alpine in forbes
Sledding the Eiger with Alpine Adventures | Swiss Alps Rodel Trip
Rodeling the Eiger: Sledding Adventures in the Swiss Alps
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Sledding in the Swiss Alps Is on Another Level
Skiing gets the attention, but sledding in the Swiss Alps? That’s where the fun really is. Picture a 10-mile descent under the shadow of the Eiger: fast, a little wild, and absolutely worth the trip. In the Bernese Highlands, rodeling isn’t an add-on. It is the adventure.
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Grindelwald to Mürren, One Trail at a Time
Start in Grindelwald, end in Mürren, and in between, sled your way through some of the best alpine terrain in Europe. You’re not stuck on one hill; you’re weaving through forests, sliding past frozen cliffs, and soaking in glacier views. No skills required beyond showing up ready to go.
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Go All In: The Grand Eiger Traverse
This is the full experience: 7 days of guided sledding from hut to hut, covering legendary runs like Big Pintenfritz and the Fox Run. You’ll stay in mountain lodges, eat well, and end up in car-free Mürren, where a hot meal and cold drink are waiting. All the logistics are covered — just bring your winter legs.
It’s easy, elegant, and exactly what a winter escape should feel like.
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Want the Fun, Not the Full Week?
The 10-Mile Swiss Winter Wonderland is a great option if you want a few days of serious sledding, good food, and zero stress. Sled during the day, eat fresh pasta and mountain cheese at night, and warm up by the fire with a glass of wine. Quick, easy, unforgettable.
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Let’s Get You On a Sled
Whether you’re up for the full traverse or just want to hit the highlights, these are the kind of winter trips that stick with you. We’ve got two solid options this season.
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Ready to Ride?
Details on both trips are below. Hit us up to book before they fill.
📞 Call us: 954-564-6722
📧 Email us: info@alpineadventures.net
Chamonix & Megève
Why We Keep Going Back to Chamonix and Megève
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French Alps Ski Trips That Actually Deliver
We’ve been selling ski trips for decades, and there are some places that just never fall off our list. Chamonix and Megève are two of them. We go back year after year—for the terrain, the vibe, and that unmistakable French alpine atmosphere that’s impossible to fake.
If you’re looking for a trip that hits all the marks—great skiing, beautiful surroundings, incredible food, and a touch of luxury—this is it.
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Chamonix: For the Skier Who Wants It All
Chamonix is iconic for a reason. Towering peaks, serious terrain, and access to one of the most famous off-piste runs in the world: the Vallée Blanche. It’s raw and beautiful. But there’s also a side to Chamonix that’s polished—excellent hotels, great restaurants, and a town that knows how to host winter travelers without trying too hard.
This is where you go when you want your trip to feel like more than just a ski vacation.
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Megève: Picture-Perfect, No Effort Required
Megève is what you imagine when someone says “charming ski village” and actually means it. The skiing is scenic and smooth, perfect for families or anyone who doesn’t need double blacks every day. But where Megève really shines is in the details—cozy chalets, horse-drawn sleighs, and streets made for strolling, not rushing.
It’s easy, elegant, and exactly what a winter escape should feel like.
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Why Book With Alpine Adventures?
We don’t do cookie-cutter. We build trips around you—your style, your group, your budget. We know these resorts inside and out, and we’ve got the right connections to make the whole thing seamless.
Need a ski-in/ski-out chalet with a private chef? Done. Want someone to set up rentals, transfers, lift passes, and ski school? We’ve got it covered. You just show up and ski.
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Let’s Make It Happen
If you want to experience the French Alps the right way, Chamonix and Megève are worth every bit of the hype. We’ll make sure everything runs smoothly—because that’s what we do.
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📞 Call us: 954-564-6722
📧 Email us: info@alpineadventures.net
Fierce competition meets a dream ski-season getaway in the Dolomites
Northern Italy’s Winter Olympics Are Less Than a Year Away – Here’s How to Go
Alpine Adventures Featured in Virtuoso Magazine!
Fierce competition meets a dream ski-season getaway in the Dolomites.
Check out the exciting snippets from the article below and follow the link to read the full piece!
It’s been nearly 70 years since the Winter Olympics torch blazed in Italy’s Dolomites, but in February 2026, the Games return to Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan. For travelers who long to pair some serious spectating with shopping on the Via Monte Napoleone or carving down Italy’s best slopes, it’s time to get planning.
Tickets to the Games – including the opening and closing ceremonies, individual events, and multisport packages – are already available through On Location, the Games’ official broker. Your travel advisor can work with the company and Virtuoso tour connections across Italy to craft experiences that include tickets, accommodations, skiing, and sightseeing.
