A Social Club For Snow Skiers and Sports Enthusiasts

Sestrière, Italy - January 18 - 26

Trip Chair: Peggy Foreman  e-mail: italytrip@austinskiers.org

A first time adventure! We're going to the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics! Beautiful, sunny Sestrière sits high on a plateau just off the French border in Western Italy's high Alps. Largely built by the Fiat car company from 1934, Sestrière enjoys a long history and has earned a reputation as a practical, friendly, and total ski town. Sestrière's fame for terrific snow is not exaggerated ­ its resorts' high altitudes and brisk climate assure an average of over 350 inches per year. And what a choice of skiing ­ the local Sestrière area is on one flank of the famous "Milky Way" range circuit ­ with 400km (250 miles) of 66 lift-linked trails on the Cesana e Sansicario, Claviere, Sauze d'Oulx areas, all the way over the border to Montgenèvre, France (be sure to take your passport along on these runs!). All of these mountains offer over 5,000 vertical feet in the high Alps, with superb trail grooming. For après ski, check out the town and its famous "Round Tower" and a host of superb eateries, shops, and dance factories. Or you can venture out of the area to the close by hub of Turin, Northern Italy's largest city (about 70 miles). Other excursions ( i.e. Milan) are also in the works. We're staying at the Edelweiss Savoy Hotel ­ an alpine, balcony laden chalet-style hotel, where breakfast is included in the price. So say "bon giorno" to a unique ski week and join us in Sestrière!

Approximate price: $1145*

* Prices and dates are subject to change