2009 American XC Skiers Trip To MWC2009
Autrans, France -- January 27 - February 7, 2009
Official MWC2009 Event Site
Warning: Use the official event site for basic information only. USA skiers must NOT use any registration forms appearing on the MWC2009 event website. The only entry forms that will be accepted by American XC Skiers to process your USA skier entry are released exclusively by AXCS. Forms will be available as of October 1, 2008 and not before.
Last Updated: Monday, June 23.
At this point the AXCS trip is in an extended "yes, but exactly where is the question" mode when it comes to adding more USA skiers to our travel package. We are already past the point where we had to release remaining reserved space in one of our two hotels (the first one completely filled with USA crew). If we ask quickly in the coming weeks (until perhaps late July), it may be possible to get a few more of those rooms back in the second hotel. If not, those interested can go on a "stand-by" list for any space that might free up with a late cancellation out of our current trip roster. The back-up plan would be to find alternative hotel space for you in Autrans or down the road in another nearby village. The bottom line is that we would make it happen if you really want to go.
Without question, the sooner any remaining skiers get in touch with the AXCS office, the better our chances are for finding quality lodging/half-board as close as possible to the main USA group. This sense of urgency also extends to arranging flights at the best price levels. To sign up for space on this trip, the best method is to email American XC Skiers: axcs (at) xcskiworld.com. You can also call and leave a message at (541) 317-0217.
To get on early airfare watch lists with Diana Lynn-Rau (The Travel Society) please call 866.759.6867 or email: Dianalrau (at) cs.com. Be sure to contact the AXCS office first for your lodging arrangements so Diana knows you are on the AXCS list. .
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In 2009, experience the first Masters World Cup ever held in the French Alps. Autrans, a pristine village in the heart of the Vercors region (1,050m/3,445ft) was the Nordic venue for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics and now hosts the world’s largest traveling winter championship. Trip dates for the official Team USA contingent are January 27 - February 7, 2009.
Featuring over 160km of XC trails, a stadium in the center of the village, ski-in/ski-out lodging, beautiful rolling terrain, ridgeline trails with views of Mont Blanc, and the reliability of having a “back-up” venue with 15km of snowmaking -- this is a skier’s paradise second to none.
Add in alpine skiing (right out of Autrans), world-class jump hills, loads of family activities, shopping both in Autrans and nearby Grenoble (6x daily local bus roundtrips), and some of the best food and wine in the world (not to mention extensions to Paris, the Mediterranean, & other locations) -- and you are talking about a winter European vacation of a lifetime!
For new MWC skiers that have not joined in on the fun of a European Worlds, the bottomline is that AXCS has you covered start to finish.
How Will We Get To Autrans?
The AXCS official travel agent Diana Lynn-Rau (The Travel Society) is holding a limited amount of seats on the nonstop JFK-Lyon that can be held for a $100 check deposit and not ticketed until early December. Deposits are refundable until October. This locks in a $355 base price. Taxes and Fuel surcharge are subject to change but are currently about $335. Add-on airfare departing from other US cites serviced by Delta is available and she will also gladly give competitive quotes from other airlines. But other airline tickets may need to be purchased immediately and will usually be nonrefundable with higher change fees. With Delta group space, everyone must depart together but you can change your return for up to 30 days and return from any other city in Europe served by Delta as long as the same class of service is available. This can be done with no charge anytime prior to ticketing. We can set up individual extension packages with air, rail or car for any city in Europe.
Traditionally, fuel surcharges come down quite a bit after the busy summer months so Dec 1 ticketing works well. And we offer insurance packages that cover preexisting conditions and family health issues and (new this year!) work related issues. Or you can forget cancellation insurance and just purchase right up until flight time the least expensive insurance for while you are traveling
AXCS has determined that the easiest air connection will be Lyon, 130km/81miles away via mostly freeway. For those booked on group flights, AXCS will arrange at-cost charter bus transport from the airport direct to your hotel.
Lyon has multiple daily flights from throughout Europe and represents the best combination of convenience, price, and location. Better than Geneva, Paris, or Grenoble (but those options also work). It is also very easy to fly in to Lyon and out of Paris -- high speed trains connect via Lyon/Grenoble.
Our official travel consultant Diana Lynn-Rau (The Travel Society) is in her second decade working with USA Masters on these trips and Diana is already locking down exclusive discount airfares for the MWC2009. Diana also can easily handle rental cars, rail tickets, or trip extensions throughout Europe.
