Skate Skiing Weekend

We base these weekends in the small Italian village and valley of Cogne. This picturesque location is famous for the Gran Paradiso, Italy's highest peak, and offers reliable snow late into the winter season. With it's typical stone-house village and eighteenth-century chapel, the area is steeped in history and tradition. This excellent venue offers reliable snow and hosts many regional and national competitions. Enjoy exploring up to 45km of trails. Here we have plenty of options for varying lengths of excursions and terrain to practice our skills while enjoying the mountain and woodland scenery.

Skating takes place on a wide, evenly prepared track that has been well groomed and pressed. The skis are shorter, stiffer and lighter than classic skis, and are narrower at the tip and tail than in the centre. Neither fishscales skis nor grip wax skis are used. The stiffness, lightweight and gliding nature of the skis makes them good for learning to snowplough with.

Day 1 Arrival to Valnontey

We meet you at your hotel the evening you arrive to brief you on the days ahead and answer any questions. Cogne is a charming village and valley close to Aosta town, in Italy. Enjoy good food and hospitality at Hotel La Barme and mountain views from your bedroom window.

Days 2 - 4 Cogne Valley

After fitting our skis and taking time to find our 'ski-legs' we look at technique. We will introduce you to the skating technique at an introductory level learning step-by-step the best and most efficient way to master this graceful sport. Due to our gradual approach, it makes skating very achievable to pick up and is also suitable for those wishing to just refresh their skating skills and knowledge.

Each day we will have a morning skate technique lesson, lunch break, and then an afternoon session with time to journey and put into practice your new skills. The Cogne Valley offers 45 kilmetres of both classic and skate ski trails of varying length and technical standard so we can explore new areas each day for developing and practising our technique.

As we also have access to the groomed trails or 'loipe' then if you find that you'd like to have a 'classic' or 'traditional' track ski then it is also available.

Skating involves various methods and changes in style to enable the skier to transfer weight from ski to ski to travel over a variety of terrain. Learning to skate also helps with other sports that you may already do making it an excellent form of 'cross-training'. It will enhance your balance, co-ordination, aerobic and muscular strength and toning all while enjoying gliding along amongst beautiful views.

Day 5 Departure Day

Today is departure day and the package finishes after breakfast.

Accommodation

For these weekends we stay in Valnontey village, ideally situated on the cross country ski tracks. Our hotel offers a true Italian experience. The food & hospitality is excellent at Hotel La Barme with mountain views from your bedroom window. This family run hotel was converted from an old dairy into today’s charming hotel. The grey weathered timber and stone walls give a rustic appearance. Outside, a large sunny terrace and a little garden offer breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and wild mountain landscape. The small restaurant offers a menu of local Valdôtain fare and a fine selection of local and Italian wines.

For your relaxation, the Hotel has a small wellness centre offering Jacuzzi, sauna and massages. They have an underground garage and cross-country-ski and bike rental. Out of respect for the environment heating and hot water are produced by an ecological wood boiler.

Price

Included: The price includes half board accommodation, based on two people sharing in a 2* hotel, transport between ski venues and 3 days of instruction by a fully qualified BASI Nordic Instructor.

Not included: Insurance, flights & transfers, lunch & drinks, ski hire (approximately 35 euros for the 3 days) and ski passes (approximately 18 euros in total), and massages offered at the hotel.

Minimum Numbers

This trip requires a minimum of 4 clients to run. We will take a maximum of 8 clients.

Insurance

Please note that you must have the appropriate insurance for your chosen activity. You must be covered for helicopter rescue, repatriation and medical costs. With regard to this please be sure you have read the Insurance section in our Terms and Conditions.

Further Information

Please note that this itinerary is dependent on the weather and snow conditions at the time. Therefore changes to the itinerary may occur. Previous cross country or alpine ski experience is an advantage but not necessary. Upon booking a full list of the necessary suitable clothing will be provided. Specific skate skis, boots and poles can be hired in resort.

Cogne is in the Aosta Valley, near to Aosta town itself. Cogne has most facilities including: ski rental, banks, a post office, supermarkets, souvenir shops, downhill skiing resort and sports wear including ski clothing specific for nordic/cross country skiing,

The closest airports are Turin (Casselle) or Milan (Malpensa or Linate) both serviced by British Airways and Ryan Air from various UK ariports. Alternatively you could fly to Geneva Airport. Group and individual airport transfers can then be arranged aswell as public transport to Aosta. From Aosta there is a public bus to Cogne and then to Valnontey village.

If you are arriving into Geneva you may wish to consider a group transfer to Chamonix which is normally about 25 Euros each way. For this we recommend Mountain Dropoffs who will give you their best rate if travelling during peak times. Upon booking quote TAT01.

By prior arrangement your instructor may be able to meet you in Chamonix and assist in a transfer to the Aosta Valley from Chamonix.

Please contact us so that we can help you arrange your specific travel requirements.

Skate Skiing Weekend

Cogne Skating Weekend

Skate Skiing Lessons

Gran Paradiso National Park