Cross-country skiing holidays, 2012

Obertilliach 7-16.1.12 (FULL) | Hochfilzen 4-13.2.12 | Engadin 4-12.3.12

Our trips offer top-level cross-country ski instruction, followed by the chance to take part in a 'ski marathon' competition. The instruction team is led by Alan Eason, former British cross-country ski champion, and one of GB's best cross-country ski instructors.

You book the flights (although we suggest the flights you might like to take), accommodation (although we suggest a couple of places, so people can stay together) and the transfer (although we'll book a minibus / coach if there are sufficient numbers). We organise the programme once you get there, and provide an excellent team of instructors who will help you to get the most from your skiing and the races.

You will need a decent level of fitness to join us. Previous skiing experience is useful, but not essential. If you haven't cross-country skied before, you should have a higher level of fitness, and some experience on rollerskis. A few of our past skiers have been club level (and higher) rowers and athletes from other sports.

In 2012 we're running trips to Obertilliach, Austria (followed by the Pustertaler Ski Marathon); Hochfilzen, Austria (followed by the Koasalauf) and Pontresina, Switzerland (followed by the Engadin Ski Marathon).

Feedback from last year's trips | Pictures from previous trips

HOCHFILZEN 2012: 4th - 13th February
SKI INSTRUCTION + 40TH KOASALAUF SKI MARATHON

Hochfilzen is home to the Austrian ski federation and is the national training center for cross-country skiing and biathlon. It is connected to a vast network of ski trails that run for over 120 km with easy skiing around the town of Hochfilzen and more challenging tracks on the biathlon world cup course. Or ski down to St Ulrich which hosts FIS continental cup cross country ski races. We plan to use both training centers for this week leading up to the Koasalauf ski marathon weekend, which is only a short trip to St Johann.

The plan in brief

he week will have world class ski instruction in classic and skating techniques, video work some days and trips to some of Austria’s best kept secret cross country ski trails around the Hochfilzen and St Johann area. There will be ski waxing classes, and for those who wish, a chance to take part in the Koasalauf Ski Marathons at the end of the week.

The coaches

The week will be led by Alan Eason and Peter Moysey. Alan is one of the UK's leading cross-country ski instructors and a former British cross-country ski champion. He is ski school director and head instructor at Australia's largest cross-country ski resort, Lake Mountain, and has taken part in FIS Cross-Country Ski World Championships and many ski marathons. Peter lives in Austria and works for one of the Austrian sports school coaching and instructing biathlon. He raced on the World Cup Biathlon circuit for many years, and before that was a professional triathlete.

Who is this trip for?

The week for both experienced skiers and those who are new to skiing on snow for the first time (but have good fitness and preparation). An interest in racing on snow is not essential, and the Koasalauf weekend is for all - racers and non-racers.

If you have any doubts about the trip's suitability let us know and we can advise.

If you are preparing for other ski races or other longer skis later in the season, this will be an ideal week of training and instruction, and will fit in well with roller skiing.

Logistics and planning

• Arr: Saturday 4th February, Dep: Monday 13th February
• Koasalauf Ski Marathon, St Johann, Austria. For more information about the race www.koasalauf.at , email info@koasalauf.at
  • Saturday 11th February, 30 km , 20 km, Classic
  • Saturday 11th February, Children’s 2 km & 4 km Classic
  • Sunday 12th February, 30 km, 45 km & 16 km Skate
• Suggested flights to and from Salzburg Airport -
  • Sat 4th Feb: Dep London Gatwick 09:50, Arr Salzburg 12:45, BA2652
  • Mon 13th Feb: Dep Salzburg 13:35, Arr London Gatwick 14:35, BA2653
• We will suggest transfer from Salzburg airport depending on group size
• Hochfilzen is accessible by train from Salzburg, Munich and Innsbruck if you want to make your own way
• Recommended hotel: Hochfilzner Hof, see www.hochfilznerhof.at ; Hotel Edelweiss, see www.edelweiss-hochfilzen.at
• Recommended self-catering: see here
• Recommended budget accommodation: contact tourist office
• Hochfilzen Tourist Office - phone: +43 (0) 535456304 10 or +43 (0) 535456304 10 or email hochfilzen@pillerseetal.at , open Monday to Friday 9.00-12.00, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 14.00-16.00 (Alan can also advise, we would like to keep everyone in the same area)
• Good value and quality ski hire is available locally
• We will use local bus service for transfers and travel to races
  
  

Training & instruction

* The week will start with the fundamentals of classic and skating. Each day the lessons will be broken down into small and simple steps which produce a greater level of progress in classic and skating. The programme for the week will be structured to each person's needs, and what they would like to improve on.
* A few days before the race there will be a trip to the race location to ski parts of the course, test skis and wax, go shopping and relax.
* Each day there will be two training / instruction blocks, classic and skate and in the evenings waxing talks, ski selection information and videos on training methods.

For those who would like to have a go at a sport that is a little different, then Hochfilzen has a 3 km long toboggan run and a restaurant at the top for an evening meal then a fun ride back down into the village.