“I don’t know if there’s ever been a Winter Olympics destination so well suited for both spectators and ski vacationers,” says Rick Reichsfeld, founder of ski tour operator Alpine Adventures. “It’s easy to get to the action and get off the beaten track.”
To read the full article, please CLICK HERE
Niseko, the Ultimate Powder Playground
Here’s Why Niseko Is the Ultimate Powder Playground
Alpine Adventures Featured in Virtuoso Magazine!
We’re thrilled to share that Alpine Adventures has been highlighted in Virtuoso magazine! As a trusted partner for exclusive travel experiences, we’ve helped bring the adventure of a lifetime to clients. This feature highlights some of the most unforgettable destinations, curated by Alpine Adventures’ experts.
Check out the exciting snippets from the article below and follow the link to read the full piece!
“Jet off to Japan for skiing and snowboarding unlike anywhere else”
Niseko, Japan, is the world’s reigning powder-skiing destination, offering bottomless turns and facefuls of fluffy flakes. It’s a life-list trip for anyone who craves unforgettable runs through some of the best snow in the world.
“Niseko Express” – The Meteorological Magic Behind Japan’s Legendary Snowfall
Frigid Siberian winds and the warm Sea of Japan combine to create an ideal ratio for the famed “Niseko Express,” which dumps an average of 600 inches of snow each year—double the accumulations of Rocky Mountain resorts.
“Niseko: A Destination Beyond the Slopes”
Experience not just incredible skiing, but also Japan’s rich culture and world-class cuisine. From hole-in-the-wall ramen joints to Michelin-worthy dining, Niseko offers something for every palate.
“Onsen: A Soothing Tradition After a Day on the Slopes”
Relax in mineral-rich, geothermal spring baths with a stunning view of Mount Yotei, a perfect way to unwind after a day of skiing and snowboarding in one of Japan’s most sought-after destinations.
“Intermediate and advanced skiers look to Hokkaido not just to ski Japan’s famous powder, but also to experience the country’s culture and cuisine,” says Richelle Blanken, a former U.S. Ski Team Olympian and cofounder of ski- and adventure-travel company Alpine Adventures. She notes that while Niseko has some of Japan’s best slopes and most dependable snowfall, it’s also home to luxe resorts, such as the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono and, in the next few years, Aman and Six Senses outposts. “Traditionally, it’s been a splurge, but with the strength of the dollar against the yen, it’s become much more attractive and in demand since the pandemic,” she says.
To read the full article, please CLICK HERE
More Skiing, Less Money: Why You Should Ski Or Snowboard In Europe – Alpine Adventures in Forbes
Larry Olmsted
Rick Reichsfeld
“If your travel agent is not a ski expert (few are), there’s a good chance they will call Rick on your behalf.”
Rick Reichsfeld is president and founder of Alpine Adventures, the leading luxury ski travel tour operator in the United States, and a member of the prestigious Virtuoso consortium of top travel advisors (agents). If your travel agent is not a ski expert (few are), there’s a good chance they will call Rick on your behalf. His company also works directly with consumers and books individuals and group ski and snowboard travel to U.S. resorts and the rest of the world, including Japan, with packages and custom itineraries, and he knows a lot about the intricacies of the ski industry and winter travel. A full-service travel agency, Alpine Adventures can even bundle air with its programs. I asked Reichsfeld about the European value proposition, and he had a lot to say.
Larry Olmsted
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“Why is it cheaper to ski in Europe over the U.S.? In the U.S., most ski resorts are privately owned by large corporations. Giant ski operators Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company own nearly 50% of the North American ski market. In Europe, however, the majority of ski resorts are state-owned. This decentralization leads to lower prices as there is greater competition. There are also around 8-times more ski resorts in Europe than in the U.S., which further increases competition and lowers prices.”
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“With such a high demand for a small number of resorts, many of which are owned by a handful of large companies, the cost of skiing in the U.S. is increasing at a seemingly unsustainable rate. When comparing U.S. and European ski trips, a stand-out factor is the difference in lift pass prices. Ski lift passes in the U.S. are much more expensive than in Europe, with most European ski resorts offering cheaper rates than even some of the most budget-friendly resorts in the U.S. A European ski resort generally costs less than $100 a day. Weekly passes offer even better values, with prices varying significantly across European resorts, typically ranging from $230-$550.”
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“While U.S. ski lessons are privatized and only available through the resort itself, Europe benefits from having independent instructors and ski schools. This competition brings down ski lesson costs significantly. Private ski lessons in Europe typically total $210+ for a half day of lessons, whereas, in the U.S., half-day private ski lessons can cost upwards of $600 for a of lessons. Group lessons are a cheaper option in both locations, but considerably so in Europe, typically costing around $250 for five days of lessons.”
