Cross-Country Skiing Weekend, Italy

This fantastic introductory skiing holiday is based in the small Italian village and valley of Cogne, famously home to Italy's tallest peak, the Gran Paradiso, as well as being known for a place to find prefect snow conditions late on into the year. There's plenty of choice regarding terrain and length of your daily journeys, with plenty of Alpine scenery to keep you in awe. The skating takes place along well-groomed tracks, while the skis themselves are typically shorter, stiffer and lighter than classic skis. You'll also get to revel in the town's unique history and architecture, from the traditional stone houses to the 18th century chapel.

With much emphasis being placed on learning the unqiue techniques and skills involved in this form of skiing, this is an ideal trip for beginners with little or no experience, but may not be a great choice if you're already well-versed in the sport and are looking for more freedom to explore all day.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Valnontey Cogne, near Aosta. Stay at Hotel La Barme

Days 2 - 4:
Start with an introduction to the skating technique, either honing your skills or learning completely new skills from scratch. Every morning, you'll have a technique session in the morning, followed by lunch, an afternoon session and some free time to put your newly learned skills into practice. You'll be able to explore the Cogne Valley, which offers around 45km of classic and skate ski trails, so you'll have plenty of choice of where to explore.

Day 5:
Departure Day