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SKIARE SKIING ITALY HOLIDAY TESTIMONIALS
With Skiare you can do what we did, which is ski/snowboard independently or go with Thomas or Debbie....we might add that they are expert skiers! As intermediate snowboarders we were initially worried, but there is a massive number of runs for all levels. In fact you can board all day and never go down the same run twice. Our boarding improved greatly over our stay as the runs are so long compared to Australia. What can we say about Alta Badia...the beauty of the dolomites, the fantastic boarding and amazing Italian food and wine. The best combination of a European and snow holiday. We can't wait to go back to see Thomas and Debbie in Alta Badia. Take Care,
The next morning Thomas had me ticketed and geared up with skis in a flash, and before I knew it we were ascending the face toward Piz La Villa. The gondola sped smoothly and silently up the side of the mountain, directly over the awesome Gran Risa run. 'You'll be skiing that in a few days', Thomas remarked casually. My head spun round to look at him and see if he was joking. He wasn't. And a few days later I did, to my extreme surprise and pleasure! That day I could not keep a silly grin of pure pleasure off my face. I was skiing through a series of picture postcard landscapes on perfect new snow. It was so much better than I had dreamt it could be. All around me, spectacular pink peaks thrust proudly skyward through the now heavy snowfalls that carpeted their lower slopes, providing a promise of days of good skiing to come. Accessing a mind blowing array of high speed lifts and gondolas, we skied through ancient villages, lovely snow-clad gladed runs, and craggy edged alpine bowls, ever finding a sure surface on the impeccably groomed runs. How on Earth do the Italians do it' How do you groom such a vast area each and every night' Remarkable . . . Every day we skied new terrain and passed through different villages, culminating in the circuit around the Sella Ronda mountain range, not skiing the same run twice on that breathless day. And always there was the promise of new culinary pleasures as we lunched at a variety of marvelous mountain huts, where Thomas and Macca were obviously well known and well liked, guaranteeing excellent service for our group. The only difficulty was in choosing which delicious Italian or German dish to wash down with the local Chianti. And of course, on top of all this, with the expert tuition offered by Thomas and Macca, my skiing improved out of sight! When I made my booking with Thomas he promised that Skiare would exceed my expectations. He certainly did that almost on a daily basis, not just for me, but for each and every guest. Nothing was ever too much trouble. He cheerfully provided a taxi service whenever anyone wanted to go shopping in a nearby town. He called into the hotel each and every night after dinner, often accompanied by Macca, to have a drink with the guests and make sure everything was fine. One guest requested a keyboard - Thomas got it in a flash. When at the last minute I decided to stay an extra night he calmly arranged alternative travel plans to get me down to Venice the next morning. I found myself wondering how he managed to juggle it all. I cannot recommend Skiare highly enough. If you love to ski, you love beauty and you love to live, then just do yourself a very big favor and sign up with Thomas for a tour of the majestic Dolomites. I guarantee you won't regret it. Judy Passlow, Sydney
Just a quick note to let you know how we enjoyed our holiday with you. We had the best skiing holiday ever, we will never forget it! The great skiing, the fabulous scenery, good weather and above all, your fantastic hospitality, made for a most memorable holiday. Our guide looked after us enthusiastically, from the heli-skiing of the Marmolada, to night skiing down the Gran Risa, he provided endless encouragement and entertainment! We eagerly await our next holiday with you so we may once again enjoy skiing in the beautiful Alta Badia. Looking forward to catching up with you again soon. Ciao!
Everyday we were shown different skiing terrain, another excellent restaurant for our lunch stop, new skiing techniques and finished the last run with a schnapps and a hoot down to Hotel Christiania where we all participated in many rounds of grande beer. Even Alison is now drinking beer. Hotel Christiania offers excellent accommodation with first class meals and hospitality. When one of our party injured herself, Thomas made sure that the best of medical attention was given. We have all declared our intention to return to La Villa and enjoy another Skiare holiday. Alison and Glenn Christian
Knowing where to begin is difficult as there were so many highlights of our holiday with you. On the afternoon of our arrival while standing on our balcony at the Hotel Christiania overlooking the glorious Dolomite mountains I thought to myself: this is heaven on a stick! There were so many contrasts like high-tech lift-passes and the latest ski equipment for hire and then to be skiing between villages with cows in barns and washing strung on a balcony clothesline - it was so different to anything we have experienced in other ski resorts. With your encouragement I overcame my fear of heights, albeit with eyes firmly shut, to go heliskiing something I have refused on previous skiing holidays. Skiing the 42 km Sella Ronda was something Michael and I will always remember as was skiing the black world cup course or the home-trail with only one stop (at the Schnappes hut!)