Rick Reichsfeld
Continue reading on forbes.com
How to Maximize Your Ski Pass This Winter
Alpine Adventures helps skiers and snowboarders make the most of their Epic and Ikon passes
As the days get shorter and the temperatures grow colder, the debate resurfaces among alpine enthusiasts everywhere: Ikon Pass or Epic Pass? Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, Alpine Adventures helps you get the most from your passes in North America and Europe. From bluebird powder days in the Colorado Rockies to fireside fondue and après-ski in the Swiss Alps, the tour company provides planning expertise and on-the-ground connections so travelers can focus on what matters – hitting the slopes and enjoying off-mountain indulgences. …
Here are a few snippets from the article:
Ikon Pass
The Dolomites Done Right
Located on the Dolomites’ southern, sunny side, the Dolomiti Superski carousel provides access to 12 ski resorts with more than 450 chairlifts, making it the world’s largest ski destination. Alta Badia is an ideal home base for northern Italian adventures in the towering mountains. …
California Calling
… With an average annual snowfall of over 33 feet, Mammoth offers 3,500 acres of skiable terrain for all skill levels, making it one of the West’s best ski destinations. Even nonskiers will appreciate the 360-degree summit views at 11,000 feet…
Epic Pass
Classic Colorado
With its striking peaks and year-round sunshine, Colorado is one of the world’s top ski areas. Its high elevation ensures consistent snowfall and dry, powdery conditions, making it a novice’s paradise. …
Switzerland by Train
Start the trip at Verbier by taking a scenic two-hour train ride from Geneva. With a Swiss Travel Pass, skiers can experience the Alps’ scenery, and, on two dedicated après-ski trains, get a head start on the local snow-party culture with a DJ, warm drinks, and small bites. …
To read the full article, please CLICK HERE
2024 Bucket List Trips: Safari – Adventures Africa in Forbes
Larry Olmsted
Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Best Safaris, The Trip Of A Lifetime
“There’s no better gift than the gift of travel, and while the term “Bucket List” is overused in the travel media, there is no trip that is more “Bucket List” or “Once In a Lifetime” than a safari.”
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There’s no way around it—safaris are expensive trips. But you don’t have to spend thirty thousand dollars a head to appreciate the stunning variety African wildlife and safari camp experiences. There are some reputable tour operators that prioritize value over opulence, and there are some countries, such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda, that have the same great wildlife but much lower overheads and more affordable lodges and camps. Adventures Africa is one operator that combines these, and offers full-blown, more affordable safari itineraries in all regions of Africa. The Florida-based company has been at it for more than a decade and is a division of Alpine Adventures, generally considered the top ski travel specialist in the United States.
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Continue reading on forbes.com
MasterCard Luxury
The Case for the Ski Chalet All-inclusive skiing with a private twist.
There’s an alternative to the Great American Ski Vacation. Making a winter sojourn begs repeating, for good sport and good company alike. But if you’ve gone the way of the North American ski-in/ski-out luxury resort, you know how the hidden extras add up fast, as one complaint of US ski travelers is the constant nickel-and-diming. An appeal of all-inclusive trips is knowing the cost going in, but while there are ultra-luxe, all-inclusive options in other kinds of travel, that model doesn’t exist in skiing—except at staffed chalets.
It was the British who invented the ski vacation, crossing the channel to hit the slopes in the Alps. Their preference endures for sharing lavish homes with family and friends, employing chefs, massage therapists, and ski instructors through the week. More opulent models include full-size indoor pools, gyms that rival those at much larger hotels, home theaters, pool tables, hot tubs, saunas, wine cellars, heated boot rooms, and even golf simulators. But best of all, from hot tubs to the yoga studio, you have it all to yourself.
“You have more rooms than your family would in a hotel, it’s more personalized, and the staff works just for you,” said Rick Reichsfeld, president of Alpine Adventures (alpineadventures.net), America’s leading luxury ski travel specialist, which often arranges European chalet trips. “It starts right away: They pick you up at the airport, take you around town, you never have to deal with driving. But the best thing is that everyone who goes skiing is on the same schedule, and no matter how nice a hotel is, they can’t give everyone spa appointments at 3 or 4 p.m., but that’s when everyone wants them. Here you go back to your house and take turns getting massages while sitting in your hot tub drinking Champagne.” …
To read the full article in the new issue of MasterCard Luxury, please CLICK HERE
Article by Larry Olmsted
2024 Bucket List Trips For Every Kind Of Adventure And Active Travel – Alpine Adventures in Forbes
Larry Olmsted
“If you have a particular outdoor or travel passion, be it hiking, biking, golf, or skiing, there’s a Bucket List trip for you to experience this year. These are all topics I have specialized in for three decades, and I continuously try new outfitters and new destinations to find the best trips on earth, so I figured I’d kick off the New Year by sharing some of that expertise.”
