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About this trip
Trip Chairs: Denise Foster and Alisa Cook-Roehs - (You can reach us by using the "Ask a Question" button on the right or by phone. Alisa - +49 176 8119 2181 (free with whats app) and Denise (+1 512 791 1720)
IKON -This is a trip for Skiers and Non-Skiers and is an IKON destination!
Skiers - The Dolomites is known for its super skiing and is the largest skiing district in the Alps, directly linked with the Sellaronda Skitour. Canazei is part of the Dolomiti Superski: four skiing and snowboarding areas within comfortable reach of the Club lodging.
Non-Skiers - if you are not able to ski and don’t feel like walking around on snowshoes, you can still reach the Sass Pordoi by cableway, walking from the centre of the town. It is known as the Terrace of the Dolomites because of its 3,000 metre elevation.
This Trip is for current members of the Austin Ski Club Only, or those that have reciprocal status when it becomes available. Registrations made by anyone outside of these options will be cancelled unless the requirements (membership or reciprocity) are met within 24 hours of notification by the Trip Chair.
Airfare and Ground Only Options
Any new participants must arrange their own air. For questions or advice, please contact the trip chairs over this platform! We will help as much as we can.
The Club had to drop the group air due to a lack of meeting the minimum seat requirements. We therefore have/will be booking members on three flights:
Club Air Schedules:
March 7, 2025 -British Air 190 Austin to London Heathrow Direct/7:05pm departure, 10:10am arrival March 8th!
March 8, 2025 -British Air 582 London Heathrow to Venice Direct/1:40pm departure, 4:55pm arrival
March 18, 2025-British Air 597 Venice to London Heathrow/7:00am departure, 8:35am arrival
March 18, 2025-British Air 191 London Heathrow to Austin Direct/12:10pm departure, 5:55pm arrival
March 7, 2025 -Delta 1550 Austin to Atlanta/6:36pm departure, 9:49pm arrival
March 7, 2025 - Delta 84 Atlanta to Paris/11:03pm departure, 1:15pm arrival Paris March 8th
March 8, 2025 -Delta 8356 Paris to Venice Direct/4:20pm departure, 5:55pm arrival
March 18, 2025 - KLM/Delta KLM6010 Venice to JFK Direct/12:15pm departure, 4:55pm arrival
March 18, 2025 - KLM/Delta KLM5716 JFK to Austin Direct/18:50pm departure, 10:11pm arrival
Those coming a day early:
March 6th, 2025 - KLM 0668 Austin to Amsterdam Direct/06:15pm departure, 10:20am arrival
March 7th
March 7, 2025 - KLM1633 Amsterdam to Venice Direct/3pm departure, 4:40pm arrival
March 18, 2025 - KLM/Delta KLM6010 Venice to JFK Direct/12:15pm departure, 4:55pm arrival
March 18, 2025 - KLM/Delta KLM5716 JFK to Austin Direct/18:50pm departure, 10:11pm arrival
Need help?-If your option is not showing as available, please reach out to the Trip Chairs by using the "Ask a Question" Button.
Alisa will be coming from Alaska and will be meeting the group in Venice. Denise will be arriving with the group a day early.
Deposit & Payment Schedule
$500 is due upon booking.
$1000 due on October 1 (Single Supplement pays $2000).
Trip Balance due on December 1
More Details
"Canazei (Cianacèi in the Ladin language), is without a doubt one of the treasures of the province of Trento, located in a magnificent, lush hollow on the northern border of Val di Fassa.
At 1,465 metres above sea level, it is one of the thirty highest towns in Italy and the highest of the villages in the valley. Its excellent location, history and long tradition of hospitality have made it one of the most famous destinations in the Dolomites.
It is considered the winter sports capital of Val di Fassa, especially thanks to its strategic position in the midst of the peaks of Sassolungo and Sella Group, and Marmolada which is a famous UNESCO world heritage site." (This information is credited to this linked website)
In Canazei you can practice skiing and snowboarding,in the beautiful ski areas of Alba Ciampac and Canazei Belvedere, all surrounded by the Dolomites: you can reach important passes like the Pordoi or the Sella, or you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Marmolada glacier.
Click here for a video overview of Val di Fassa.
Additional Tours/Options
Additional Options - the only tour included in the package is the walking tour of Venice.
The trip chairs (one skier and one non-skier) are working hard to increase this program for you but we will not have all the options and pricing until closer to the trip. At that time you will be able to choose add-ons. We are looking to add such options as:
- a food tour in Venice,
- a snowshoeing tour in the Dolomites,
- a thermal spa visit in the Dolomites
- a guided ski tour of the Sellaronda.
