Alagna, Italy Ski & Snowboard Trip Package

Experience excellent off-piste skiing and riding in Monterosa and Alagna Italy and learn the ins and outs of ski and action photography on this 8-day freeride tour.

If your passions include photography and action sports or skiing, and traveling, this unique trip to Italy is for you. Hosted by the guides at Le Grand Adventure Tours, and founded by action sports branding and event maestro Tom Winter, Image Quest’s “education through experience” program might just be for you. With a mission to jump-start careers in the action sports space, this camp combines skiing and riding the legendary Italian Alps with après ski seminars that give you the tools you need to score a dream job in the action sports industry, from becoming a professional photographer, a sponsored pro-skier, to managing athletes, or overseeing marketing and branding in the action sports ecosystem.

Participants in the Alanga Image Quest enjoy the unique opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most talented and recognized individuals in the action sports industry while experiencing the unparalleled outdoor location of the Monte Rosa Region. Participants have the opportunity to partake in the Media Experience focusing on content creation and photography, while participants in the Athlete Experience component will work on ski techniques and how to nail the “shot”. All participants will learn overall mountain & backcountry skills. All participants will leave the camp with a portfolio of images created during the week and the foundations of the skills and knowledge to jump-start a career in the action sports world. VIP Guest Instructors will be announced soon! Past instructors have included Photographers Grant Gunderson and Jeff Cricco, Legendary Mountain Guide Joe Vallone and others.

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March 23 - 29, 2020

Alagna, Italy

Itinerary

1

Welcome to Italy! Le Grand can arrange to pick up at the hotel you are staying at or you can meet us at the airport if you land by 1 pm. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Northern Italy and to your ski destination, Alagna. Inspiring views of the Monte Rosa area and its surrounding peaks await you. Settle into your comfortable room and prepare for the week ahead. We will have a group meeting around 6pm at the hotel. The Image Quest team will help guests get the gear dialed in for everyone so we are ready to go for the week. The evening offers your first chance to explore, dine or relax at the hotel with new Image Quest friends.
2

Over the course of the camp, we will guide you through the region, teach you the tips & tricks from the pro’s, and at the end of the day, we will share the photos of the group to reminisce about the great powder we skied. Get up and get ready for your first day of exploring the freeride Paradise of Alagna; you will ski or snowboard the best runs of the area, including the legendary Balma, and gain confidence skiing around the massive Monte Rosa terrain. The evening offers your first Apres Ski Seminar where you will learn skills for the industry, from photoshop to marketing. Later, explore Alagna, dine or relax at the hotel with new friends
3

Enjoy breakfast and get ready to head out with our local UAIGM/IFMGA Alpine Guide. You will tour across the Bors Glacier, learn a new set of skills for keeping yourself safe in the mountains and gain more confidence off-piste learning techniques for steep skiing. The group will have the opportunity to ski some of the best couloirs of the area, such as the Malfatta couloir (40°-45°). After a long day in the mountains enjoys the Apres Seminar and a delicious dinner.
4

Repeat! Today we will follow a similar plan and head out to the glaciers for more lift-accessed touring, skiing, and snowboarding. If you are on the athlete track, work with our professional photographers to learn how to get the shot. If you are on the photographer track we will talk about how to shoot dynamic images and work with athletes. Be sure to plan ahead if you want to eat lunch on the glacier and ask the hotel to prepare a boxed lunch. If not ask your guides about mountainside lunch options, we assure you, no matter what you chose the views and food will be spectacular - this is one of the best parts about a ski or snowboard trip to Italy!
5

While weaving our way through the Alps we will have an opportunity to embrace the local Walser culture that is well preserved in this area. We’ll pass by some of the most ancient Walser settlements in the region and even be able to stop by and enjoy lunch in the small communities. Head into the Apres Seminar and learn skills around workflow and archive strategies, photoshop, branding, video, and terrain management.
6

After 5 days of learning and experiencing movement along mixed terrain we will put our new skills to the test and have one last day exploring the Monte Rosa area. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner party to round off your Image Quest powder experience in Italy. We will share photos, videos, and stories from the week at our last après session.
7

We will be departing Alagna, Italy around 8am after a great 6 days of riding this freeride paradise! Join the group for breakfast, say our goodbyes and enjoy a ride back through the Italian countryside to Milano Malpensa Airport (MPX). You can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in this beautiful city exploring the rich history of this area. We recommend selecting a departure after 2pm from Milano Malpensa Airport. If you would like to spend another night in Milano, please contact Le Grand and we can help you make arrangements.

