Skiing at a Swiss winter resort may sound like an outrageously expensive idea for those touring Europe on a budget, but it can be more reasonable than most realize.
For example, through Jugi Tours, the travel service of the Swiss Youth Hostel Association, travelers of all ages can buy economical packages for this winter.
Travelers who don`t want to join a group are offered 7- and 14-day ”do-it-yourself” packages, which include multi-bedded accommodations,
breakfasts and dinners, lift passes for 6 or 13 days, general information and (if requested) ski or snow-board lessons.
The independent holidays in Arosa (a mountain village near Davos) are available starting each Sunday Dec. 22 to April 4. A single week costs $324;
two weeks are $587.
With five half-day ski lessons, one week would cost $369; a two-week holiday with 10 half-day lessons is $755. Grindelwald independent holidays include 7- or 14-day lift passes and are available to start any Sunday between Dec. 22 and April 12.
A one-week package is $361, two weeks are $645. With ski lessons, one-week packages cost $492; two-week packages are $908.
The do-it-yourself packages also are available for the famous St. Moritz area, where there are 236 miles of ski trails.
Lift passes are valid for 6 or 13 days. Ski lessons are for 6 or 12 half- days. Packages can begin any Saturday between Jan. 4 and April 11. One week costs $375; two weeks are $682. With lessons, one-week packages cost $500, and two-week packages are $930.
Those between 16 and 35 have the option of joining groups of travelers from a variety of countries.
This winter there are alpine ski camps for anyone 16 to 30, and cross-country ski camps for travelers between 16 and 35.
Participants for all programs must be members of the International Youth Hostel Federation. The least expensive programs are for cross-country skiing. Packages, at $204, include the services of a guide and accommodations in multi-bedded rooms plus breakfast and dinner, for 7 days.
This is the first year the cross-country packages will be available in Davos, which has 47 miles of trails. The only week available begins Dec. 26.
The Maloja area, which is less than 12 miles southwest of St. Moritz, is where the 10,000 participants of the annual Engadine Marathon start the famous event. There are 93 miles of trails in the area.
Cross-country camps will begin on Dec. 26, Feb. 2 and March 16.
Alpine ski camps for the 16- to 30-year-olds also include guide services plus accommodations in multi-bedded rooms with breakfast and dinner, for 7 days, and ski lift pass. Ski camps in Saanen, with 6-day lift passes, will begin on Dec. 28 and Feb. 1, and cost $405.
Grindelwald packages include 7-day lift passes, start on Dec. 28 and Feb. 15, and cost $412.
Klosters packages include 6-day lift passes, start on Dec. 26 and Feb. 15 and cost $375.
The Braunwald ski camps provide three meals a day, 6-day lift passes, start on Dec. 26 and Feb. 8 and cost $397. Weekly rentals for skis, boots and poles average $109.
For futher information, contact Jugi Tours, Neufeldstrasse 9, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland, or call 031 23 26 21 (fax 031 23 66 71). For more information on Switzerland, contact the Swiss National Tourist Office, Suite 2930, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601; 312-630-5840.
