ALPS VS. ROCKIES?
by Miriam Meijer

With a strong U.S. Dollar, skiing in Europe may cost the same as—or even less than—a comparable trip in the western United States. Andrea Sachs compared both sides of the "pond" recently in The Washington Post.

The American West offers orderly, groomed mountains, well-defined runs, and runs ski schools with military efficiency, while the Alps deliver beautiful scenery, gourmet food, four-star hotels and postcard villages. Deep-seated cultural differences appear in things like a sled ride, one in Italy, for example—that ends abruptly, on a rural road populated by chickens and goats, with no track, no seat belt, no helmet, no release form—is not likely to occur in lawsuit-crazy America. The Alps have a relaxed anarchy, without the mega ski companies of America.

American ski trails fall below the tree line. They are often carved into national forest, with lots of greenery and narrow, well-designed routes that widen at the bottom. European skiers carve turns above the tree line, in vast open spaces bereft of vegetation. Their trails are wide at the top but narrow closer to the base. Skiing tickets in America cost US$35-60 per day, although deals can be had early or late in the season. The season runs from about Thanksgiving to Easter, continuing even to June. American ski resorts use zippy quad chairlifts, whereas Europeans value comfort in enclosed gondolas, chairlifts with pull-down tops, trams, or funiculars. One-day passes in Europe are US$25-35. The ski season in Europe runs from pre-Christmas to mid-April; glacier skiing continues into the summer. Outback skiing in Europe is not allowed without a guide, due to avalanches. Many trails in Europe lead to other villages, other mountains, and even other countries.

Americans prefer slope side ski in/ski out lodging-whether a condo or a room at a city-size resort. They hustle through cafeteria lines, gulp down fast food (nachos, burgers, soup in a bread bowl), and return to the slopes ("dine and dash"). Mountainside cafeterias close early so skiers can descend to the base for the Happy Hour, that can range from frat-partyesque beer drinking to brandy by a fireplace or wine at a piano bar. European hotels (without on-site hot tubs or fitness rooms) are centered in villages that are a short walk from the mountain. Regional cuisine is slow but always excellent (in old cowsheds or mountain huts). Après-ski in Europe begins before the last run of the day, in a hut halfway down the mountain, so that skiers, warmed by hot wine and shredded potatoes with cheese, often descend in the dark. Pastry shops are also favored. Cultural life in America's ski regions is limited to museums on miners, Mormons, cowboys and Indians; film festivals, crafts shows, or ice sculpture competitions. The Old World has centuries-old churches, tiny art and local history museums, cheese making, winter sports exhibits, concerts, and Otzi the Iceman (the 5,300-year-old corpse discovered 9 years ago on the Austrian-Italian border) in Bolzano, Italy. On bad snow days, there's always Venice, Geneva, or Salzburg.

Skiing is great fun. The first one down wins—but you also want to be able to get up again. Bear in mind the possibility of a ski-related accident, rescue and medical costs. Study the fine print on your own insurance policy, verify how long your health coverage lasts outside of your nation (injury is usually covered up to 30 days outside of the United States), and, if necessary, buy a supplemental plan that covers you skiing and abroad. Generally skiers are not charged to get down the mountain, although there are extra fees for helicopter assistance and transportation from the mountain to the hospital, in America, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. France, however, charges for mountain rescue service. To buy ski insurance with your daily or weekly lift passes, you must ask for it from ticket sales people because they will not necessarily offer it otherwise. A more secure way to get ski insurance is through an insurance plan. The most comprehensive selection of international medical insurance and trip protection products can be found at WorldTravelCenter.com.

Patriot International^SM has comprehensive medical coverage for American citizens traveling from 15 days to one year. Each Patriot plan covers basic sports (the "Special Sports Coverage") including amateur athletic activities that are non-contact and engaged in by an insured person solely for leisure, recreational, entertainment or fitness purposes. The activities not covered include amateur or professional sports or other athletic activity that is organized and/or sanctioned, involving regular or scheduled practices and/or regular or scheduled games. An "Optional Sports Rider"—an amendment to the policy to add coverage—is available if you want to be insured for snow skiing and snowboarding, among other hazardous activities. You can then thoroughly enjoy yourself with peace of mind!

Allatt, Macy. "Invest in Yourself," SKI Magazine (2000).

Sachs, Andrea. "Continental Divide: Alps Vs. Rockies," The Washington Post (December 3, 2000): E09.

Sottili, Carol. "Old World, Fresh Powder," The Washington Post (December 3, 2000): E01.

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