The AXCS Office then takes care of your room & halfboard booking plus group ground transportation shuttles. AXCS also handles all race registration every step of the way. Once in France, USA National Director J.D. Downing is there the entire time in a part-coach/part-tour guide capacity.
Ground Transport pricing has not been set yet by the local organizer. AXCS guess is $80-150 per person on round trip transfers from Lyon. You'll get more information on this later in the year.
Skiers from past trips will tell you that these AXCS-hosted trips to the MWC in Europe are the easiest, best organized, and most cost-effective way to experience European XC racing.
Got Good Hotels? Oui! -- The Best!
AXCS has booked both Hotel la Poste and Hotel la Buffe which are the two best hotels in Autrans -- both featuring nice rooms, incredible food and a short walk to the village stadium.
Note: Lodging of any type will be incredibly tight in Autrans for this Worlds and if we overflow our two booked hotels or lose reserved space, USA skiers coming late to the game will find themselves stuck many km’s down the road. Take home message? ACT NOW!!!
How Do I Sign Up? Just Two Steps!
Step #1.) To get on the trip reservation list, AXCS members should call (541) 317-0217 or email AXCS (axcs at xcskiworld.com).
Step #2.) Once AXCS can determine what lodging/half-board space is available for you, you will need to send AXCS a trip deposit of $600.00US/per person. The majority of this deposit is technically non-refundable (hotel policies). However, AXCS can get all but the non-negotiable $50/per person AXCS processing fee back if we fill your spot with someone new before the end of November. Bottomline: Since this is a tight deposit policy, you do want to be very sure about your intention to go on the Autrans trip before submitting your deposit.
Send deposit payable to "AXCS" or "American XC Skiers" to: AXCS PO Box 604 Bend, OR 97709.
Final balance on all room reservations will be due by December 5, 2008. With volatile exchange rates, you may be very well served by paying your final balance earlier if the dollar gains against the euro especially prior to or just after the U.S. election. The AXCS guesstimate on total trip package cost per person is between $1300-1600 (lodging, half-board, ground transport, AXCS "fair share" fees). Airfare and entry fee would be extra.
MWC 2009 Travel Package
• 10 nights lodging and half-board (breakfast/dinner) meals at Hotel la Poste or la Buffe.
• Ground transportation to/from Lyon airport. (additional charge at cost)
• On site AXCS staff support to help with travel and race logistics.
• Convenient access to nightly USA contingent meetings (all meetings only at USA hotels).
• Special and exclusive gifts and surprises.
• A great group of USA skiers to spend your ski vacation with.
• Official travel agent support for group airfare (airfare not included in package price) out of a variety of U.S. gateways.
Trip Pricing
Note -- Due to extreme volatility in exchange rates the past year, AXCS is quoting at this time only the price for room packages in Euro. We are estimating ground and air transport prices (but our guesses are quite educated)....
MWC2009 AXCS Lodging Package
10 nights Hotel Room + Half Board (breakfasts/dinners)
• 955-990 Euro per person (double occupancy)
• 815-860 Euro per person (triple occupancy)
Note: We have two hotels with a range of rooms, hence the range in prices. Best guess on dollar equivalent on these prices.....$1300-1650US pp. AXCS does reserve the right to add additional charges faced by the association on lodging packages, but this only when absolutely necessary. Ground transport we estimate at no worse than $100 per person (roundtrip from/to Lyon).
Only members of AXCS and their companions may join the official AXCS travel group. Any skier deciding to stay separate of the AXCS travel package will be responsible for attending all USA team meetings. USA skiers staying outside the travel group will also have a “fair share” surcharge added to race entries to help defray AXCS expenses with the World Masters Association.
Race Entry Cost & Procedures
150 euro for those in the AXCS travel package. A “fair share” surcharge will be added for those staying on their own.
All skiers taking advantage of the official AXCS travel package will automatically get information and hardcopy entry forms by early October. USA skiers must follow a very precise entry and payment process. Do NOT use the event website!
Skiers staying on your own for the MWC2007 must contact the AXCS office no later than October 1 to get the special USA entry forms. AXCS accepts no responsibility for skiers denied race entry due to failure to follow specific WMA/AXCS directions.
Note: Race registration will not be processed without current 08/09 AXCS membership ($35 one year/$90 three years) or proof of 08/09 USSA membership. No exceptions.