* Skiers are not expected to attend all sessions, and are free to explore the trails.
* With Hochfilzen so well situated, we can ski from the village each day, and make regular trips to St Ulrich.
* Hochfilzen hold the first of the central European biathlon world cups, and do whatever they can to have this event up and running, this means that there is always snow on the biathlon and cross country loops.
* If anyone would like to stay on after the week, there is the option to head to some of the alpine slopes in the area and lean telemark skiing, and also do some ski touring up into the mountains using local guides.

To book

The instruction is £255 for the week. We ask everyone to pay an initial deposit of £55, with the balance for this trip payable by 14th January 2012 -

Pay deposit £55 -
Pay remaining £200 -

For more information

For more information on the trip, email iain@rollerski.co.uk or call 020 8348 2540 or 07968 286129. You can also contact Alan by email, alan_eason@hotmail.com

NEW - ENGADIN 2012: 4th - 12th March
SKI INSTRUCTION + ENGADIN SKI MARATHON

The Engadin valley is a beautiful setting for winter sports, and has been attracting British winter sports enthusiasts for almost 150 years. The Engadin Ski Marathon is one of the iconic ski races of the world - with more than 10,000 competitors, it attracts over 100 British skiers every year.

About the week

Each day will focus on all the elements of cross country skiing, starting at the fundamentals of cross country skiing, both for skating and classic skiing. If you wish to just focus on one technique over the week this is fine, as we will have a number of instructors working with the group.

Instruction takes place for the whole day. In the morning the focus will be on drills and games to improve technique; during the second part of the day we usually instruct on the go, giving you time to practice what we have done in the morning.

For most days we will head back to the town for lunch and a rest, before returning for the second ski of the day.

In the days leading up to the marathon, we will wax skis, and also ski parts of the course. On the Saturday before the race, we will take a trip to the race village to collect the race bibs and will head towards the start area.

On the Sunday there is the chance to take part in the 42k Engadin ski marathon (or the shorter 21k option). This is one of the best first timer's marathons, with a relatively easy course and very wide and open tracks all the way to the finish.

This week is for all levels of skier, and we would recommend that some time is taken on rollerskis over the months before the race, to gain some technical level of skiing before the trip. We are also able to offer a race waxing service for your skis, or you can take your skis to a local ski shop.

For more information about this trip and any advice about training leading up to this week please email Alan.

Logistics and planning

• Arr: Sunday 4th March, Dep: Monday 12th March
• Engadin Ski Marathon, Engadine Valley, Switzerland. For more information about the race www.engadin-skimarathon.ch , email info@engadin-skimarathon.ch
  • Sunday 11th March, 42km Free Technique (most people skate), 21km option
  • Entry is CHF100 before 31 December 2011, rising to CHF160 the day before
  • If you order a 'Worldloppet Passport' they will put you in a higher startgroup
• Flights to and from Zurich Airport: flights from the UK are operated by British Airways, Swiss and EasyJet. We suggest you take an early flight, to enjoy the train journey to the Engadin during daylight.
• Transfer should be made by train. If you've entered the marathon, half your train journey from the airport is included in your race entry!
• So you just need to buy a ticket from Zurich Airport to Chur. The part of the journey from Chur to the Engadin valley, on the 'Rhätische Bahn' is included, but you need to show your race entry document to the ticket inspector. The journey is just under 4 hours, and you can check times at - www.sbb.ch
• There is plenty of accommodation in Pontresina, and the choice is yours. The Sport Hotel is popular with British skiers - it is quite expensive, but in the past it has arranged a 'dorm room' . The Youth Hostel is good value and right next to the track, but books up early. Absolute budget accommodation is available in local schools (though not in Pontresina itself).
• Regular self catering and bed & breakfast accommodation can be booked at www.engadin.stmoritz.ch

To book

The instruction is £255 for the week. We ask everyone to pay an initial deposit of £55, with the balance for this trip payable by 14th February 2012 -

Pay deposit £55 -
Pay remaining £200 -

For more information

For more information on the trip, email iain@rollerski.co.uk or call 020 8348 2540 or 07968 286129.

The instruction for the trips above is being run by Alan Eason, who is one of the UK's leading cross-country ski instructors (and one of our main rollerski instructors). Alan runs cross-country ski trips and training courses for ski holiday companies, Snowsport England, clubs and military teams. He is also an expert ski waxer.

You can find out more about Alan and his trips at www.totallynordic.co.uk

OBERTILLIACH 2012: 7th - 16th January FULL
SKI INSTRUCTION + PUSTERTALER SKI MARATHON

Obertilliach is situated close to the Italian border, in the beautiful Dolomites. It's a beautiful and historic village, whose buildings are constructed principally from wood. It is also one of Austria's main centres for biathlon (skiing and shooting) and home to Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen.

As with last year, our priority is to offer the instruction: you can book flights and accommodation in Obertilliach. If enough people take the recommended flights, we can also arrange the transfer from Salzburg airport to Obertilliach and back. We will sort out transport to the races. Doing it this way means we can offer a much better value trip, and you can choose from a variety of accommodation options.