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For Niseko and the one stop luxury shopping approach, try Alpine Adventures, America’s foremost ski travel specialist, and a full-service travel agency, so they are great at finding good air fares and such. Alpine Adventures has really embraced Hokkaido and has emerged over the past few years as this country’s leading Japan ski expert. They are also a member of the elite Virtuoso network, which gets customers additional benefits.
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Continue reading on forbes.com
Big Sky, Montana
Article by Justin Paul
Slide right up New lifts, no crowds, and endless terrain –
Big Sky dials in the skier’s ski vacation.
ON A BLUEBIRD DAY, from the top of Lone Peak you can see clear to Yellowstone and the Tetons to the south, Idaho to the west, and across who knows how many hundreds of square miles of Montana wilderness and ranchlands in other directions. But it’s not the horizon that draws my gaze: I can’t stop looking down; nearly 2,000 vertical feet of pillowy, wind-loaded snow spread out below me – and that’s before you hit the tree line. Wide-open Liberty Bowl beckons to the right, as do the more steeply pitched Lenin and Marx runs to the left, in a sort of geopolitical battle for some of the country’s preeminent high-alpine resort skiing.
“This look good to you?” my mountain guide asks on our second lap up to the top, nodding toward Lenin. With that, we’re off – and I mean off. A few hundred yards down the 11,000-foot peak, he smiles as I pull up beside him to catch my breath, grappling with the altitude. “We don’t turn as much up here as you do on Pacific Northwest slopes,” he says with a shrug. “Tires you out.”
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GO Snow-sports specialist Alpine Adventures arranges custom ski vacations for groups of any size – from couples to entire ski clubs – at resorts in more than 22 countries. Sample Big Sky trips include six nights for two adults at Montage Big Sky or a condo for a family of four on the edge of Mountain Village – both are ski-in/ski-out and include five days of lift tickets, ski or snowboard rentals, and a rental car from Bozeman. From $18,989 and $11,979, respectively.
To read the full article, please CLICK HERE
Learn more about our special offer: PAY FOR 5 NIGHTS, STAY FOR 7 AT MONTAGE, BIG SKY
Perfect trip to Innsbruck, Austria.
By Lindsay Cohn
This City in the Austrian Alps Is an All-seasons Destination With World-class Skiing, Beautiful Hikes, and a Charming Old Town
Here’s how to plan the perfect trip to Innsbruck, Austria.
Hotel Innsbruck
Situated on the river, Hotel Innsbruck offers a convenient address near the Old Town landmarks as well as comfortable rooms and winter gear storage. Angelika Mair, a local Innsbrook guide with Alpine Adventures, favors the spa, which features an indoor pool, Finnish sauna, aromatherapy steam bath, and floating tub.
Continue reading on TRAVEL + LEISURE. CLICK HERE
5 Best Reasons To Ski In Europe Next Season – Alpine Adventures in Forbes
Allison Olmsted
5 Best Reasons To Ski In Europe Next Season
The vast majority of Americans go to places like Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Canada and Wyoming for their annual ski vacations. But there are good reasons to consider Europe, especially with the increasing popularity of the global ski passes, most notably the IKON and Epic passes. These have spurred pass owners to be more adventurous, visiting places where they can ski for free, and both cover multiple marquee European resorts.
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The many excellent reasons why you should consider a European ski trip are detailed below. But there are also some challenges: the language, the massive scope of the trail networks, the different culture and attitudes, and the fact that there are virtually no integrated resorts as there are here. In Vail for instance, Vail Resorts owns the ski resort, all its bars and restaurants, the ski school, multiple hotels, and rental shops. In Europe all these elements are separate, and there are usually multiple independent ski schools and guide services at every destination, some better than others.
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I highly recommend using an expert to help plan your trip. The company I’ve used and loved, generally considered the premier specialist in the industry and a member of the prestigious Virtuoso consortium of travel agents and tour operators, is Alpine Adventures. Alpine also covers the U.S. and Canada, but their skills are even more vital when skiing in Europe (or Japan!). They cover every price point from budget packages to 5-star luxury, can arrange multi-resort ski safaris, can add on things like heli-skiing, and as a full-service travel agency can even do your air and ground transfers.
Continue reading on forbes.com