Cross country ski trip to Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria

Saturday 8 to Saturday 15 January 2022 + Optional Tour de Ramsau races

Club members on tour in Ramsau - photo: M WrayIt’s our first club trip for two years and this one has something for every member!

• Learn to cross country ski - for beginners who want to learn this fantastic sport;
• refresh and develop your skills with our coaches - for those who already ski;
• take part in the Tour de Ramsau, choose all or some of the races [night sprints, classic & skate] with optional tuition to help you tune up your race performance;
• or just ski and explore the area with other members.

This trip is open to all LRNSC members, and those wishing to join the Club.  There are however a limited number places, so register now!

About Ramsau

 Ramsau ski trails photo M WrayRamsau am Dachstein has up to 220 km of cross-country skiing trails between 1,100 m and 2,700 m above sea level with varying degrees of difficulty making it ideal for all levels of skier. There is a cross-country ski stadium with a night trail, nordic performance testing centre and children's cross-country skiing park.

The village and its surrounding hamlets are dotted along the main valley and are served by a free ski bus that runs all day to expand your skiing options.

See photos from the Club's 2020 trip to Ramsau and watch the video to discover more.

Coaching - learn to cross country ski or refresh/improve your xc skiing skills

For beginners tuition will focus on developing basic techniques so you can enjoy exploring the area safely and competently with your coach.  For others the aim will be to refresh and develop existing skills so you ski more efficiently and confidently and tackle longer tours and/or more challenging terrain, compete in your first race, or go for a PB in the Tour races.  There will be a mix of formal and 'on the go' tuition.

The number of instructors will depend on demand but we expect to have Dagmar Junghanns, Peter Moysey and Mary Wray coaching for 5 days, Monday – Friday in classic and skate style. All are experienced coaches with Peter being a world class athlete in cross country skiing and triathlon.  There are now just a few places left for tuition

The trip runs from Saturday 8 to Saturday 15 January 2022, but if you are racing you can extend your stay.

The Tour de Ramsau - Euroloppet Races

Club members at the race finishThe overall Tour de Ramsau is the only event of this kind in Europe, and it consists of 3 events – you can participate 1, 2 or all 3 race options:

• Friday 14 January 7pm - 1km sprints
• Saturday 15 January - 15km and 30km classic
• Sunday 16 January - 15km and 42km free technique

Those racing should make their own entry arrangements once registration is open.

Covid-19 rules

The trip will be run according to English and Austrian regulations and guidance in force at the time.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with these protocols.

We will be monitoring these regularly in the run up to the trip and advise you of any significant changes. 

You can see the UK government's travel advice for returning to England and the latest information from Austria.

NB Wales and Scotland may have different rules to England.

Key points:

• Everyone on the trip should have their own travel health insurance policy that covers the Covid-19 situation.
• Currently you are required to buy a 2-day test prior to your return and complete an online passenger locator form. 
• FFP2 compliant face masks are needed on Austrian public transport, chair lifts and gondolas (eg if visiting Filzmoos) and in essential businesses [pharmacies, supermarkets etc]

The Club's Snowsport England insurance is only for public liability which means claims for alleged third party injury, or third party property damage.  It does not provide you with any travel insurance for overseas emergency medical treatment, following an accident, repatriation costs, cancelled flights or accommodation, loss of baggage etc, hence you should purchase your own travel insurance.

Travel

The choice of flights post Covid is more limited. These are the suggested flights from London or Bristol to Salzburg departing 8 January & returning 15 January.  They arrive at similar times to be able to arrange group transport to the hotel (prices at 21/9/21 in brackets):
 

Easyjet
Gatwick dep 12.35 arr Salzburg 15.35 (£24.99)
Salzburg dep 16.35 arr Gatwick 17.35 (£32.22)
Hold bags are £28.49 per flight to 23Kg, Ski carriage is £37 per flight

Bristol dep 11.30 arr Salzburg 14.30 [£80.99]
Salzburg dep 15.10 arr Bristol 16.20 [£56.30]

British Airways
Heathrow dep 12.30 arr Salzburg 15.30 (£96 inc hold bag)
Salzburg dep 13.25 arr Heathrow 14.25 (£75 inc hold bag)
Ski carriage is approx £36 each

There are flights with other airlines and departure airports, however you would need to arrive by 15.35 on 8 January and leave no sooner than 13.25 on 15 January if you want to use the group transport.