Thanks again for the best holiday, ever! Molto bene grazie, Thomas!
Dear Thomas,
We take back to Sydney a host of memorable experiences from our week in La Villa, due in no small part to your company's experience, professionalism & vast array of local knowledge. From your choice of accommodation to Macca's recommendations of 'bars & restaurants', all were first rate & contributed to our holiday experience. Of particular note was the Christmas Day lunch at the mountain top restaurant. Our arrival by a (very slow) horse drawn cart, your attempt to pour the local beer in a tall glass, afterwards a visit to the snow covered local church, followed by the express ski trip home. Again we express our gratitude & look forward to another Skiare experience in the very near future. Best wishes & kind regards,
Everything was well planned so we could relax and have a good ski. Michael & Kim Brodie Well, it's now two years in a row that I've skied with Thomas and Macka from Skiare, and they haven't disappointed yet. The first year they kept telling me that it was the worst season they have ever had at La Villa' I didn't tell them that it was some of the best skiing I have ever done. I've been to Canada, USA, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and NZ, but nothing compares to the long, wide, smooth piste of the Dolomites. Did I mention smooth! Yep, those Italians really like the groomed stuff, and so do my knees! This year was just amazing. Snow everywhere, perfect cover, dry powder and many more of those refuges spread across the valleys.
Ending each day with an hour of wellness at Hotel La Majun, 5 courses of amazing food and Natalie asking, 'was everything to your satisfaction' just makes you want to return. It's an experience not to miss. To conclude, let me borrow some famous words, 'I'll be back.' John Arbanas
Thomas and Debbie's attention to detail ensured the three children, and ourselves, felt individually pampered. The ambience of La Villa and the Hotel Christiania provided a special touch at the end of every satisfying day skiing the breathtaking Dolomites.' Jonothan & Robyn Stewart
Thomas and Debbie were not the perfect hosts, and they
provided a very ordinary package in which every detail was
taken care of, including arranging accommodation transfers
and just everything. . . They could have done more. Their
knowledge of the region, mountains, snow conditions, night
life, shopping, and how to take care of people was so ordinary. We visited so many places, including Cortina, Corvara,
Lagazuoi, and La Sella Ronda. Why I'll never know. Because
of the small groups that I was a part of, the individual
and personalised attention made my skiing fail dramatically.
So then what happens is they take me to the summit of Marmolada
in a helicopter. So I skiied down. Big deal! Only been skiing
a couple of weeks. The video analysis played a big part
in this too, with full credit going to Thomas's experience
in trick photography and appalling teaching skills. Needless to say, that after such a totally flat and boring
time, I returned in 2002. I can't say enough about the uninteresting cultural experience; the accommodation and food was so ordinary; the people aggressive and hostile; the apres ski, entertainment and outings tiring and very tame. When I consider the lack of professionalism, extortion and boredom factor, skiing with Skiare must not become my annual event! E. M. Findlay
Dear Debbie and Thomas, Kate and I arrived back in Oz today..28 degrees and humid ++ after a record cold in Vienna and Slovenia. Our memories of Alta Badia are of a truly great family holiday, and doubtless the major contributing factors were the professionalism, and personal care of Skiare. You offer a first class service, I shall recommend you to my contacts, and wish you every continuing success. Keep in touch,
We would like to thank you for looking after our daughter so well in December. She has only had great things to say about her holiday in Colfosco with the Melbourne Grammar and Xavier tour. She spoke very highly of you both and also your little daughter Elina. Anastasia's photos were able to give us a glimpse of how amazing the scenery is in the Alta Badia. We are very grateful to you for giving our daughter the opportunity to ski in your wonderfully beautiful part of the world. Without your tour she would not have had such a great experience. All our thanks to you both for giving Anastasia such a maturing experience. Wishing you all a Happy New Year. Regards From Kon and Gabriella Starzynski.
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We
went to Alta Badia with Skiare at Christmas 2007. We cannot recommend
Thomas and Debbie from Skiare enough. We saw the Getaway segment
on Alta
Badia with Thomas and Debbie and booked with little notice shortly
after.