- a shopping trip in the Dolomites
These are preliminary ideas and not guaranteed until we work out the pricing, which is currently not available. We will send out an email advising you of added options as they become available. The tour operator has promised us that this location has many great options for non-skiers, including the fact that there is good bus transportation between the various cities in the valley. We will provide more information on this as the trip develops.
Trip Insurance
Trip Insurance is highly recommended for all Austin Skiers Trips and is especially important for trips overseas. Please see the Trip Insurance Resources page found under Trip Resources on the main menu or by clicking this link.
Additionally, the Tour Operator, Alpine Adventures has partnered with an agent to provide tailored insurance plans. You may request a quote by clicking here.
Note that Austin Skiers does not recommend any specific insurance agency or plan so please carefully investigate on your own.
Additionally, in Italy it is required to have liability insurance and proof of such insurance must be carried with you at all times. This has not been included in the trip pricing but we are looking to get it for anyone that would like for us to secure it for them. We have been told that it runs around $3/day. Once we have the pricing, it will be available as an add-on option.
Lift Tickets -if not an IKON pass holder
The Club will not be providing an option to purchase lift tickets as currently there is no benefit of a group purchase in advance. The passes can be purchased easily online as well as at a ticket office near the hotel. For online purchases, you can visit the Dolomiti Superski website.
The advance purchase discount will be given for purchases made as late as 2 days prior to the pass day (i.e. Friday purchase for Sunday skiing)
The prices for this year are now available (converted from Euro so prices may vary):
Entire Valley:
Senior - ca. $383 for 5 of 6 days advance purchase or ca. $77/ day and slightly more for an adult ticket.
Ca. 15% less for Val di Fassa region only.
The link above for the ski pass sales is quite good, and in English. Every registrant needs to arrange for their own tickets based upon their needs and age category.
If you have an IKON pass, you need not pay anything for lift tickets.
Ski Equipment Rental
We have narrowed down the options for ski rentals to two locations.
Both options can be booked online for a discount and the first option appears to us to be the best as it is only 500 meters from the hotel. The second option is just over 2km but is on the bus line that picks up ca. 220meters from the hotel. We do not have enough people renting to get a group discount, but the prices are very reasonable as compared to options in the US!
Local Bus and Val Di Fassa Guest Card
Here is the local bus schedule for the time that we are in Val di Fassa. You may want to download and save it.
Tickets can be purchased on board for a surcharge of .50€ or using the Mio Trentino app (best option). We will be providing more specifics on setting this up soon.
In addition to the transport, the Val di Fassa guest card will give you a number of discounts. We are currently in the process of trying to get them for the group. Once we have the codes, you can link your card to the app.
Once you have your guest card code and have downloaded the app above, you can link your card to the app:
Money and how to get it!
We have spoken to the Val di Fassa tourist office to see what the standards are for payments. They have said that it is very common to pay with a credit card, even on the mountain, but they advised that it is always good to have some cash in case the electronic payment systems are down.
In general, there are two things to know that should save you money. If you need to get some Euros, we suggest bringing your American debit card with you and getting the cash from a reputable bank ATM. By reputable, we mean a major bank. We have checked and there is a Bank of Rome option at the airport and we have found three banks near the hotel.
Here is a list of banks in Val di Fassa and the neighboring towns
By using your debit card and choosing to have the transaction in the local currency, you will get the best exchange rate. This is important - when it asks what currency, do not choose USD! Let your bank make the conversion and you will always get a better rate.
The same goes for credit card transactions - when you are given the choice of what currency to use, do not select USD, but select the currency of where you are. If you do not have a credit card that does not charge for foreign currency transactions, consider getting one.
What’s included
- Airport TransferPrivate Transfer from Venice to Val di Fassa with Motorcoaches and Luggage Trailor
- 7 nights LodgingHotel Cristallo Canazei Val di Fassa
- Welcome Drink
- 6 DinnersChoice of Menu and a salad and vegetable buffet
- Late Night SnackDay of Arrival
- 7 breakfasts
- Transfer to VenicePrivate transfer back to Venice
- 3 Nights hotel in VeniceBest Western Premier Continental
- 3 breakfastsIn Venice
- City tour of Venice
- Return Airport Transfers
- TipsFor Bus Drivers and Portage
- One Checked Bag on BAIncluded with air for those booking over Club
What’s not included
- Lift TicketsLift tickets can be purchased at the ski resort for those not holding an IKON pass but are best purchased online for a discount.
