- What ability level do I need to be?
We accept all ability levels for trips and we will do our best to match you accordingly. However, some of our trips are advance skiers/snowboarders only, as they are geared specifically to ski mountaineering. Private individual/group trips can always be of any ability level, as we focus on avalanche safety & terrain analysis on all tours and also cater to skiers that are interested in improving their powder & steep skiing skills.
- What type of snow will we encounter in the Andes, Alps, and the Wasatch?
In the Andes, we will have all types of snow, ranging from Rocky Mountain light powder in the north, to Sierra like snow in the south (depending on temperature and also from season to season).
The Alps usually see a mix of conditions, as the range is broad. They will have anything from the cold snows of Interior British Columbia to the wet snows of the Cascades.
The Wasatch says it the best out of all the locations in the world, “The Greatest Snow On Earth”. This is definitely true 98% of the time, as the powder is light and fluffy.
- Is there a visa requirement to enter any areas in South America, Europe or the United States?
There are visa requirements for entering Brazil for U.S, Canadian, and Australian citizens. No visa is required for traveling to Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Western European countries, or the United States.
- What types of currency will we be using while traveling on Endless Turns guided skiing or unguided adventure travel trips?
In Argentina- Argentine Peso; Chile- the Chilean Peso; Brazil- the Reais; Uruguay- the Uruguayan Peso; Western Europe- the Euro; United States- the Dollar.
- Which trip will best suit me?
This will depend on whether or not you would like to take a guided ski trip or an adventure travel trip. On the guided portion, we offer both resort and backcountry ski & snowboard trips. Look at each of the trips and its respective location, as this will tell you more of the type of skiing you will be doing and the duration of the trip. Remember, we can arrange private trips for your desired amount of time, ability level, and budget. If you would prefer other excursions and outdoor activities, then we suggest an unguided adventure trip to one of our many wonderful locations throughout the world. Feel free to contact us for more information regarding the different countries where we offer trips.
- What type of transportation will we be using while on the backcountry or adventure travel trips?
On both types of Endless Turns trips, we will be using taxis, vans, and internal flights within South America (there will also be the occasional donkey or Alpaca ride through the mountains!); in Europe we will use trains, vans, and taxis on our trips; in Utah we will predominately be using vans and SUV’s.
- What time period is best for skiing in the Andes, the Alps, and the Wasatch?
- The best time months to ski in South America are from July through September. However, late June can be good with early season storms.
- In the Alps, our favorite time is spring skiing, as March, April, and the first part of may generally see more stable snow conditions and longer days for ski touring and enjoying the après-ski. Big storms can also roll through the Alps during this time, turning spring back into winter-like powder conditions.
- In Utah the season goes from November through June (some of the times even well into July, like the 2008 season will likely do). Nonetheless, the best time for skiing Utah is typically from Thanksgiving weekend through the middle of April.
- What backcountry equipment will Endless Turns provide on its guided ski & snowboard trips?
Endless Turns will provide avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes to all clients. Backcountry skis or split snowboards will be required of all skiers and snowboarders, unless the trip is a resort-focused trip. These will have to be brought to South America, as they do not rent this type of gear in the Andes. However, if you are coming on one of our Alps or Wasatch based trips, then renting gear is not a problem.
- What type of accommodations does Endless Turns use during is guided and unguided trips?
Endless Turns clients for the most part stay in 4-star accommodations, but both 3 and 5-star properties are available. All trip prices are based on double occupancy, but single & triple rooms, as well as apartments are available in all of our locations Worldwide.
- How much experience do the Endless Turns backcountry ski & snowboard guides have?
All of our guides have certifications in avalanche & snow safety, as well as wilderness first aid. In addition, they have ski patrol and ski instruction backgrounds, years of backcountry skiing & training experience. Our guides have been trained by the American Mountain Guides Association and update their guiding certifications annually through guide seminars.
- Where can I obtain travel and international health insurance plans for the time I am going to be overseas?
The two companies that we recommend are World Nomad (www.worldnomad.com) and Travelex (www.travelex.com). Please see their respective websites for more details and you can also contact Endless Turns for more details. These plans are very inexpensive and quick to get. Travel insurance is required for all guided backcountry ski & snowboard trips and is suggested for our adventure travel trips.
- Are individual, as well as group trips available?
Yes, both individual and group trips are available for our backcountry guided, as well as our adventure travel trips. We would be glad to arrange both types of trips for large groups, such as ski, mountaineering, and hiking clubs, church groups, sports teams, and friends or family annual reunions. Contact us for more information, so that we can put together the perfect vacation trip for you. Groups will receive a discount for both guided ski trips, as well as adventure travel trips.
- How can I make international phone calls from abroad and is there Internet access?
International phone calls are not a problem and phone cards can be bought in kiosks throughout South America, Europe, and the U.S. There are also call centers throughout South America, where telephone calls back home are inexpensive. Another way of making phone calls from abroad is to purchase a Sims card in the country (s) you are visiting and replace your current phone’s Sims card with the new one. In order to do this, you will have to get a pin to unlock your cell phone in your home country prior to departing. Upon arriving in the foreign country you will be traveling in, you can obtain this card and change it out. Each country will have phone cards that you then upload to your phone and you’re ready to dial!
- What expenses are not included in Endless Turns backcountry ski and adventure travel trips?
- Lunches
- Dinners on adventure travel trips (many are included on our backcountry ski trips)
- Gratuities for the guides or other service oriented people on your trip.
- Beverages of any sort
- Entertainment
- Extra excursions/activities not previously reserved
- Taxi rides
- Souvenirs
- Extra days/nights, unless booked during trip reservation period.
- Do I need to speak other languages in order to travel on the trips, which are out of my home country?
While it would be great to speak 4 or 5 languages fluently, not too many people are immersed in this on a daily basis. On our backcountry trips, our guides are fluent in many of the languages that we travel to. Spanish is one of the languages where everyone will be able to pick up a little here and there, as you spend time in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. In Brazil, Portuguese is the native language and is definitely a bit harder to learn, unless you have studied it for a while. Over in Western Europe, you will hear French, German, Italian, Austrian, Swiss German, and about 1000 dialects of each language. Being able to say a few words and phrases will be helpful, but most people are very helpful to travelers who are discovering their beautiful countries. We recommend bringing dictionaries and phrase books for the countries and their languages.
- In case of an emergency back home, how can I be contacted?
Endless Turns will provide you with cell phone numbers of each of our ski guides on the backcountry trips, hotel phone numbers, and email addresses of all of our staff members. This way, you can pass these on to family member and loved ones to have encase of an emergency. On the adventure travel trips, you can reach one of us here at Endless Turns at: 001-801-272-3354. Feel free to call collect if this is an emergency and we will assist you in every possible way that we can.
- In the case that mountain passes or ski resorts are closed a day or two while on one of the Endless Turns guided backcountry ski & snowboard trips, what other activities will be substituted?
In the event that the high mountain passes or resorts are closed, we will have other activities and excursions as a backup plan to fully take advantage of what each travel destination has to offer.
Activities may include, but won’t be limited to:
- Mountain biking (down low in desert or valley locations)
- Whitewater rafting
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Asados (barbeques in Argentina)
- Castle and cheese factory tours
- City tours
- Wine tours
- Museums
- Boat rides (Ushuaia, Bariloche, Europe)
- Brewery tours (Europe)
- Olympic venue tours (Utah Winter Sports Park & Innsbruck-Austria, Munich-Germany)
|