For those extending their stay - Easyjet only flies on Saturday to Gatwick or Saturday and Sunday to Luton. British Airways flies from Heathrow Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday so this is your only option for those racing on Sunday.

Alternatively it is possible to travel by train from the UK to the nearest station, Schladming, & use bus or taxi to get the short distance to Ramsau.  Equally you can fly to Munich for a bigger range of flights, then take the train + bus/taxi option.

Transfer
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 90Km (1.5 hours) to drive. The cost per journey is currently estimated to be around €20 a head.

Accommodation - Hotel Ferienhotel Knollhof

The location of the Knollhof is directly on the cross country ski tracks with easy access to the stadium where some tuition will be held and the races start. On this interactive map its location is just under the Bergkristallift. The main town is a 15 minute walk away.

As this trip is held over from 2021, some rooms have already been allocated to those who paid their booking fee then. The following accommodation is still available (we can pair you up with a room mate if you have no one to share with):

• 4 double or twin rooms (Austrian beds)
• 3 double or triple rooms

The buffet breakfast runs from 07.30 to 10.00 and the evening meal from 18.00 to 20.00 offering soups, buffet salad, specials and dessert.  Lunch is usually taken somewhere near the løipe, but the hotel does have 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 and place to wax skis.

There are other hotels and apartment options locally for those wanting alternative accommodation, or recreational skiers who cannot fit into the Ferienhotel Knollhof as preference will be given to those taking tuition.  See Booking.com or AirBnb or the local tourist office.

The nearest properties within a short walk to the Knollhof are:

• Ferienhaus Fanni - large or small apartment, or whole house
• Sportpension Ischi - rooms and apartments
• Haus Hermine - rooms and apartments

Dinner can be taken at the Knollhof with the group if you are staying elsewhere.

Costs

Coaching Fee
This is expected to be £175 per person for 5 days of tuition, subject to the trip being full.  The cost will be confirmed once the balance is due and is not expected to exceed a maximum of £200.

Hotel Knollhof
€82 per person per night for half board (+ €15 per person per night for single supplement)
3rd bed in a triple room is -30%.  Local tax is €2.50 pppd

Dinner in the hotel for anyone not staying there would be €18.50 per night.

No deposit is currently required.  You will be responsible for paying your total stay, including extras on checkout.  Cancellation is free up to 7 December, and thereafter you will forfeit 50%. The hotel will contact you directly by email to recover these costs in this eventuality.

Cancellation without penalty due to the Covid-19 pandemic which involves changes in either government’s rules, or you contracting Covid before flying, will be accepted up to 1 week beforehand.

Winter card - included with your stay free of charge for discounts on ski pass, transport etc

Other Expenses to budget for:
€34 for a 7 day løipe pass
Lunch €10-€15
Ski Hire – this is available locally at one of the Ski Willy outlets where we would probably pre-book and collect together in one group.

What to do next

Stage 1
Complete this online booking form now [deadline extended until mid November unless the trip is full before then]

Stage 2

1. Receive confirmation of your place on the trip, accommodation choice once you have booked. Payment of £80.00 of the tuition fee will be requested at this time for those taking coaching.
2. Once this is confirmed you can book flights and races.
3. The final tuition fee will be confirmed and should be paid by 5th December.
4. The transfer cost may also be required in December if the coach company requires pre-payment. We will confirm once we know numbers and can confirm the price

Any questions?

Please contact Pauline the organiser.