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Additional Baggage on BANote that they do not count boots and skis as one so all has to be in one bag
Available Packages
This option is for the full trip, including airfare.
Please note that as is common in Europe, we have less access to rooms with individual beds and the shared beds tend to be smaller (no California Kings!). We will do our best to place everyone in a room that meets their needs whether it be a shared bed or 2 seperate beds. If your preference is not available to you upon registration, you may request to be on a waitlist to see if one becomes available or you may cancel your registration within 3 days of booking with no fee.
We have a limited number of air seats for this trip. Once they are taken, this option is no longer available. If the need arises, we can try to add additional air seats but cannot guarantee this. Please contact the Trip Chair(s) using the "Ask a Question" button on this registration page.
This option includes the same options as the Full trip, but does not include the airfare. All other ground transport is included.
Please note that as is common in Europe, we have less access to rooms with individual beds and the shared beds tend to be smaller (no California Kings!). We will do our best to place everyone in a room that meets their needs whether it be a shared bed or 2 seperate beds. If your preference is not available upon registration, you may request to be on a waitlist to see if one becomes available or you may cancel your registration within 3 days of booking for no fee.
There is a limited number of Ground Only spots. Keep in mind if you choose your own air, you are responsible for meeting the group at the Venice airport for further transport to Val di Fassa.
If you have chosen this option because your desired option with air included was not available, please contact the Trip Chairs using the "Ask a Question" button on this registration to ask of availability to join the group air. They will do their best to assist you but cannot guarantee an additional seat can be added, in which case you would need to arrange your own air ticket.
This option is for the full trip, including airfare and is for a private room (single supplement).
We have a limited number of air seats for this trip and once they are taken, this option is no longer available. We always have the option of trying to add on air seats but we cannot guarantee this. Please contact the Trip Chair(s) using the "Ask a Question" button on this registration page if needed.
This option is for a Ground Only trip, not including airfare and is for a private room (single supplement). All other ground transport is included.
There is a limited number of Ground Only spots. Keep in mind if you choose your own air, you are responsible for meeting the group at the Venice airport for further transport to Val di Fassa.
If you have chosen this option because your desired option with air included was not available, please contact the Trip Chairs using the "Ask a Question" button on this registration to ask of availability to join the group air. They will do their best to assist you but cannot guarantee an additional seat can be added, in which case you would need to arrange your own air ticket.
This option includes the same options as the Full trip, but does not include the airfare. All other ground transport is included.
Please note that as is common in Europe, we have less access to rooms with individual beds and the shared beds tend to be smaller (no California Kings!). We will do our best to place everyone in a room that meets their needs whether it be a shared bed or 2 seperate beds. If your preference is not available upon registration, you may request to be on a waitlist to see if one becomes available or you may cancel your registration within 3 days of booking for no fee.
There is a limited number of Ground Only spots. Keep in mind if you choose your own air, you are responsible for meeting the group at the Venice airport for further transport to Val di Fassa.
If you have chosen this option because your desired option with air included was not available, please contact the Trip Chairs using the "Ask a Question" button on this registration to ask of availability to join the group air. They will do their best to assist you but cannot guarantee an additional seat can be added, in which case you would need to arrange your own air ticket.
Available options
It is Italian law that all skiers and snowboarders must have liability insurance. You will have to carry proof on said insurance when you are on the slopes and being caught without it can lead to heavy fines. This is liability only and does not cover yourself.
We can buy a group policy that covers our stay in Val di Fassa and you can join this group, or you can get insurance on your own. The coverage that we are buying as a group would cover the week that we are there - Sunday though Friday. You can buy it by the day, but this must be arranged individually.
This is a 6 hour tour with a private guide.
This is an add-on option that requires payment by January 24th to guarantee you a spot. We will meet our private guide in Canazei which is a short bus ride from the hotel. Further details on the meeting point to be advised. The trip will start at 9am and requires an intermediate ski level.
Itinerary
For those attendees that wanted a day to prepare for the travel from Venice to Val di Fassa
KLM0668 Austin 6:15pm, arrival in Amsterdam 10:20am on the 7th.
KLM1633 Amsterdam 3pm, arrival in Venice 4:40pm on March 7th!
The group in staying at the Hilton Garden Inn at the airport. Anyone booking their own air transportation must book this individually. The Club has booked (and paid) for the rooms for those members that purchased air from the Club.
Hilton Garden Inn Venice Airport
Note that we have not prepared any special itinerary or transport for this date. Denise will be available to advise on options of getting into the city if you would like to explore on your own and she will talk to them about storing the luggage until you meet the rest of the group at the airport.