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Learn to skate  - cross-country track skiing holiday

A fun week of instruction for those wanting to master the fast moving, rhythmic skating technique.

 6 days skating instruction.
Formal / informal lessons.
Aimed at 'classic' skiers with one or more weeks experience.
Instructor / client ratio of 1:8
Possibility of 'classic ski' tours in the afternoon.
Comfortable, friendly 2* hotels.
Quality skating skis for hire

Marmot Tours learn to skate cross country skiing holiday

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To other cross-country skiing holidays

HOLIDAY OVERVIEW

Anyone who has tried classic cross-country skiing has experienced skaters 'effortlessly' dance by with a beautifully rhythmic motion. This week long cross-country skiing holiday focuses on turning you into one of these accomplished skaters!  The technique is all about using your arms and legs in a timely fashion to give you enough momentum to propel yourself forwards while holding your balance for as long a possible. Sounds simple (!), but it is fair to say that no one finds learning the technique easy.  However, with this week of excellent instruction people soon master the basics and start to 'flow' fairly quickly.

Every morning of the holiday there will be formal instruction into a particular aspect of the technique tailored to each individual in the group. The afternoons are free to practice what you have learnt or go off and explore the ski area on classic skis although individual instruction is naturally offered.

The track skiing holiday has been put together to make the most of the relatively flat skiing around Font Romeu at the start of the week, before returning to the more rolling landscape of Ax-les-thermes. More information on the cross-county ski areas.

HOLIDAY ITINERARY

The itinerary remains flexible to accommodate for the snow conditions. We intend to be on the slopes by 10am and aim to finish by 4.30pm. You do not need to be on the go all the time, as all areas have cafes offering fine mountain views. You will be given a key to the van, so at any stage during the day you can have access to spare clothing, different skis, etc. 

Every morning there will be formal instruction into a particular aspect of the skiing technique with video feedback and a rolling programme of training during the afternoons.

Day 1: Travel day
Today is about getting to Ax-Les-Thermes in time for dinner at the Hotel Terminus. Airport transfers are provided to tie in with flights listed below. Hotel Terminus, Ax-les-Thermes.

Day 2: Track cross-country skiing at the Plateau de Beille (1800m)
After breakfast there will be a briefing to go through all aspects of the holiday. We will then transfer to the Plateau de Beille via the ski hire shop.  Today we will concentrate on the flat skiing around the welcome centre at Beille. Hotel Terminus, Ax-les-Thermes.

Day 3: Track cross-country skiing at Font Romeu (2050m)
In the morning we transfer 1.5 hrs to our new hotel in Font Romeu, drop the bags and continue to the ski area of la Calm in the domain of Font Romeu. This ski area has some extensive 'flat areas' for us to practice the technique - we also have access to a downhill ski lift so we can practice our downhill cornering without too much effort!  Hotel Y Sem Be, Font Romeu.

Day 4: Track cross-country skiing at Capcir - Col du LLose (1860m)
This ski domain offers us the perfect piste to put into action all that we have learnt over the past few days - 12km of 'flat'  in both directions. There are naturally lots of other great 'hillier' options for those wanting a challenge. Hotel Y Sem Be, Font Romeu.

Day 5: Track cross-country skiing at Capcir - Col de la Quillana (1710m)
Another fantastic ski domain which is particularly good for skaters. By now we are able to enjoy what the area has to offer. After a great days skiing we transfer 1.5hrs back to Ax. Hotel Terminus, Ax-les-Thermes.

Day 6: Track cross-country skiing at the Domain du Chioula (1430m)
Often considered the most beautiful resort in the Pyrenees, we are now ready to enjoy its gradients! Today is sure to be a wonderful ski, no doubt enhanced by a delicious lunch in the refuge de Chioula.
Hotel Terminus, Ax-les-Thermes.

Day 7: Track cross-country skiing at the Plateau de Beille (1800m)
After a
5 days of intensive tuition we return to Beille to enjoy what the resort has to offer - 70 km of fantastic high altitude trails with great views. Hotel Terminus, Ax-les-Thermes.

