| Tell
us
what destination, accommodations and options appeal to
you so that we can begin to customize your perfect French
Alps vacation package. |
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Traveling
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European
Stopovers in Paris, London, Milan, and other
cities with air or train connections to the
resorts |
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Private
car transfers |
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Helicopter
transfers |
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Small
Plane transfers |
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Airport
Hotels for convenient connections and to extend
your stay |
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Stay
at two different resorts in two weeks |
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Business
class or first class air travel |
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Land
only arrangements |
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Booking
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Ski
& snowboard guides, lessons and adventures
for children & adults at all levels. Bon
Ski carefully matches you with the right professionals. |
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All
Day Adventures
including skiing over to Italy for lunch and
back, Tour of Seven Resorts in one day, La
Foglietta, Glacier de Gébroulaz, BonneVal |
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Heliskiing |
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Heliboarding |
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Ski
Mountaineering |
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Climbing |
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Carving |
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Discounts
on rental equipment from the best shops. |
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Snowshoeing |
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Dogsledding |
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Snowboarding |
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-- ask us about it! |
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Plan
Ahead! It's always best to get your travel requests in as
early as possible. This will insure that we have enough time
to serve all your vacation needs.
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If
you are fit and a good skier, consider our ski
safaris
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Price:
The possibilites are many. Contact
us. We will be happy to discuss your situation and
desires. All Bon Ski consultants travel regularly to France
and all speak both French and English. You will benefit from
our knowledge and first hand experience.
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WHEN
TO COME
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Important
facts to consider:
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1.
When possible, avoid European school
holidays. Prices are lower, conditions are generally
excellent and it's easier to get the accommodation you want.
You will be able to experience the resort in a more relaxed
atmosphere. At peak times, everything is always fully booked
restaurant, classes, etc. |
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The
times to avoid are:
December 23 - January 2
Some hotels in Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens are
still in high demand until January 7 or 8.
February 3 - March 18
For spring skiing in Val Thorens, Tignes and Val d'Isère:
April 1-15 will also be busy. |
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2.
Climate. Why avoid vacationing
in January due to bitter cold temperatures in the Rockies? The
French Alps offer plentiful sunshine and milder weather from
November to May. In fact, January is one of the best times to
come to French Alps, prices are low, the snow is generally excellent
and the resorts are not full. |
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Weather
Conditions for the
"Best of the French Alps" 1998
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Dec
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Total
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| Sunny |
16
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20
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24
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23
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11
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2
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96
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| Cloud
Cover |
6
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7
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2
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5
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14
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1
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35
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| Snow |
8
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3
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2
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3
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5
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21
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| Stormy |
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1
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1
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| Rain,
Fog |
1
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1
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3.
Days of the week: Hotels
and residences in the French Alps work on a Saturday to Saturday
basis. For best availability, try to fit that schedule. |
ROUTE
& METHOD
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Important
facts to consider:
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1.
Air Travel: The closest major airports to the
resorts in Les Trois Vallées and Espace Killy are Lyon
and Geneva. These airports are 3 to 3 ½ hours from the resorts,
more in bad weather. We can arrange for a private car with
driver to meet you at the airport and drive you directly to
your hotel. We can also arrange for helicopter transfers or
small plane transfers from the airport. These methods reduce
the transfer time to approximately 30 minutes; during which
time you are treated to a bird's eye view of the awe-inspiring
summits of the Alps. It is not feasible to take the train
from the airport to these resorts. This takes an entire day
of changing trains and buses.
The closest
airport to the Mont Blanc resorts is Geneva. It is
about one hour away from Megève, a little more for Chamonix.
We can arrange for a private car with driver to meet you at
the airport or for helicopter transfers. By helicopter the
resorts are only 10 minutes away with the added advantage
of spectacular aerial views of the famous peaks of the Alps.
It is possible to take the train from the airport to these
resorts.
Standard
package trips include bus transportation to the resorts from
these airports. This will get you as far as the bus station
in the resort where you can take a shuttle bus or a taxi to
your place of lodging.
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2.
Train Travel: The closest
train stations to Espace Killy and Les Trois Vallées
are about 45 minutes away. We can arrange for a private car
with driver to meet you at the station. You can take the train
virtually all the way to Chamonix and Megève. |
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Knowing
this, consider these possibilites:
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1. Fly
directly from the USA into either Lyon or Geneva. Depart from
the USA Friday afternoon or evening. Arrive at the resorts
Saturday noon time.
