Learn new skills on the mountains and make new friends this winter, on the new group trips with Ski Safari
With more than two decades of experience, first-hand knowledge of all the resorts and properties offered and the award for the highest-recommended tour operator by the Ski Club of Great Britain for four years running, Ski Safari has now launched three exciting group trips for skiers and snowboarders keen to advance to the next level.
Whether it be sweeping through fresh powder in Hokkaido, Japan, heli-skiing in Panorama, Canada or venturing off-piste in Scandinavia, guests will be excited, challenged and inspired.
Group tours are an ideal way to meet like-minded enthusiasts who enjoy learning new skills on the mountain. Each trip comprises the company’s in-depth expertise and has been designed with clear objectives in mind, including the right amount of instruction or guiding, to make sure everyone achieves their goal.
Not only are these sociable itineraries a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, but Richard Rice, the Founder and Chairman of Ski Safari – and an avid skier – will lead each group tour; making sure everything runs smoothly.
Hokkaido ‘Now for Pow’ Group Ski and Snowboard Trip
Experience Japan’s phenomenal powder, spectacular tree skiing and steamy-hot springs on this new group tour, hosted by Richard Rice and Kenji Matsuzawa, a Hokkaido local. Staying on the north island of Hokkaido – Japan’s snowiest region, with an average 14 metres of snow falling each season – guests will have the opportunity to explore many renowned resorts, such as Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro and Moiwa. In each destination, skiers and snowboarders can look forward to ungroomed bowls and world-class runs. Included is a full day of cat-skiing offering easy access to some of the best Japanese tree skiing in an unused ski resort flanking Niseko. Throughout the tour, Kenji Matsuzawa will share his knowledge of secret powder stashes, lively local bars and relaxing onsens with the guests of Ski Safari. Part of the group experience includes two traditional dinners downtown to delve deeper into Japanese traditions and culture.
Who for? The trip is aimed at intermediate and above skiers and snowboarders with experience of powder.
Richard Rice, Founder and Chairman, says: ‘Pow, pow, pow! Based on our experiences over the last few seasons we’ve created the perfect trip to deliver the very best of what Hokkaido has to offer’.
How much? A seven-night Hokkaido ‘Now for Pow’ Group Ski and Snowboard Trip, departing 23 January 2019, costs from £3,600 pp (two sharing) or £4,090 pp single room). The price includes return flights (London to Sapporo) with British Airways and JAL, transfers to and from resort, seven-nights’ accommodation at The Green Leaf on a B&B basis, daily-lift passes and inter-resort transfers, four days’ powder guiding, one day cat-skiing, two group dinners in town and fully hosted by Richard Rice and Kenji Matsuzawa.
For more information, or to book, please call 01273 224 067 or visit www.skisafari.com/group-ski-holidays/hokkaido-now-for-pow-group-trip#the-trip
Panorama ‘Ready for Heli’ Group Ski and Snowboard Trip
Located in British Columbia, Panorama offers the perfect base for an introduction to heli-skiing. Home to 2,847 acres of terrain, most of which is tree-lined, Panorama appeals to all ages and abilities. More advanced skiers will love one of the biggest vertical drops in North America, at 1,300 metres, the incredible Taynton Bowl and an epic double-black diamond run that was added in the 2017/18 season, appropriately called ‘The Monster’. Hosted by Richard Rice, learn to tackle powder terrain pre-heli-skiing, get ready to ski the phenomenal off piste and take part in a one-day avalanche safety training course, before boarding the helicopter and preparing for the big drop. Throughout the week, top instructors will help guests build their confidence, brush up on their skills whilst skiing powder amongst the region’s dramatic peaks. At the end of each active day, the Upper Village Condos offer skiers and snowboarders four-star, slope-side accommodation. The modern units are well presented and have access to the Panorama Springs Hot Pools, Canada’s largest slope side pools and hot tub area to rejuvenate aching limbs.
Who for? This trip is aimed at intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to take their first turns off-piste or to improve in powder.
Richard Rice says: ‘There is nothing quite like the thrill of heli-skiing – if you’ve never tried it, but always wanted to, this is the ideal way to do it for the first time. We’ll cover the skiing and snowboarding techniques required, as well as the all-important avalanche safety training in the run up to the big day’.
How much? A seven-night Panorama ‘Ready for Heli’ Group Ski and Snowboard Trip, departing 16 March 2019, costs from £2,900 pp (two sharing) or £3,160 pp (single room). The price includes return flights (London to Calgary) with Air Canada, transfers to and from resort, seven-nights’ accommodation at Upper Village Condos on a B&B basis, five-day Panorama lift ticket, three days’ guiding and heli-prep instruction, one day avalanche safety training, one day heli-skiing with RK Heliski, three lunches, après ski and fully hosted by Richard Rice.
For more information, or to book, please call 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com/group-ski-holidays/panorama-ready-for-heli-group-trip#the-trip
Riksgränsen ‘Goodbye to Groomers’ Group Ski Trip
Explore the endless off-piste and backcountry just north of the Arctic Circle in the snow-sure resorts of Riksgränsen and Björkliden in Sweden. Riksgränsen is the world’s most northerly ski resort with a backcountry area the size of the Netherlands and is known for the Northern Lights, its midnight sun and its magical wilderness.
On this new tour, skiers can gain confidence on the wide, flowing groomed slopes before progressing off-piste in one of the most serene places in the world. The group trip will take place in April, when the snow conditions are excellent (averaging over 5 metres – typical snow base of 2 ½ metres) and there are more than 16 hours of daylight per day. Included on the trip is a ski touring taster day and guests will also have the chance to try cat-skiing or heli-skiing for an additional price, if wanted. Every evening, return to the Riksgränsen Hotel, a three-star-plus accommodation just a short walk from the pistes, with a ski-rental shop and a spa with an indoor pool on site. The hotel looks over the sparkling Vassijaure frozen lake, which has bubbling hot tubs available for winter-sports enthusiasts to completely relax in. And those after a bit of après-ski can head down to the hotel’s underground bar, which sees many live bands perform.
Who for? The trip is aimed at confident, intermediate-and-above skiers able to ski parallel turns on red and black runs.
Richard Rice says: ‘The pistes are just there to get you off-piste! If you are looking to make the transition from piste skier to off-piste skier, this is the trip for you. The ski-touring taster adds a different view into the world of off-piste skiing’.
How much? A seven-night Riksgränsen ‘Goodbye to Groomers’ Group Ski Trip, departing 21 April 2019, costs from £2,600 pp (two sharing) or £3,100 pp (single room). The price includes return flights (London to Kiruna), transfers to and from the resort, seven-nights’ accommodation at Riksgränsen Hotel on a half-board basis, six-day Riksgränsen and Björkliden lift pass, five days’ guiding or instructing, avalanche training, six-days’ hire of backpack, shovel, probe and transceiver, one half-day guided ski touring in Björkliden and fully hosted by Richard Rice.
Cat-skiing costs from an additional £80 pp
Heli-skiing costs from an additional £450 pp (for a three-run package)
For more information, or to book, please call 01273 224 068 or visit https://www.skisafari.com/group-ski-holidays/riksgransen-goodbye-to-groomers-group-trip
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com