The Le Grand team is always looking for the best snow and they use their years of experience to find the best snow each day. We will use lift-serviced access and shuttles to maximize ski time and find the best snow over the course of the week. Due to the nature of ever-changing conditions, above is a sample itinerary.

Trip Package Includes

6 nights in 4-star accommodations (double occupancy) in the center of Alagna, Italy
Daily Italian breakfasts, welcome & farewell dinner
Private transportation to/from Milano Malpensa Airport
7 hosted days – including 5 guided ski days at the surrounding resorts and backcountry
Coaching on the following topics: photo/editing skills, athlete workshops, ski technique & backcountry skills
Ski technique & backcountry skills sessions with professional skiers and UAIGM/IFMGA Alpine Guides
All lift tickets to explore the Alagna area including Valsesia, Val de Lys (Gressoney) and Val d’Ayas (Champoluc).
All lift tickets to ski Engelberg & Andermatt
Secure ski storage & boot racks at hotels
LGA welcome gift bag
20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)

Not Included

Roundtrip airfare to/from Milano Malpensa Airport
Single supplement fee (please see FAQ)
Daily lunch, dinner for days 2-5
Alcoholic beverages
Alpine touring gear (AT ski set up or splitboard, avalanche gear including beacon, shovel, and probe, other mics. Gear such as helmet, glacier goggles etc.)
Guide gratuities
Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)

Questions? Call or email us!

Area Information

Alagna, Italy

Alagna is a small village situated in the Italian Alps. Known as a freerider’s paradise the village is the perfect jumping off point for huge descents and an authentic taste of skiing and snowboarding in the Alps. The town sits at 3,900 feet while the tops of the surrounding lifts reach 10,745 feet, for a total vertical just over 6,800 feet! Alagna lies in the protected area of the “Alta Valsesia” Natural Park, which has beautifully preserved its ancient Walser architecture and origins, making the town true to its culture and history.

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FAQ

Is my departure guaranteed?

No, Le Grand must reach a minimum number of guests to operate each trip, please wait to make travel arrangements and book flights until you have received confirmation from Le Grand.
Is trip insurance required?

Yes, Le Grand requires trips insurance for al trips abroad. Protecting your trip & safety is our priority. We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations. They provide rescue and coverage designed for ski trips where other travel insurance options may not cover or rescue with skiing involved. This policy will cover you in case of any medical and personal accidents that could occur prior to or during your trip. This will also cover you if you have to cancel your trip for any reason or if your baggage gets delayed or lost.
What is the athlete experience like?

Looking to improve your skiing, expand on a career as an athlete or working on becoming a sponsored athlete on the FWQ or World Tour? Want to travel around the world and ski the best locations? Want to get paid to ski? The Image Quest Athlete Experience will help jump start your career as a freeskier. Work with our professional photographers to learn how to get the images that will get you published as well as expanding your ski career. Learn how to market yourself and build your own portfolio and reputation. Discover the secrets of becoming sponsored, and what team managers are looking for. The Image Quest Athlete Experience is complemented by our Media and Marketing Experience. You’ll work with our instructors and Media and Marketing Experience students to build a professional athlete portfolio, and through our partnerships in the industry, you’ll have the opportunity to make strong industry connections right out of the gate. We’ll give you the inside track on what professional photographers, editors, team managers and brands are looking for: from sponsorship to editorial trips, to the kind of people they want to have in their magazines. Finally, our on-site coaches will help you refine your style, so that when the cameras start to roll, you’ll look good and nail the shot.
What is the photo/ media experience like?

Want to break into the world of action sports photography and journalism? Or are you interested in a career in brand management and marketing? Image Quest Italy is a week-long boot camp that focuses on everything you need to know to take photos, write features and create digital content for magazines, newspapers and the web. We also take an in-depth look at brand management and marketing, and how to get the best jobs in those fields. Our instructors have launched magazines, held senior positions at Powder, Freeskier and more, they’ve won awards and they’ve toiled in the trenches as freelancers. They’ll teach you how to break into the industry and launch your career. They’ve also managed complex marketing projects, worked as brand managers and created some of the most interesting and unique events in snowsports. At Image Quest Italy you’ll learn how to market your images, from selling fine art posters to commercial work to editorial projects to the secrets of working with stock agencies. We’ll also look at branding and marketing yourself (an essential strategy in today’s job market) to how to work with established companies, ad agencies and event production teams. And once the camp ends, it doesn’t stop. Ongoing mentoring will help you keep the ball rolling as you build your portfolio and create your dream career.
What is the apres ski seminar like?