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2. Stop over in a European city. Choose which city you want
to use as your European gateway (Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen,
Milan) and spend a few days there on your way to or from the
resorts. If you already have air transportation to Paris or
another European city, we can arrange for connecting flights
or train transportation to the resorts. |
Consider
these travel ideas
to make your trip more comfortable and to enjoy as much time
as possible in the mountain resorts: Airport hotels, private
transfers, car rentals, night trains.
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1.
Airport Hotel in either
Lyon or Geneva. We have selected two hotels: the Sofitel at
Lyon/Satelas airport and Hotel Movenpick in Geneva. |
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 You
would leave the resort Saturday afternoon to arrive at your
hotel Saturday evening for a Sunday morning flight out. The
benefit of this option is enjoying the mountains on Saturday
and having a relaxing evening before your flight out as opposed
to getting up early (this can be 4 or 5 in the morning |
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for a 9 O'clock flight) on Saturday to arrive at the airport
in time for a Saturday morning flight. With the change in time
zones, a Sunday morning flight gets you back in the USA early
Sunday afternoon or evening. We have other hotels available
in the city centers for longer stays. |
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2.
Private car with driver transfers from
the airport. This choice is much more comfortable
and convenient than taking the bus or renting your own car.
We work with transfer companies we know. Our clients consistently
rate them as excellent. We will have a driver (who speaks English)
meet you as you exit customs and take you directly to your hotel.
There will be a prearranged time for pickup from your hotel
for the return. Please note that if you have a morning flight
out of Geneva or Lyon, you will not be able to take a bus. You
must either stay at the airport the night before or take a taxi.
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3.
Helicopter transfers reduce
the travel time to minutes and have the added benefit of spectacular
aerial view of the famous summits of the Alps. Small plane transfers
are available for some resorts. |
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4.
If you are flying to Paris and taking the train, you may be
able to take the night train
back in order to gain an extra day in the mountains. |
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5.
Rent a car. You will not
need a car in the resorts, but you may want to have the freedom
to visit some of the beautiful Baroque architecture and other
cultural attractions nearby (Although there are guided tours
departing from the resorts, and we can arrange visits for groups,
you may want the freedom to move around). You must be comfortable
driving in a foreign country in snowy or icy conditions on winding
mountain roads. Realize you might have to stop and put on chains.
Coming in the springtime, late March or April reduces the chance
of snow or ice on the roads. We will be happy to book car rental
for you. |
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PRICES
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Our
custom packages are created to suit individuals, therefore it
is not possible to quote exact prices. Below are some average
prices for a week in the French Alps. Prices are given for the
low season. On average, prices increase by 15% for the middle
season and by 30% for the high season. Exact dates vary across
resorts and lodging. We approximate them to ease comparison. |
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low
season: December 1 - 23, January 6 -20, April 22
- May 8
middle season: January 20
- February 3, March 18 - April 22
high season: December 23
- January 6, February 3 - March 18 |
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Basic
Packages Include: |
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Roundtrip
Airfare NYC to Geneva or Lyon on Swissair, Sabena or Lufthansa
airlines. |
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Roundtrip
airport Transfers to the resort |
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7
nights accommodation |
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Breakfast
or Breakfast and full course dinners |
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6
day lift passes with skiers' insurance |
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Hotel
taxes and service charges |
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Espace
Killy:
Prices from: $1,190 per person, based on double occupancy |
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Les
Trois Vallées:
Prices from $1,190 per person, based on double occupancy |
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Mont
Blanc:
Prices from $1,080 per person, based on double occupancy |
STOPOVERS
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Paris:
Take full advantage of your trip to Europe by using Paris as
your European gateway city. 4 star Hotel, excellent location:
Approximately $225 per double room per night. 3 star Hotel,
excellent location: Approximately $150 per double room per night. |
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Lyon:
When planning your trip, keep in mind that a ski holiday to
the French Alps creates the perfect opportunity to visit this
fascinating city. This European gateway and Prague are the only
two European cities to have been declared World Heritage Cities.
