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www.trailblazersindia.com
The trailblazers difference
Trailblazers mission: To provide experiences that will bring about Learning for Life
We travel, but are not tour operators. We share and teach children, but are not a school. We train corporate managers, teachers and professors, but are not a college. We work with companies and NGOs, but are not a consultancy firm. Asked to define ourselves, we simply conclude that we are The Outdoor School. Trailblazers started out on a journey of discovery, learning and sharing in the summer of 1993. It was registered as a private limited company in 1994, making it the first privately run enterprise offering proactive environmental education in India. Today, Trailblazers’ reach is global and it has branches in Kolkata and Chennai. Trailblazers is a member of the International Ecotourism Society.
Trailblazers is an organisation committed to increasing environmental consciousness through its outbound education programmes, eco-camps, learning and adventure programmes and eco-tourism. Trailblazers aims to share with young people the necessary knowledge and experience to enable them to become environmentally conscious and sensitive.
Clients Trailblazers caters to schools, families and companies. Trailblazers’ clients include many prestigious academic institutions in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata. Many multinational companies work with Trailblazers’ consultancy division for their corporate social responsibility and outbound training programmes.
Team
Customer service
What makes Trailblazers different is the people behind the programmes. The Trailblazers team is committed, enthusiastic and full of innovation. Trailblazers’ instructors and chaperones are all qualified graduates and post-graduates with an enviable experience in adventure activities, great communicators and certified in delivering first aid. Most of all, every single member of the Trailblazers team shares the same goal: to share their passion with the inheritors of the country and the world - our children.
Trailblazers has an uncompromising commitment to customer service. Trailblazers understands that parents are often nervous sending their children to camp, particularly an overseas ski camp. The Trailblazers team offers parents a uniquely professional, meticulous and caring support from the first contact to long after the children return from their camp. No question is left unanswered, no request is forgotten and Trailblazers prides itself on developing long-term relationships with its clients.
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The trailblazers and viamonde partNership
We like standing on snow-covered mountains. We enjoy listening to the distinctive crunch of freshly-fallen snow and the flow of clear mountain streams. We admire scenic mountain views in every direction. Most importantly, we love negotiating well-groomed slopes, hiking marked mountain paths, climbing rocks and descending muddy trails on two wheels.
It is rare to find a company which is flexible, conscientious and experienced enough to develop truly educational field experiences for students. Trailblazers, however, is just such an organisation.
I’m really glad I sent the children with Trailblazers to their ski camp in Switzerland. I would like to put on record my appreciation for the care taken of Arsh. Thank you so much Trailblazers and Kiran.
- Jim Dehner Secondary school principal American School of Bombay
- Suketu & Heena Majithia
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The VIAMONDE difference
Viamonde is a registered Swiss company and since 2002 has worked closely with the international community of schools and families and developed unique, high-quality, ski, snowboard, multi-activity and summer camp programmes in Switzerland. Amongst other membership, Viamonde is a proud member of ECIS, the European Council of International Schools, the leading collaborative global network promoting and supporting the ideals and best practices of international education.
Company vision Viamonde is committed to provide the highest possible quality programmes and share these fantastic experiences in Switzerland with young people from throughout the world, at all levels of their ability. Viamonde is passionate about imparting its knowledge and sense of wonder onto the next generation.
Clients Viamonde’s clients can be found on every continent. Viamonde works exclusively with international schools and families and its clients include some of the longestestablished and most prestigious international schools in the world.
Team Together with other factors, what sets a Viamonde programmes apart is the quality of its staff and Viamonde takes staff recruitment, training and supervision very seriously. Viamonde’s dynamic, experienced, mature and caring staff are totally committed to offering a personal, flexible and above all quality service. Viamonde has a wide range of local contacts and knowledge to make every programme a success and its management team are closely involved with the programmes themselves to ensure a consistently high standard is maintained at all times.