Workflow and Archive Strategies (Media and Marketing Experience): Managing your image library can be a complex and messy process. Streamline your editing, workflow and archiving- to make the most of your images, including the use of Adobe Lightroom and other software tools. Branding: Build your personal brand, from creating social media identities that appeal to sponsors to website basics to how to market yourself to magazines, we’ll help you create branding that’s powerful and sophisticated. The Art of Photoshop: This powerful software allows photographers and athletes to manipulate images like never before. Here’s how to get the most out of your photos or athlete identity by using Photoshop. Moving Pictures: From creating compelling slide shows or other presentations of your still images, to editing POV video to taking advantage of the video capabilities of your camera, learn how to build your personal brand with the use of video. Terrain Management: Individuals who work in the mountains face unique weather, snow and avalanche conditions. We’ll break down the fundamentals of terrain management with a focus on how to make good decisions and minimize risk while working on snow. The Low Fidelity Revolution: Cell phones, webcams, $100 digital cameras: they all can take great pictures. Want to expand your photography without breaking the bank? Or just experiment for fun? Take advantage of the low-fi revolution to produce unique, powerful images, regardless if you’re an athlete posting on Instagram or a photographer looking to expand your skill set.
What are the accommodations like?

The Hotel Cristallo is a 4-star hotel built in 1932 in front of the Church of San Giovanni Battista (XVI century), the Hotel is a very comfortable hotel suited perfectly for skiers. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from the lifts and in the center of town. Featuring an excellent Italian restaurant and a small relaxation area with heated pool and sauna. Services include free WIFI, Satellite TV, Dry & Ski Room. Elysir is the aprés ski bar situated next to the river below the hotel where you can relax, taste local food and wines, and share stories from the day with your fellow skiers
Are single supplements available? Can I request my own room?

Yes, please contact Le Grand directly for single supplement price and availability.
What skill/experience level is required for this trip?

You should be able to confidently ski or ride powder with enthusiasm to get better and be able to ride a wide variety of snow conditions. You should be able to ride full days, and enjoy fun tours ranging from 20 minutes to 1 hour. The skiing and snowboarding level will be a mix of advanced resort runs with side country and backcountry skiing and snowboarding included each day. Backcountry, touring and splitboarding experience is suggested as we always encourage those to take courses but not mandatory as our guides will be there to assist you.
I'm a strong skier/snowboarder but I dont have much/any touring experience, is this trip right for me?

Backcountry touring skills and experience is suggested, but not mandatory. If touring has always interested you and you want to try it out under the guidance and supervision of certified guides, then this trip is for you! Le Grand's UIAGM/IFMGA certified guides will go over touring gear, technique, tips/ tricks, etc. to help keep you safe, within your comfort zone and of course to help you fall in love with ski touring or splitboarding! If you would like more information on the ability level of this trip please reach out to evo directly.
Do you offer rentals?

Yes, Le Grand offers Scott Scrapper 105 and 115 skis with Marker Tour F12 bindings for $200 per trip, Black Diamond skins and Scott carbon adjustable poles and included with the rental. Please inquire directly about splitboard rentals.

I see that a climbing harness is recommended, when will be using this?

A climbing harness may be used on a day to day basis and depending on the group's ability and fitness level as it will allow us to access more skiing and riding. In most cases though, it will be used as a safety precaution due to the presence of glaciers.
Can i submit a deposit and what if I need to cancel?

Yes, you can submit a $1000 deposit up to 90 days before the trip. After that full payment will be due. evo will refer to Le Grand’s cancelation policy. 90 or more days before the departure a 100% refund will be given for the trip cost and the deposit will be held as an "Adventure Deposit" for a future trip with Le Grand Adventures. Between 61-90 days a 50% refund will be given and the Adventure Deposit will be held for a future trip. Within 60 days no refund will be given and the Adventure Deposit will be held for a future trip.
When and how do I meet up with the group?

You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Milan. Arrive to Milan Malpensa Airport (MPX). If you’re able to find a flight that lands the day of the tour start date and will be able to meet by our 1pm pick-up time, that works as well. Flight time from the West Coast of the United States to Italy is approximately 12 hours and 8 from the East Coast depending on number of stops.
What will the food be like? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

The Hotel Cristallo offers packed lunches daily for a small fee or one of our favorites – local salami, cheese, and bread in the pack as not much can beat that! During the week the group can experience a wide variety of restaurants as well as one of the best Italian restaurants in town that we know you will enjoy. A true culinary experience after skiing some of the best runs of your life. Having open nights during the week for meals will allow everyone to try the local flavors this area is recognized for.
How many guides will be on the trip?

