considerations:
Information you wish to provide for the leaders, noting anything you wish to confidential:
Please remember that the accuracy of the above information will impact all in the group
during the trip. Use the back of this form if needed.
Mail with your deposit to:
Ken Samoylenko, 256 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742
Please enter following info exactly as it appears on your
passport
Date of issue
Name
Nickname (if any)
Passport #
Expiration Date
CITIZENSHIP
OCCUPATION
(This information will be kept in strict confidence and will be only shared if required to
purchase airline tickets)
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS:
I'll be rooming with ____________________________________, or
I want to be matched with a roommate____________________, or
I prefer a single room ____________________________________ (single supplement is
estimated at $100, and only a few single rooms are available.)
I (we) prefer: Twin beds___________ A double bed ______________(Note: most Swiss
hotel beds are like two twin-bed mattresses, with individual sheets and feather-beds [duvets],
located side by side on a single large bed-frame. A few twin beds as we know them in the
U.S. may be available.)
Do you snore? (be honest)____________________________________