An Ultimate Ski Trip for Boys in Italy

With David and Nelson Denman

March 19-27, 2004

A week of Alpine Skiing for Strong Intermediate & Expert Skiers

THE SETTING: The picturesque Italian village of Gressoney, and the Monte Rosa Ski Area (named for the second highest peak in the Alps) northeast of Milan. Looking north from Gressoney, one is staring at the flanks of some of the highest summits in all the Alps. The Monte Rosa Ski Area is world class but still (relatively speaking) undiscovered by the "smart set." Participants will meet the leaders, David and Nelson Denman, at Milan's Malpensa Airport, and travel via private van to Hotel Defour in Gressoney.

Each day will begin with a hearty breakfast and end with a sumptuous four-course dinner (Food in Italy is so special!) in the hotel dining room. In the evenings after dinner, we will relax in the hotel lounge in front of the fireplace and/or enjoy the amenities of the village. After a celebration feast at the end of the week, participants will be transported by private van back to Milan airport.

LODGING: Our home for seven nights will be apartments annexed to the quaint, centrally located Hotel Defour - with ski in/ski out proximity to the slopes! The family of Carlo Cugnetto, our genial host and hotel proprietor, has resided in the Gressoney valley for hundreds of years. The hotel will provide hearty breakfasts and sumptuous dinners. Food in Italy is never skimpy!

THE SKIING: Encompassing the Alagna Ski Area to the east, and to Champaluc Ski Area to the west, Ski Monte Rosa has 38 lifts and 120 miles of groomed ski runs. And over 6,000 vertical feet of descent! That's 1,000 feet more than anywhere in the United States! Plus endless "off-piste" possibilities for competent skiers to explore with our private Italian ski instructor/guide. More than a mere holiday, the trip is an opportunity to hone one's skiing ability and test one's high altitude competence.

Take Your Skiing to the Next Level - Literally! In addition to daily skiing in Gressoney and in the areas to which it is linked, proficient skiers can soar by helicopter up to Col de Lys and to the vast ungroomed slopes high above the valley. From 4,200 meters (12,500 feet), one can ski down into Zermatt, Switzerland, at the foot of the Matterhorn. Then, take the world famous Klein Matterhorn lift up, and ski back down into Italy and home via Champaluc to Gressoney. An unforgettably magnificent day!

Midweek, a licensed Alpine guide will join us to teach about high Alpine terrain snow and weather conditions, and how they do their admirable work. Each of us will have an opportunity to use the sophisticated transceivers.

THE LEADERSHIP: In addition to David and Nelson Denman, a certified professional Italian ski instructor will ski with us daily for the entire week. With three experienced Alpine leaders, the ratio of adults to participant skiers on the slopes will be 1:2.

THE COST: $2,750 USD (with a group of 6) Included: round trip private van transportation via Milan airport; all ski lifts, ski instruction, lodging, breakfasts and dinners, ski accident insurance. (Not included: airfare, heli-skiing, lunches, snacks, telephone use).