Xplore n More Philly: Skiing, Snowboarding, Adventure Group

Details
Austria Ski Trip – Ikon Base Pass / Full Pass (5 Days / 7 Days) alternatively ~€350-450 for lift tickets directly from Ischgl
Dates: January 10th - January 17th (flights depart on Friday, January 9th, arrive 1/10)

COST: SINGLE BED Occupancy: €685pp (roughly $800 USD). Final cost will be determined based on current exchange rates. Any additional costs and/or refunds from the $800 will be tallied after the conclusion of the trip.

Enjoy a memorable ski adventure in Ischgl, Austria. The cross-border ski resort connects Ischgl in Austria with the Swiss duty-free village of Samnaun. From boarding to skiing, jumps in fun parks or freeriding in powder - everything is possible. Very modern chairlifts and even a double-decker cable car transport skiers up to the Silvretta Arena. From beginners’ areas with wide runs to challenging steep slopes, the ski resort of Ischgl and Samnaun has something for everyone. You can end your day on the slopes in one of the many après-ski bars in the ski resort and in the party hotspot of Ischgl.

TRAVEL:
Ideally, all individuals will fly into Zurich or Munich as there are three daily direct flights from Philly (American) or Newark (United, Swiss) . There is not a direct train from Zurich to Galtür Außertschafein, so rental cars will be needed unless you are willing to take multiple train connections. The easiest train option is from Zurich HB to Landeck-Zams Train Station. From there, it is about a 1 hour bus ride into the town of Ischgl. Please take this in mind when considering your packing as this is a very crowded public transit option! Total travel time on public transit ~4.5hrs.

Additionally, the cars are not the same in Europe as the US, and with ski gear + luggage, realistically only 2-3 people will fit per vehicle if renting a larger SUV. The drive from ZURICH to All-Suites is roughly 3 hours, from MUNICH 3.5 hours.

You will be responsible for your own transportation to/from the airport(s) and hotel. Please try to book similar flights as others if you plan to rent a car.

The return will be your choice. There are two options (in addition to leaving on Sunday) that would depart from Zurich or Munich on Saturday late afternoon / early evening giving plenty of time to get from the lodging to the airport and back to US the same day. Majority of the flights do depart in the earlier part of the day (by 11am) so if you choose this option, I recommend booking a hotel in Zurich or Munich the night before unless you want to wake up very early for the return drive/train. Monday, January 19th is MLK Day, and will give you a nice day to recover before heading back to work on Tuesday.

Alternatively, flying to Innsbruck (with layover) and then train/bus from Innsbruck is just under 2 hours. The return flights from Innsbruck are not ideal times/layovers so proceed here with caution.

Flights currently are about $700-900 for the direct option in economy (not economy basic) to Zurich out of PHL or EWR. Alternatively, if you have American Airlines miles, it is currently 45K miles for the roundtrip direct flight from Philly.

PHILLY / ZURICH : $887 as of 4/20/25 - DEPART SUNDAY (1/18/26)

NEWARK / ZURICH: $877 as of 4/20/25 - DEPART SATURDAY EVENING (1/17/26)

NEWARK / MUNICH: $1088 as of 4/20/25 - DEPART SATURDAY EVENING (1/17/26)

LODGING: https://www.apartments-galtuer.com/de/
We have booked THREE 3-bedroom Executive Apartments w/ Balcony/Terrace and have requested for all beds to be made single beds. Each apartment comes with 3 full bathrooms meaning only 2 persons per bedroom/bath. The apartments have full kitchens stocked with the basic cooking appliances needed during our stay. Included with the stay is a heated outdoor infinity pool and wellness area with modern sauna facilities and fitness room. We will also be provided a wellness bag w/ bathrobe, towel and slippers for our stay.
The ski bus to Ischgl is directly in-front of the house, just a short 10 minute bus ride away.

Please advise of your roommate preference if signing up with a friend.

ACTIVITIES:
Once rivalled mainly by St Anton, Ischgl has taken over as the apres-ski capital of Austria. It starts in the early afternoon and continues late into the evening. During peak season, at 5pm it’s difficult to tell where one bar ends and the next begins. The village center can become one swaying mass of happy skiers.
If you’re looking for additional activities aside from downhill skiing/snowboarding, Iscghl offers numerous activities for all appetites.

Activities away from the slopes | Ischgl

RESERVE YOUR SPOT by depositing $800 (this is full amount due since we are after on September 1st)
Cancellations after October 15th incur a $10 penalty, and after November 15th, a $20 penalty, and only refunded with replacement.

