Club cross country ski trip to Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria
+ optional Tour de Ramsau races
Saturday 7 to Saturday 14 January 2023
;)
LRNSC members skiing in Ramsau [Photo:M Wray]
UPDATE November 2022
This trip is now full and a reserve list is in operation.
In the event of any cancellations, priority will be given to Club members who wish to progress from our roller ski courses to cross country skiing on snow.
About this trip
We are again returning to this popular destination and the warm welcome we receive from Thomas and his staff at the Ferienhotel Knollhof. This year the trip offers the opportunity to:
• learn to cross country ski;
• for intermediate and advanced skiers to take coaching and improve their skills;
• take part in one or more of the Tour de Ramsau races [sprints, classic and skate], with race preparation;
• just ski and explore the area.
You can see photos from our 2022 trip on Flickr.
About this trip
It is open to all LRNSC members, and those wishing to join the Club. You must have a reasonable level of fitness to be able to take part, particularly beginners as tuition is typically 4-5 hours a day with a break for lunch. Falling over is usually part of learning to ski so equally you need to be able to get up unaided from the ground.
Coaching will be for 5 days from Sunday to Thursday in classic and skate style. Friday can be a rest day for those racing, or an opportunity for independent skiing for others. On Saturday a trip to nearby Filzmoos is a favourite for non-racers.
Mary Wray will teach beginners, Dagmar Junghanns will focus on development of existing skills for intermediates who want to improve technique and ski more effectively, and Peter Moysey will cater for advanced skiers and those wishing to compete in the Tour de Ramsau, covering more challenging terrain and ways of improving efficiency.
The trip runs from Saturday 7 to Saturday 14 January 2023, but you can extend dates if you wish. This means that you would need to make your own transport arrangements but the hotel has rooms available from 6 to 15 January inclusive. Please choose your dates on the application form.
If we are unable to secure enough participants for all three instructors to be present, the club reserves the right to cancel an instructor if necessary.
Covid-19 Rules
The trip will be run in accordance with English and Austrian regulations and guidance in force at the time. You can see the latest information from Austria here [https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information].
Key points:
Everyone on the trip is recommended to have their own travel health insurance policy that covers the Covid-19 situation. Rules are changing all the time, so please be aware of what is required at the time of travel. The GIC (Global Health Insurance Card) issued by Gov.uk is also recommended in case of emergencies.
About Ramsau
Ramsau am Dachstein has up to 220 km of cross-country skiing trails between 1,100 m and 2,700 m above sea level and trails have varying degrees of difficulty for all levels of skier. There is a cross country skiing stadium with a night trail and children's cross country skiing park. The village is spread along the main valley and there is good access to the main ski stadium area and ski trails. A free ski bus also runs along the valley many times a day, which can assist in extending ski routes.
Euroloppet Races – The Tour de Ramsau
The overall Tour de Ramsau is the only event of its kind in Europe, and consists of all three days of racing – but you can choose 1, 2 or 3 race options.
• sprint night races at 7pm on Friday 13 January over a 1km distance.
• classic races on Saturday 14 January over 15 km and 30 km.
• free technique races on Sunday 15 January over 15 km and 42 km.
The longer races are classed as difficult, the shorter races as moderate, and the night races are easy.
Those racing should make their own entry arrangements once registration is open.
Please note that if you are entering these races, you will need say so on our booking form so that we can extend your stay at the hotel. The transfer back to the airport is then your responsibility, but can be arranged amongst yourselves with other racers.
Transport
At the time of writing flights still only seem to be on certain days of the week and mainly the weekend. Here are the suggested flights to Salzburg which arrive at similar times to be able to arrange group transport to the hotel.
Please check flights if you are racing to make sure you can fly back on a Monday or Tuesday – you can always take the train and fly from Munich for a greater choice of flights.
Easyjet – Gatwick
Gatwick 12.35 on 7 January arrives Salzburg 15.35
Salzburg 16.35 on 14 January arrives Gatwick 17.35
Easyjet – Bristol
Bristol 11.30 on 7 January arrives Salzburg 14.30
Salzburg 15.10 on 14 January arrives Bristol 16.20
British Airways – Heathrow
Salzburg 16.20 on 14 January arrives Heathrow 17.30
NB sometimes Business class, which includes 2 bags, can work out cheaper than buying separate ski carriage.
There are flights with other airlines and departure airports. However, you will need to arrive by 15.35 on 7 January and leave no sooner than 14.30 on 14 January if you want to use the group transport.
Transfer Salzburg airport - Ramsau
A group transfer will be arranged to coincide with the flights above if there is sufficient interest, or you can make your own arrangements. Salzburg to Ramsau is approximately 90 km (1.5 hours) to drive. The cost of a group transport per journey is currently estimated to be around €35 a head.
Accommodation - Hotel Ferienhotel Knollhof
The Knollhof is right on the cross country ski tracks with easy access along tracks to the stadium where some tuition is held and the races start. The village centre is a 15 minute walk away.
;)
You can also see its location below the Bergkristalift on the interactive version of this map.
The accommodation available to book is a single, some double for single occupancy, doubles and triples (Austrian beds apart from the single). We can pair you up with a roommate if you have no one to share with.
The buffet breakfast runs from 7.30 am to 10 am and the evening meal from 6 pm to 8 pm offering soup, buffet salad, main course and dessert. Lunch is usually taken at a cafe near the løipe, the hotel as a lunchtime café for those back near base, and there is also a small café behind the hotel.
There is a wellness centre with sauna, hot-steam-bath, infrared cabin, massage (fee) und sun bed (fee). A swimming pool is available locally. There is also a ski store at the back of the hotel with heated boot rack and a profile for skis waxing.
Costs
Coaching Fee
This will be £250 per person for 5 days of tuition.
Hotel Cost
- €85 per person per night for half board (+ €10 per person per night for single supplement).
- Three people in a triple room pay €76.50 each. Local tax is €2.50 pppd.
- There is a 10% discount for those booking before 31/10/22.
Dinner for anyone not staying in the hotel is around €18.50 per night.
You will be responsible for paying your total hotel bill on checkout.
There are several other local hotels and apartment options if you prefer other accommodation or if all rooms are taken at the Ferienhotel Knollhof – see www.booking.com, Airbnb or local tourist office). Dinner can be arranged at the Knollhof.
For example: Ferienhaus Fanni (apartment sleeping 8); Sportpension Ischi – rooms and apartments.
Other Expenses to budget for:
- €40 for a 7 days løipe pass. For skiers, this is included in the Winter card which also gives discounts on local attractions and travel – https://www.schladming-dachstein.at/en/ramsau-am-dachstein/ramsauer-winter-card.
- Lunch €10-€15.
- Ski Hire – available locally at one of the Ski Willy outlets where we will arrange collection as one group.
What to do next
Stage 1
To add your name to the reserve list please complete the booking form by 31 October 2022. Currently all places are taken and In the event of any cancellations, priority will be given to Club members who wish to progress from our roller ski courses to cross country skiing on snow. We are also investigating the possibility of having a fourth coach so we can include this reserve list, who would need to stay in a nearby accommodation
Stage 2
- Once your place on the trip and accommodation choice are confirmed those taking coaching will then need to pay a £50 fee which is non-refundable, except for extenuating circumstances.
- Once your fee is received (if applicable), you can book flights and races.
- The final tuition fee of £200 needs to be paid by 25th November, but you will be sent a reminder.
Any questions?
Please contact Pauline the organiser.
;)
Cross country skiing in Ramsau [Photo: M Wray]