There is a 4 guest to 1 guide ratio for this trip, the max amount of guests is around 12 people. This will allow the group to split up if needed and ski/ride within different experience and fitness levels.
Who are the coaches?

Tom Winter - Photo/Media Coach. With over 20 years of media, marketing and event and brand management experience, Tom Winter was the founding editor of Freeze Magazine, has held senior editorial positions at both Powder and Freeskier Magazines and has worked with brands such as the Freeride World Tour, Nissan, Rossignol and Eider. He’s won an ISPO BrandNew award for innovation, is a four-time winner of the Howard Hirsch award for ski photography, and has been published by ESPN, the Los Angeles Times, Skiing, Powder, Outside and more. Tom currently organizes the annual Hard Snow freeride festival held annually in Italy’s Val di Susa every March. Jeff Robertson - Athlete Coach. With over 25 years of experience in the action sports industry and countless trips around the world, his passion for adventure runs deep. Jeff has guided friends and professional athletes over the years to many iconic locations in search of the next powder run, smooth flowing singletrack, European cols with a stop at the local coffeehouse. Over the course of over 15 years Jeff has represented Dynastar, Look, Lange, Smith, Faction, Schwinn Toyota, Clif Bar and Scott. Jeff was also published in ads for companies such as United Airlines, Ford, Colorado Ski Country, Powder, Ski, Skiing, Freeze, Freeskier, International Magazines & Destinations. He has appeared on the cover of an international ski magazine as well as appearing in 3 ski films, TV shows and news segments.
Who are the guides?

Le Grand Adventure tours are guided by local professionals in every location they visit. They work closely with their guides to make sure they hold the highest level of guiding, certifications and the most up-to-date first aid training. Their global team holds a wide range of certifications across different disciplines including: IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Guide certifications, UIAGM/IFMGA guide certifications, WFR/WFA Wilderness First Responder & First Aid training, Avalanche training and more.
How much do things cost in Italy? Can I use my credit card?

Credit cards are widely accepted, but Amex is not always accepted. You will need some cash – but just for casual expenses. Most things can be paid for by credit card. The currency is the Euro. Withdrawing cash from your checking account using your US cash/debit card is usually much cheaper than converting dollar bills at an exchange desk and you will get the BEST Exchange rate. Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee around 3-5%. This may be the time to get yourself fun new rewards travel credit card that comes with “No Foreign Transaction Fees.” Italy is affordable as long as the Euro is in our favor. Even if the Euro isn’t in our favor the costs are on the lower end than what we are used to in the US. It’s easy to have an expensive meal, but it’s also easy to eat for less. There isn’t a food mart in the town of Alagna so if you’re looking for snacks to bring with you for the day we recommend picking them up at the airport before we head into the Alps.
Do I need to tip our guides?

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. Le Grand recommends tipping 7-10% of your trip price for the guide team. US Currency is preferred, however, local currency is also greatly appreciated. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on the overall trip experience provided by our team

Testimonials

Alagna and Le Grand really blew my mind. Le Grand really dials [everything] in and helped me maximize what I could have ever done on my own... I skied incredible lines and powder every day there, enjoyed the wine and food and met some really great people that I will stay in touch with!

John B.

Trip Guest

Great tour, really knowledgeable, friendly, open and intelligent Le Grand owners in Jeff and Crystal. Happy to recommend along.

Le Grand Guest

Trip Guest

Alagna, Italy

Ski & Snowboard

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Trip Package Includes

Not Included

Trip Planning

Ski Gear

Splitboard Gear

Other Gear

Casual Clothing

Other

Photo/ Media Experience Mandatory

Is my departure guaranteed?

Is trip insurance required?

What is the athlete experience like?

What is the photo/ media experience like?

What is the apres ski seminar like?

What are the accommodations like?

Are single supplements available? Can I request my own room?

What skill/experience level is required for this trip?

I'm a strong skier/snowboarder but I dont have much/any touring experience, is this trip right for me?

Do you offer rentals?

I see that a climbing harness is recommended, when will be using this?

Can i submit a deposit and what if I need to cancel?

When and how do I meet up with the group?

What will the food be like? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

How many guides will be on the trip?

Who are the coaches?

Who are the guides?

How much do things cost in Italy? Can I use my credit card?

Do I need to tip our guides?

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