Safety & supervision round-the-clock supervision Safety and supervision is at the core of everything that Viamonde offers. Viamonde is very conscious of the responsibility of caring for children and are 100% focussed on the safety and well-being of the participants in its programmes. An excellent ratio between fully-trained counsellors and children guarantees effective supervision at all times and a caring and attentive environment. Complemented by managers, healthcare and hotel staff, Viamonde is able to offer 24-hour supervision. Skiing and snowboarding as well as all other activities and sports are carefully organised and safety measures are followed strictly. All Viamonde’s counsellors carry mobile telephones as well as a first aid kit and have been trained in basic first aid and CPR. In the rare event of accident or illness, general medical practitioners are available locally, a regional hospital with a paediatric department a short distance away and a university hospital available in Lausanne, a short helicopter flight away. What makes Viamonde unique is that at every ski programme, amongst its own team of staff is a qualified nurse. Viamonde’s nurses have general camp healthcare responsibilities, take care of the organisation and distribution of medicines, liaise with doctors and hospitals, if required and keep comprehensive health records.
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Robert and his team, have always dealt with our problems, requests and requirements with the upmost professionalism, very efficiently and in a most courteous and friendly way. Indeed, nothing has ever appeared to be too much trouble for Viamonde. Accommodation and food, counsellors and the quality of teaching and supervision have always been of a high standard. - Mark Silcock St. John’s International School, Belgium
Thanks again, Robert, for a great week. Joey and all the staff made our stay fantastic. Every detail was spelled out, we were treated like old friends and the kids had a ball. Two thumbs up, five stars….whatever the highest superlative is, that’s how I rate them! - Tom Mott American School of Paris, France
DESTINATION: SAAS-GRUND & SAAS-FEE
SAAS-GRUND & SAAS-FEE “The pearl of the alps”
Frankfurt (550 km)
Munich (556 km)
GERMANY Basel (210 km) St. Gallen Zürich (246 km)
AUSTRIA
FRANCE Bern (120 km)
Gotthard
Lausanne
Geneva (234 km)
Luzern
Kandersteg Goppenstein Sion Martigny
Brig Visp
Zermatt
Iselle Lugano (211 km)
ITALY S A A S T A L
Milan (202 km)
Traditional Swiss mountain villages with impressive facilities Nestled close to the Dom and Allalinhorn glaciers as well as the Weissmies, Nadelhorn and Lenzspitze mountains, Saas-Grund and Saas-Fee together form one of the most popular yearround mountain destinations in Switzerland. Saas-Grund, where our accommodation is located, is a small village with very good amenities, including an impressive outdoor ice-rink. Saas-Fee is a cosmopolitan resort without cars, where only small electric vehicles and horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are allowed and offers many famous-name shops along its snow-covered streets. 5
DESTINATION: SAAS-GRUND & SAAS-FEE
Extensive, high-altitude, ski region
Together, Saas-Grund and Saas-Fee offer some of the highest-altitude skiing available anywhere in Europe. Superb snow conditions are guaranteed throughout the winter and Saas-Fee also has one of the longest ski seasons in Europe, offering skiing on its glacier throughout the year. It is no surprise that the area is used extensively by international ski teams to train for their World Cup events.
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The extensive, well-marked and safe runs provide20a paradise for skiers E and snowboarders of all abilities, challenging those more confident, F but providing an ideal, progressive,X environment for those new to these Sonnenberg winter sports.
C Some of the most sophisticated mountain infrastructure in the Alps is on offer in Saas-Grund and Saas-Fee, including the highest underground A funicular in the world, the Metro Alpin and the highest revolving H 6 1 A restaurant in the world, the Mittelallalin.
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We’d like to say a big “thank you” for a wonderful ski trip! We found every aspect of the trip to be well organised, suited to our needs and loads of fun. I would highly recommend Viamonde’s programme to any group seeking a high quality and safe ski trip! - Beverly Sortland 1 A Southbank American International School, London 2
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ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL RODANIA
HOTEL RODANIA CHARM, COMFORT & A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE
The purpose-designed Hotel Rodania is built to traditionally high Swiss standards and is situated in safe, peaceful surroundings, close to the traditional original village of Saas-Grund, with its wooden and stone chalets. The Hotel Rodania is ideally located for our ski camps, close to both the village-level beginner ski area of Saas-Grund as well as the Saas-Grund gondola, taking skiers to the centre of Saas-Grund’s high-altitude skiing. Saas-Fee is only 10 minutes away by bus. Girls and boys accommodation is separated and bedrooms are warm, comfortable and with ensuite facilities.