Lyon has more renaissance architecture anywhere outside of Florence,
and more Roman ruins anywhere outside of Rome. The shopping
and museums here are excellent. And, if that isn't enough to
entice you, it is also the culinary capital of France. 4 star
Grand Hotel in the "Old Town": Approximately $150 per double
room per night. |
| CUSTOM PACKAGES |
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For those
looking for adventure, there
are endless possibilities for daily excursions. And we can
organize them for you. If you prefer a more relaxing day cruising
the slopes with a stop for a gourmet lunch on a sunny terrace,
we can arrange for that as well. In fact, you could even ski
to Italy for lunch and back again. The ski terrains are enormous.
You can ski or ride the entire day and never repeat a run.
Here are
a few examples of French Alps Holidays we can create for you.
Contact us to discuss your custom
trip. We will arrange a custom holiday incorporating your
individual preferences and goals.
We have
quoted prices for January, a good time to come as conditions
are excellent and the lack of European school holidays means
fewer people and lower prices. Ski and Snowboard holidays
are available from December to the second week of May. Climbing
season for Chamonix-Mont Blanc is June through September.
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| Luxury
trip to Courchevel 1850: $15,148 |
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Holiday
includes for two people:
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Round-trip
business class airfare from New York to Geneva |
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Round-trip
small plane transfers from Geneva airport to Courchevel
1850 |
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Seven
days in a suite at a luxury hotel on the slopes with breakfast
and full-course dinners |
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Six-day
lift passes for Les Trois Vallées with mountain insurance |
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High
mountain guide / instructor for 5 days |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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| Ski
Mountaineering in Chamonix: $9,412 |
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Holiday
includes, for two people:
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Round-trip
business class airfare from New York to Geneva |
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Round-trip
private car transfers from Geneva airport to Chamonix |
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Seven
days, double occupancy accommodation in a four star hotel
in the center of town with breakfast and full-course dinners |
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Six-day
lift passes for Chamonix with mountain insurance |
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High
mountain guide for five days |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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| Luxury
Holiday in Megève: $9,479 |
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This holiday
includes for two people:
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Round-trip
business class airfare from New York to Geneva |
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Round-trip private car transfers from Geneva airport to
the hotel |
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Seven
days double occupancy accommodation at a luxury hotel
close to the lifts and the town center, breakfast and
full-course dinners included |
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Six-day
lift passes for Megève and surrounding areas with mountain
insurance |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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| Three
Star Holiday in Megève: $2,512 |
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This holiday
includes for two people:
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Round-trip
airfare from New York to Geneva, economy class |
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Round-trip private car transfers from Geneva airport to
the hotel |
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Seven days double occupancy accommodation in a three star
hotel convenient to town center and the slopes, breakfast
and full-course dinners included |
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Six-day
lift passes for Megève and surrounding areas with mountain
insurance |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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| Three
Star Ski Mountaineering in Chamonix: $2,791 |
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This trip
includes for two people:
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Round-trip
airfare from New York to Geneva, economy class |
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Round-trip private car transfers from Geneva airport to
the hotel |
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Seven days double occupancy accommodation in a three star
hotel in the center of town with breakfast and full-course
dinners |
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Six-day
lift passes for Chamonix with mountain insurance |
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Five
days skiing with a high mountain guide and a small group
of skiers |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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| Three
Star Off-Piste Skiing Trip to Val d'Isère |
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This package
includes for two people:
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Round-trip
airfare from New York to Geneva, economy class |
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Private
car transfers form Geneva airport to the hotel |
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Seven
days double occupancy at a three star hotel across the
street from the lifts, breakfast and full-course dinners
included |
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Six-day
lift passes for Espace Killy with mountain insurance |
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Six
days off-piste skiing with a guide/instructor and a small
group of skiers |
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All
hotel taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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All
packages are subject to availability.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
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| Safaris: |
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Tarentaise
Olympic Safari: From $1,712. Offered December to May.
Includes:
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Seven
full days of skiing, crossing the Alps, with an experienced,
local high mountain guide |
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Seven
nights accommodation, breakfast and dinners included,
one night in a mountain refuge |
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Round-trip
airfare, economy class from New York* |
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Round-trip
airport transfers |
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Hotel
taxes and service charges included, airport departure
taxes not included |
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*
Departure from all major US cities available
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