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AN INTRODUCTION TO YOUR WEEK IN THE ALPS
Bardonecchia is situated in Italy on the French-Italian border, within a couple of kilometres of the exit of the Frejus tunnel, one of the main transit routes from north-west Europe to Italy and Yugoslavia. The main road totally bypasses the town, and one would only be aware of it if going to ski at the far side of the resort, Jafferau. The resort is approximately 100 km east of Turin.
The town is not a purpose built ski resort, and is all the more interesting for having a culture of its own. Although the town does exist almost exclusively from tourism, both winter and summer, it does have schools, commerces and residents which reflect the tradition of an Alpine town. The old part of the town is typical, with narrow cobbled streets, and numerous bars, restaurants, pizzerias, and both souvenir and normal butcher, baker, supermarket type retail outlets. |
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As a ski resort, it is a top class area, with an excellent record for snow. It is higher than a lot of resorts, starting at 1,300m, and with skiing extending up to 2,750 m. Most of the skiing is above 1,500 m, which is where some resorts start to tail off, and the beginners area in particular is at this height. The lower slopes of the resort are covered by artificial snow making cannons, more in an attempt to improve the base for the start and the end of the seasons, but which obviously do have the side effect of creating extra cover when needed. The slopes face predominantly north / north west, which is a major factor in conserving snow cover. There is good progression from the beginner slopes to the intermediate level, and beyond, and you can be sure that your students will ski / board as much of the mountain as they are capable of.
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The local “Scuola Italiana Sci” provides top quality, safe, friendly and fun instruction, and progress during the week is guaranteed. The level of spoken English is good and getting better, and the instructors all go the “extra mile” to make sure that your students go away happy, improved and ready to come back.
“Campo Smith” is the curiously named central departure point for almost all the ski-based facilities. The ski school, the ski hire shops, the overnight ski storage area, restaurants and the child creche are sited here. Ski school departs from and returns to here. Hired ski equipment is stored here overnight, in heated, secure locked cellars, and the trip back to the hotel is made unencumbered by skis and boots.
We offer a selection of hotels for school groups, from the elegant Hotel Europa (2 stars, with television in all rooms), to the Buchaneve (2 stars), 200m from the pistes, and the newly refurbished but still unpretentious Asplenia (2 stars), 300m from the pistes. All offer lashings of hot water and excellent food in portions ample enough to suit the most active adolescent. |
Apres ski is offered mainly by the facilities in the town. We offer an inclusive programme of a visit to the swimming pool, the very popular multi-activity evening in the local sports hall, karaoke, a visit to a local ice-cream parlour and an evening meal out in a local pizzeria. The final full day skiing will be completed by a presentation of ski competence awards ceremony given by the instructors. Disco/dance activity can be arranged, and other activities will be arranged on request. Options include a video evening, watching film taken of the ski groups in action during the day - a games night, a quiz night with prizes etc.
Lunch is a hot snack meal (usually pasta) in a local restaurant adjacent to the pistes, and offers a chance to dry off, warm up and relax.
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