A welcoming reception area leads to two spacious, sunny, dining rooms and the sun terrace with magnificent views to the surrounding mountains. A games room, cinema room and infirmary compliment the impressive facilities at this very popular group hotel.
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It was evident from the high degree of motivation, sense of achievement and genuine happiness amongst all the students that the ski camp was a truly successful learning experience for all. Please extend my thanks to the ski counsellors who worked so hard to make our trip so great! - Linda Holland Marymount International School, London
the camp itinerary
The Camp Itinerary Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Wake up
07:30
07:30
07:30
07:30
breakfast
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Morning 09:00 - 12:00
Arrive GVA
Lunch 12:00 - 13:00
On arrival at the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
afternoon 13:00 - 16:00
Meet the counsellors
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Transfer to Saas-Grund
Settle into bedrooms Ski equipment & clothing fitting
supervised Free time
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
Dinner
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
Evening
Torchlight walk through old Saas-Grund
Snow sculptures
“Stock Exchange”
Sledding
Ice skating
Bedtime & lights out
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
Participants must choose whether to ski or snowboard for the full period of camp. It is not possible to switch between these different disciplines during the camp.
Our daughter has gained confidence and the experience has added to her personality. Seeing her so happy and filled with such lovely memories, which I’m sure she shall treasure for eternity, fills us as her parents with such pride.
The availability of snowboarding is only guaranteed with a minimum of 7 participants of a similar ability.
- Smita & Alkesh S. Shah The above itinerary is subject to change, according to availability and weather conditions.
The kind of service that Trailblazers is providing today is much needed in these truly globalised times. Not only are the children exposed under happy, secure and independent circumstances to the outside world, but skiing is a skill which will be of benefit to them in years to come. - Kamlesh Sajnani
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the camp itinerary
Day 06
Day 07
07:30
07:30
08:00 - 08:30 Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Day 08
Day 09
Day 10
07:30
07:30
07:30
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
08:00 - 08:30
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Visit Nestlé chocolate factory at Broc
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Day 11
Transfer to GVA
Slalom race At the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
At the Hotel Rodania
Picnic
Barbeque in the snow
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Fully-supervised skiing or snowboarding
Visit cheese factory & museum at Gruyeres
Visit to Allalin Ice Pavilion at 3’500m
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30
18:30 - 19:30 Traditional Swiss fondue
18:30 - 19:30
“Cluedo”
Snow tubing
Talent show
Movie night
Prize giving, certificate presentation & disco
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
21:30 - 22:00
22:00 - 22:30
Souvenir shopping in the car-free village of Saas-Fee
Fantastic is an understatement. You have to live it to believe it! - Siddhant Kothari, 13 years 9
Prices and options
What’s included in the price?
Supervision throughout the camp by experienced Trailblazers chaperones
24-hour supervision from experienced English-speaking Viamonde counsellors
Trailblazers chaperones accompany participants on their journey to and from Switzerland and are fully-integrated into the camp, providing supervision of the children and support to the parents. Committed to the safety of the children at all times, the Trailblazers chaperones work closely with the Viamonde team, and provide an important liaison between the camp and the parents during the children’s stay in Switzerland.
Viamonde carefully recruits its counsellors from all over the world to create a truly international environment. All Viamonde’s counsellors are at least 21 years of age and are fluent in English. For most, English is their mother tongue. Viamonde benefits from extremely high staff retention and many counsellors have worked for Viamonde for more than 5 years and some have been with Viamonde since its inception in 2002. The result is that the team of counsellors is mature and experienced and motivated to work with young people.
Return flights to Switzerland
Innovative ski and snowboard instruction
To ensure the most comfortable travel possible, Trailblazers organise group check-ins wherever possible and liaise with the airline to ensure that all participants are seated together and can be supervised.
Viamonde’s counsellors, all experienced instructors, create a fun learning environment, balancing games and instruction in a safe, fully-supervised, environment. Utilising modern approaches to sports education, they instil confidence, working closely with those progressing more slowly, while challenging those whose skills are developing more rapidly. At Viamonde, children never ski or snowboard without their counsellor and the daily programme includes important warm-up exercises as well as regular breaks for rest and a hot drink. Viamonde’s unique approach to its programmes follows their philosophy of providing challenges, promoting personal development and building a foundation of trust and cooperation that can be taken home from camp.