Even the segment did not do the place justice...it was amazing.
What we
found really invaluable with Skiare was the local knowledge and
personal
attention. Thomas and Debbie organised our accomodation, ski passes,
transfers and Debbie met us at the train station. They personally
make sure
that your Alta Badia experience is everything you want it to be.
I
was alone, a well seasoned solo traveller, but still possessed
of that slight sense of unease that comes when you are entering
unfamiliar territory. The Skiare's staff open manner and warm
friendly smiles soon put me at ease
Dear
Thomas and Debbie
Our
holiday with you was wonderful - the snow, the lifts, the scenery,
the ski tips, the guided tours over that huge area, & the
accommodation. It was all so hassle free especially being picked
up & returned to Innsbruck airport. Thank you for looking
after us so well. The Italian Tirol must be one of the best places
in the world. We have skied in U.S.A. Canada France & Switzerland
& it comes out top. 
Congratulations
to Thomas, Macka and Debbie in obtaining such an excellent standard
in travel organisation and hospitality. Thomas and Macka gave
our group a skiing experience of the highest standard, catering
for first time travellers as well as the more experienced. We
did check prices with other competitors but found the Skiare package
outstanding value for money. The attention to detail sets them
apart from the others.
As
you know, we've had some wonderful holidays skiing in The States
and Canada but none of which compare skiing Alta Badia with you
where every day offered a surprise better than the previous one.
Tim says it was 'the best holiday ever!" skiing chutes off-piste
with a mountaineer, heliskiing, ice-climbing, skiing the world
cup course in Cortina learning to play "500" in the
evenings - and being allowed to have an ale with dinner courtesy
of the Italian drinking laws - what more could a 17 year old male
ask for, well, maybe a 17 year old Italian girl! He, like us,
really enjoyed the authentic atmosphere in La Villa where nothing
is manufactured for the sake of the tourist dollar - a horse-drawn
rope tow is not something we have ever encountered before. 
"Makka",
please thank him for contributing to the fun of our holiday -
a great instructor, great laugh and fun to be with. Debbie, thank
you for your friendship and taking time to ski with us as we thoroughly
enjoyed your companionship both on and off the mountain. Thomas,
thank you for your humour, encouragement, all the 'surprises',
for providing Tim with challenges and finding some nice cruising
slopes after we'd tackled the steep stuff. Hotel Christiania'
Wonderful accommodation, friendly staff, too much fabulous food,
great entertainment on party night, perfectly located by the gondola,
loved the decor - loved everything! 
We
wish to take this opportunity to personally thank yourself &
'Macca' for affording my daughters & I the most enjoyable
of skiing holidays.
Having
two experienced guides made it so easy to cover hundreds of kms
of great skiing but the best part was stopping at great restaurants
in scenic locations you would never find alone.
That
now leads me on to the tasks I set the team at Skiare this year.
I wanted adventure and 5 kilos around my stomach at the end of
the week. Boy, did they come through with the goods. To help with
the adventure, who better to guide us than local mountain guide,
Diego. For kicks we decided to climb an ice waterfall one morning.
Ice axe and crampons were unusual. We also wanted some off piste
skiing and ski touring. We skied the Mid Day Valley' only after
an epic trek through the snow to get there. It's steep and deep,
and according to Diego we were some of the first people to ski
through all year. After the pounding, legs were aching from the
serious skiing and stomach was hurting from all the laughter watching
everyone cart wheel through the deep powder. Off course the day
ends with a huge lunch of pasta and German Beer. Fantastic! Then
there was the food, and more food. Lunch is a culinary experience.
Make sure you have it late though. Pasta, polenta and pastries,
followed by too much schnapps, wiezen and some potent punch leave
the legs a little wobbly. Thank goodness there is a lot of cruisy
groomed stuff.
'Our
family experience with Skiare in the Dolomites had us planning
next years ski trip before the end of the week. Thomas's expertise
extended far beyond his ability as an instructor, giving us the
ultimate skiing experience.
In
2000, I was a first time beginner skier at Mt Buller for three
days, then again for one week. I hated it so much that I decided
to take another ski adventure in Feb 2001. So I spent a miserable
month with Skiare, in the Dolomites in Northern Italy. Certainly
the most unspectacular scenery, and definitely the worst place
to even try to have the adventure holiday of a lifetime. 
Hello
Thomas and Debbie,