The plan in brief

The week will incorporate first class ski instruction in classic and skating technique, many miles of skiing and a chance to take part in the Pustertaler Ski Marathon.

The coach

The week will be led by Alan Eason, one of the UK's leading cross-country ski instructors and a former British cross-country ski champion. Alan is head instructor at Australia's largest cross-country ski resort, Lake Mountain, and has taken part in FIS Cross-Country Ski World Championships and many ski marathons.

The standard

The week is aimed at both experienced skiers with good fitness, and beginners who are very fit and well prepared on rollerskis. An interest in racing on snow is essential, and if you have any doubts about the trip's suitability let us know, we can advise.

If you are preparing for other ski races later in the season, this will be an ideal week of training, and will fit in well with rollerski training.

The venue

Obertilliach is a village in Austria's Osttirol, not far from the Italian border and 40 minutes from the popular skiing town of Dobiacco. It has become a favourite training area for biathletes due to its snow record, and in recent years has developed some excellent tracks and a first rate shooting range, which has enabled it host IBU Cup biathlon races.

Obertilliach is also renowned for its rustic charm: there are some excellent cafes, hotels and an all-important bakery. Nightlife is limited to a couple of pubs. The tracks are close to the accommodation and there is a wide range of skating and classic trails. Apart from the biathlon, Obertilliach hosts the classic version of the Dolomitenlauf ski marathon and is used by top cross-country skiers and biathletes (Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen is a resident).

Logistics & planning

• Arr: Saturday 7th January, Dep: Monday 16th January;
• Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Dobiacco, Italy. See - www.ski-marathon.com
  • Saturday 14th January, 10am: 28km Skating
  • Sunday 15th January, 10am: 42k Classic
  • Race entry EUR34 for each race, EUR57 for both races if entered before 31/12/11 - see here (you may choose which races to do).
• Suggested flights to and from Salzburg Airport, book at www.ba.com -
  • Sat 7th Jan: Dep London Gatwick 09:50, Arr Salzburg 12:45, BA2652
  • Mon 16th Jan: Dep Salzburg 13:35, Arr London Gatwick 14:35, BA2653
• Recommended hotel: Hotel Gasthof Unterwoger (4 Star hotel, half board prices from EUR59pp). A very nice hotel in the centre of the village.
• Recommended budget accommodation: self catering apartments available for roughly EUR20 per night per person. Contact Obertilliach tourist office (or Alan) -
  • telephone: +43 4847 5255
  • FAX: +43 4847 5255 11
  • E-Mail: obertilliach@hochpustertal.com
  • Homepage: http://www.obertilliach.at
• More general information on Obertilliach, 1450m here
• Info on Obertilliach Biathlon Centre / cafe here
• Transfers & travel to races - we will use local bus company for transfers to and from the airport and races. Last year this was in total £50pp, and should be about the same this year, depending on numbers
• Good value quality ski hire is available locally

.

Training & instruction

• The week will start with the fundamentals of classic and skating. Each day the lessons will be broken down into small and simple steps which produce a greater level of progress in classic and skating. The programme for the week will be structured to each person's needs, and what they would like to improve on.
• A few days before the race there will be a trip to the race location to ski parts of the course, test skis and wax, go shopping and relax.
• We are also able to have a go at biathlon in Obertilliach, and this can be arranged at any time during the week. [Alan to confirm cost].
• Each day there will be two training / instruction blocks, classic and skate and in the evenings waxing talks, ski selection information and videos on training methods.
• Skiers are not expected to attend all sessions, and are free to explore the trails.
• With Obertilliach so well situated, we can ski from the vilage each day, and make regular trips to the biathlon and cross country ski centre which is only a short 2km run away.
• Obertilliach has a very good snow record and has invested heavily this year in increasing snow making on the trails. Trails and village are not so shaded by the mountains (unlike Dobiacco which can be pretty dark at this time of the year).
• Also this part of Austria has world class ski touring, with easy access to Italy.
• If anyone would like to stay on after the week, Alan will be available to help anyone interested in preparing for the British Championships on an ad hoc basis.
  

THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL, but there is still some space on the Hochfilzen and Engadin trips below

The instruction is £255 for the week. We ask you to pay a £55 non-refundable deposit to book your place, with the balance payable by 7th December -

Pay course fee balance, £200 -

For more information

For more information on the trip, email iain@rollerski.co.uk or call 020 8348 2540 or 07968 286129. You can also contact Alan by email, alan_eason@hotmail.com

Other holiday ideas -

Each year we help many people to prepare on rollerskis, to get more out of their cross-country ski holidays - wherever they go. Apart from our trips, we help people going on trips with the UK's leading ski holiday operators, including Headwater, Inntravel and - in particular - Exodus Holidays which employs our instructor Mary -

	Exodus is one of the UK's leading cross-country ski holiday companies, and its trips offer great skiing at different grades, with a variety of guides and venues.
If you are a complete beginner or experienced skier there will be something to suit. The 2011/12 Exodus brochure is out now, and is well worth a look. They operate in the Nordic countries, and across Continental Europe. You can see their full holiday listing here.