All transport within Switzerland Viamonde works only with well-established and respected transport providers in Switzerland, who offer modern fleets of vehicles, meeting the very high safety standards in this country. Buses are fully-equipped for winter driving with special winter tyres and snow chains and the wearing of seat belts is compulsory for all passengers.
Accommodation and all meals Menus have been carefully planned by Trailblazers to meet the specific requirements of the camp participants and offer large buffet breakfasts, varied lunches, afternoon snacks and 4-course dinners prepared with fresh ingredients. Viamonde’s chefs can always accommodate special dietary requirements and portions are generous to reflect the day’s physical activities. When the weather permits, a popular barbeque in the snow is organised at the end of the camp.
Quality ski and snowboard equipment rental Modern equipment is well maintained and great care is taken in choosing the correct sizes of boots and skis/snowboards. Helmets meeting strict safety standards are provided and are worn by all participants at all times whilst skiing or snowboarding or participating in a sledding activity. 10
camp prices and options
Optional Extras
Quality ski clothing rental Viamonde understands the importance of staying warm and dry whilst participating in skiing and snowboarding. Knowledgeable of the specific requirements of children, Viamonde provides quality jackets and pants for all participants, which have been specially developed and manufactured for its international clientele.
Comprehensive travel insurance It is a requirement for participation in the camp, as well as a condition for issuing a Schengen visa, that every child is covered by suitable travel insurance. Trailblazers is pleased to be able to offer a comprehensive travel insurance policy from Swiss insurer SWISSCARE, developed especially for Viamonde and including unlimited medical treatment in Switzerland, repatriation to the home country and limited follow-up medical treatment in the home country. Full policy details are available on request.
Lift pass for the local ski domain A contactless lift pass is provided for all participants, which can be safely kept in a pocket whilst passing through lift controls.
Entrance fees during excursions During excursions, entrance fees and, if necessary, any equipment is included.
Schengen visa service
Continual assessment, video ski clinic, slalom race and certificate
To help busy families prepare for their child’s participation in camp, Trailblazers is pleased to offer a Schengen visa service. Trailblazers will coordinate with parents to provide the Swiss consulate with a completed application and all supporting documentation and all costs levied by the consulate are included in the visa service fee.
Whilst its programmes are designed to be fun and exciting, Viamonde understands the importance that they are also challenging, with attainment goals for all levels of ability. It is for this reason that Viamonde’s counsellors continually assess the participants and adapt their instruction accordingly. For participants with a high level of ski or snowboard ability, Viamonde’s counsellors will include a video ski clinic, where participants’ technique is videoed for analysis and improvement. At the end of every camp, a non-competitive slalom course is organised for all participants to demonstrate the progress they have made and Viamonde’s counsellors will award a certificate to every participant indicating the skill level they have attained.
Online camp photo gallery and e-mail service To allow parents to follow the camp activities, an online photo gallery is maintained throughout the camp with photos and news posted every day. Viamonde’s online parent portal also includes the ability for parents to send e-mails to their child at camp, which will be distributed once per day. In addition, Trailblazers chaperones regularly send a personalised e-mail to parents to keep them updated with their child’s progress at camp. Pocket money for incidental expenses and souvenirs is not included in the camp fees.
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Fully-inclusive camp fees, including return flights to Geneva: Rs. 1,99,000/Optional Comprehensive travel insurance; Optional Schengen visa service; For prices, please refer to registration form
Our boys have been attending ski camps in Switzerland for over three years with the Trailblazers family. I deeply thank the Trailblazers team for giving my children the opportunity to experience this wonder. - Jayashri Suresh
Places on our ski camp are limited, so please contact us to make a no-commitment pre-reservation. www.trailblazersindia.com
View videos of Viamonde’s programmes at www.youtube.com/viamondetv
www.viamonde.com
Ms. Kiran Islania General Manager Trailblazers Adventure Travel Pvt. Ltd. Ground Floor A & B, Off Pokhran Road No. II Thane (West) 400 610 Tel: +91 22 2589 1512 | +91 98 2042 7179 E-mail:
[email protected] www.trailblazersindia.com