Day 8
: Travel Day
After a leisurely morning we transfer to Toulouse airport in time for the flights listed below full of the memories of a fantastic holiday xc skiing.

IS THIS HOLIDAY FOR ME?

This Learn to Skate holiday is aimed at people with one or more weeks classic cross-country skiing experience who are happy with their balance and basic downhill technique. 

Skating is mostly about technique, however in order to make the most of the is holiday you will need to be 'relatively fit'. Until you master the basics your technique tends to be very inefficient, so a lot of effort goes into going nowhere; the fitter you are the longer you can persevere! The program is however very flexible to deal with a mixed group, so there is no need to worry about holding the group up, or being held up. 

There is a maximum of 8 clients on this cross-country skiing holiday to ensure that James can give everyone in the group as much attention as possible.

Every afternoon there is the possibility of further instruction or exploring the Cross-country ski areas on classic skiis. Please note that there is no 'off-piste' skiing on this holiday. 

It is important to us that people book the correct holiday - Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have have any questions.

HOLIDAY DATES

Sunday 9 Jan - Sunday 16 Jan 2011 (Trip Code XFS K03) 

HOW MUCH DOES THE HOLIDAY COST?

The holiday costs £720, starting at Toulouse Airport. Flights are not included but can be picked up very cheaply if booked in advance. Allow about £50 for drinks and the meals not included (outlined below). Accommodation is normally allocated on a twin share basis with shared facilities but a single room can be guaranteed for a supplement of £120 (please let us know at the time of booking). There are no other local payments or hidden costs. Please note that we offer a 5% discount if you book more than 3 months before the departure date. We also offer group and loyalty discounts.

This price includes:

Airport transfers, 6 days transport to different ski regions, 6 days guided skiing, formal ski instruction, 5 nights 2** Hotel in Ax-Les-Thermes. 2 nights in 2** Hotel near Font Romeu. 7 breakfasts and 7 evening meals. Ski pass that gives access to the prepared ski tracks. 

WHERE DO WE STAY

Ax-les-thermes: We stay in a small, comfortable 2 star hotel in the town of Ax-les-Thermes. Known for its friendly atmosphere and good cuisine, the Hotel Terminus source the meats and fish for their traditional French dishes, from local producers. The house wine is organic, plus they have an extensive wine list with choices from both near and far. Traditional French breakfasts are  provided. The hotel is a short walk from the town centre, and is situated on the banks of the River Ariege. All of the  peaceful rooms have views over the river.

Font-Romeu:
We stay in a chalet style 2 star hotel, Y-Sem-Be, just outside the town centre. It is situated at 1800m on the sunny plateau of the Cerdagne, enjoying stunning panoramic views.  It is well placed for accessing the facilities in the centre of Font Romeu. The hotel has a pleasant and airy restaurant where we take our evening meals.  There is also drying facilities and a comfortable lounge area. 

FOOD AND MEALS

Breakfast: Continental style breakfasts are provided by the hotel. We supplement these with cereals and 'ready brek'. 
Lunches: These are not included so you can choose your own diet while skiing. There are excellent restaurants serving soups, salads, pasta etc.  in both ski areas or you can make up your own picnic from the many bakeries in town.
Dinner:  7 evenings meals will be taken together in the hotel restaurant and normally consist of 3 generous courses of local French specialities.
Special diets: The hotel Terminus is very used to providing excellent meals for  vegetarians and celiacs.  Please contact us if you have any other special dietary requirements.

GETTING AROUND

Throughout the learn to skate holiday you transferred to and from the cross-country ski areas in a private minibus.   James has lots of experience of driving in snowy conditions. The buses are naturally fitted with snow tyres and chains are carried. Each day we transfer 15 to 45mins depending on snow conditions on the road. 