Venmo: @SonyaJosephson

Zelle: 610-295-8720

-Deposit is fully refundable until September 1st, after which point, the deposit is only refunded after a replacement is found.
-A payment is required to RSVP your spot on this trip.

GOOGLE SHEET
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H-3eB8Eyzw1o21jDP0u2ORsG_OgZtI5hYtJ4dVkDR80/edit?usp=sharing

**Rules for attending a Xplore N More Overnight Trip:**
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Ru11Patcv5zVsx4_1dW-YXVzvbWAhvfKh2SWqHcbco/edit?usp%3Dsharing&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1719277447037684&usg=AOvVaw1exeewMdlmYp8-wf7vuqHi

Payments
Your Venmo for the amount below to @Logan-Rittberg secures your spot and room/bed selection order:

3 or 4 nights VRBO - $299.84 a person
3 nights hostel - $197.82 a person
4 nights hostel - $257.76 a person
***2 nights hostel - if beds are available on 11/12, they’ll be returned to hostel & you can book there directly

You will be waitlisted until full payment is received.

Lift Tickets BLACKOUT DATES APPLY for 1/17 & 18 blackout dates. See above in hiss to remove blackouts

Refunds: Will be provided until 11/12. After that, a replacement is needed. Extra rooms will be released back to the hostel at this time.

Google Sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17eLskKxns_v2vjhoO5zErf6Uhm_PuNfNCa26oCl4cWM/edit?usp=sharing

Transportation: Is your responsibility, but a Google Sheet will be created to help carpooling.

Group Runs/Meals/Apres/Hangouts: will be organized on the Google Sheet as we get closer. They’re all optional.

By signing up for any XNM overnight trips, you agree to comply with these rules:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Ru11Patcv5zVsx4_1dW-YXVzvbWAhvfKh2SWqHcbco/edit?usp=sharing

XNM SKI TRIP CALENDAR FOR 2025-26 SEASON:

This is NOT an "event" but rather a list of trips that are posted for this upcoming ski/snowboard season. Reach out if interested in helping to coordinate another trip... Especially looking for more young-adult and female organizers to better represent our XNM population!

For Ikon and Epic Passes, the group program ends at the end of August. Reach out for more information before it ends!

Calendar view with links:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1o4QL11XF9RzLEv8l9o4SV_LtBIJJeeJXBGKE9NLdAnc/edit?usp=sharing

BIG SNOW INDOOR SKIING: October 19
Details to come

THANKSGIVING VERMONT: November 28-30
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/311005717/
Note: Spots open

KILLINGTON Season Kickoff: December 11-14
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/309006277/
(This trip is approximately 80% filled with about 80 people having paid, and will fill in the next few weeks)

TREMBLANT NEW YEARS: December 27-January 1 (FULL)
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/307366860/
Note: This trip has 50 people. Join the waitlist in case anyone drops.

EUROPE: ISCHGL, AUSTRIA: January 10-17 (FULL)
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/307304832/
Note: Join the waitlist to jump in as soon as anyone needs to drop off the trip.

SUGARBUSH: January 16-19
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/308065339/
Spots open, requires Ikon Full Pass for holiday weekend

UTAH: Jan 31-Feb 8
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/307292564/
Note: Approximately 100 people are signed up. Join the wait list in case anyone drops.

ASPEN:Feb 21-26
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/310505637/
Spots open, requires Ikon Full Pass for Aspen

STEAMBOAT: Feb 26 - March 3
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/310366942/
Note: Spots open

POWDER CHASE TRIP: March 11-15 (FULL)
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/310639150/
Note: trip is full, join the waitlist in case anyone drops

ALASKA, ALYESKA: Mar 21-28 (Two Spots Open)
https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/events/310446716/
Two spots are open.

RESCHEDULED TO NEXT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21st:

Beginner-friendly night to hang out and climb at Reach Climbing in Bridgeport. At 9pm, if more than 4 people are interested to grab a bite to eat, we will chose somewhere nearby that is open.

Day Pass - $24
Rental Gear - $10
https://reachclimbing.com/rates/

Note: Reach will allow you to boulder, use auto-belays and be belayed by other certified belayers, however if you would like to belay others they will require that you take the belay test or take a class to learn to belay. Check their class schedule if you are interested in taking the class in advance.

We will most likely go out to either Yards or Tommy's in KOP for a bite to eat afterwards.