CLIMATE / SNOW CONDITIONS

During January we can expect the snow conditions to be perfect for skating with the snow staying in perfect condition thought the day. We can expect to be skiing in temperatures in the sun from 10 to 18 Deg C,   however it is fairly usual to get fresh snow falling at some stage in the week so temperatures can drop way below freezing. Despite the sunshine the snow remains in good condition due to the very cold night-time temperatures (the ski areas are very high) and the meticulous daily piste preparation. 

SKI HIRE

Cross Country Ski hire is not included as some people bring their own kit or 'combi' boots with them.  We are very lucky to have an excellent dedicated cross-country ski hire shop with an extensive range of good quality skis, boots and poles for hire (it is very important to have good kit).  The learn to skate package costs €70 for the week and includes a complete set of 'classic' skis, boots and poles 'for free'. As beginners we start with short skis, but these can be exchanged for longer skiis as your technique improves. The skis will even be waxed half way through the week, to give us maximum glide.  The skating and classic ski's are mounted with NNN bindings.

In addition there is a very good outdoor clothing and gear shop in Ax-les-Thermes, 200 meters from our hotel - see Telemark Pyrenees (external website).

There is a waxing room at the cross-country ski hire shop which is available for all our clients to use even if they are not hiring skis. The room is kitted out with vices and irons.  Brushes etc can be borrowed from Marmot Tours - all you need is your wax.
 

MASSAGE SERVICE

On most evenings of this trip Cathy Thompson will be offering Therapeutic Massages at the Hotel. More info>>

WHAT TO BRING

Skating is very energetic, so even in the depths of winter you will be wearing surprisingly little while skiing. Don't worry, Lycra is not essential and most people find winter cycling kit or lots of thin layers, ending in a windproof shell suitable. You will need to be able to carry some water with you while you are skiing, but we will always 'ditch the bags' during the instruction as they tend to affect our balance. A suggested kit list will be sent to you on booking.

TRAVEL :: HOW DO I GET THERE?

We get people coming on our holidays from all over the world, so it is impossible to include all the information on our website. The notes below are tailored to travellers from the UK. People from other countries please contact us for advice.

Free minibus transfers to / from Toulouse Airport are offered to tie in with the flights listed below from London, Bristol and Manchester. 

If it is easer for you to take a flight that arrives before or after our transfer then you will need to make your own way to Ax-Les-Thermes (easy & cheap bus & train journey). Alternatively you could extend your holiday by arriving the day before and spending an afternoon / evening exploring the vibrant and ornate red bricked city of Toulouse.

Please see the transport section of our website for all travel options (air, road and rail) plus information on getting to Ax Les Thermes independently of the group transfer from Toulouse / Carcassonne or Barcelona Airports.

We would like to emphasise that for this cross-country skiing holiday the 'ski train' is a fun, cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to air travel, please see our Green Travel pages.

Airport transfers:
2010: For this holiday the airport transfers are scheduled to tie in with the following flights.  If any of these flights are delayed then the transfer will naturally be rescheduled. People arriving on the earlier of the flights will be expected to wait at the airport (max 2hrs) for the later flights to arrive:

2011: transfer information is not yet available - waiting on flight timetables to be released.

Easy Jet flights from London Gatwick.
OUT: departs Gatwick at 1325, arrives Toulouse at 1610.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1050, arrives Gatwick at 1140. 
     departs Toulouse at 1645, arrives Gatwick at 1735. 

Easy Jet flights from Bristol.
OUT: departs Bristol at 1425, arrives Toulouse at 1710.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1740, arrives Gatwick at 1830. 

BMI Baby flights from Manchester.

OUT: departs Manchester at 0625, arrives Toulouse at 0930.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1030, arrives Manchester 1140.

Alternatively flights with independent transfers:
Please see the transport section of our website. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in contact.



Contact Marmot Tours: info@marmot-tours.co.uk
Tel/fax: 0033 561 02 80 43. French Mob: 0033 (0)6 30 01 12 98
Marmot Tours Ltd