American XC Skiers Trip To MWC2012
Oberwiesenthal, Germany -- February 28 - March 10, 2012
MWC2012 Oberwiesenthal, Germany
Pronounced: Ober - wee - zen - thall
Definition: An incredible ski vacation with other USA skiers enjoying a premier German venue, a beautiful village with loads to do, a chance-of-a-lifetime visit to the city of Prague -- all at the most affordable total AXCS Masters World Cup trip cost in the past 7 years!
Suggested USA Trip Dates: February 28 - March 10, 2012
Competition Dates: March 3-9, 2012
Best Air Access: Prague, Czech Republic (130km/80miles/1:40 hrs away)
All about the AXCS MWC2012 Trip Package.
Official event website (but please note that AXCS & these pages of xcskiworld.com are your only resources for official USA entry materials as well as the Team USA travel package).
For those not familiar with AXCS trips to European-hosted Masters World Cup events, AXCS literally takes care of every major detail of the trip just like a professional tour company -- but at a fraction of the cost. Our long-term travel agent Diana Lynn Rau (The Travel Society) searches out great group airfares; AXCS picks a wonderful hotel & half-board meal package with a great blend of price, comfort, food quality, location, amenities, etc. (which we already have booked for the MWC2012 right in the heart of the village); AXCS arranges group ground transfers on the main arrival/departure days and helps with folks that come & go early/late; AXCS walks you thru the entry process; and then when we are in Europe the AXCS National Director J.D. Downing is on hand from start-to-finish to make the trip as fun and successful as possible.
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Why you want to go on this MWC2012 fairy tale trip!
Following up a MWC in North America is always a tough act for USA skiers, but the picturesque German fairy tale village of Oberwiesenthal, is going to be well up to the task in 2012.
Far starters, the AXCS trip to the MWC2012 will be using the incredible attraction of Prague as the gateway airport. Known internationally as "the Paris of the East", Prague is a bucket list destination that many XC skiers would never experience since we are so often only targeting the Alps and Northern Europe. Featuring a very modern and large international airport, loads of daily air connections are available into Prague from all major European hubs as well as direct flights from a couple major USA gateway cities. Long-time AXCS travel agent partner Diana Lynn Rau (The Travel Society) is already working on group airfare packages. Typically Diana is able to match or beat on-line pricing so folks that are seriously interested in the MWC2012 trip should use the contact info provided to have Diana track best air pricing for your situation over the coming year.
AXCS will be setting up group ground transport shuttles to take skiers to/from Prague at the start and finish of the MWC2012. Our best recommendation will be to tack on 1-2 days of sight-seeing in Prague at the end of the MWC trip. But if you are tight on travel days, it's also close enough to be able to visit the city in the middle of the MWC schedule as well.
As for the MWC destination itself, this is going to be a gem of a ski vacation.
Located on the "roof of Saxony" and straddling the Czech border, Oberwiesenthal is known as one of the most beautiful and popular winter sport areas in the German low mountain range. The high point of the local alpine hill -- the Fichtelberg -- is just 1215 meters (3900 feet) with the XC trails several hundred feet lower and the village itself even lower. So this is a true low/moderate elevation location. High enough for reliable snow and great skiing -- low enough for comfortable full throttle racing and good recovery.
The ski venue is a state-of-the-art Olympic Training Center and has produced a who's-who of German Nordic stars over the years. With the help of the World Masters Association the past year, multiple new connector trails have been developed as well as a special start stadium designed on the venue parking lot. The result is almost unprecedented level of custom-fitting for the needs of the MWC with wide, masters-specific race courses that will appeal to all ages and abilities. An astonishing 120 snow guns are on hand to provide 100% snowmaking back-up to very reliable natural snow conditions in early March.
For added skiing, plenty of local trails will be open both at the main ski center as well as a wonderful connecting trail that wraps around the Fichtelberg into the village. It's even possible to take a short bus ride over the border and cruise around a nearby Czech trail system! All the local trails offer up incredible views to the west of the rolling countryside of Saxony along with traditional forested trails. A fantastic mix!
Beyond the skiing, Prague is just an appetizer of the attractions on this trip. Alpine skiing, bob slides, ice skating, and other outdoor adventures are supplemented by a vibrant village full of shops, restaurants, pubs, spas, museums, and craft centers. Nearby are dozens of additional historic attractions for easy day-trips.
AXCS has already booked a large block of rooms in the Rathaus Hotel right in the heart of the Oberwiesenthal village. Featuring modern and comfortable rooms, exceptional food, Wi-Fi access, waxing facilities, and the entire village at the doorstep -- the Rathaus is also quite affordable making it the perfect choice for Team USA skiers. The MWC shuttle system will pick up at our doorstep with a 5 minute trip up to the race venue. A 10 minute walk could get skiers to the village trailhead for other non-race day ski options.
A final selling point for MWC2012 -- this trip projects quite reasonable on price. Taking all costs (air a bit higher, lodging a lot less, ground about the same) into consideration, the total cost per person for the MWC2012 trip right now projects to be as affordable as any Worlds since 2005! If you are interested in a value European ski experience, 2012 is likely to be the best pricing we'll see at any point in the next six years.
As the locals say -- Oberwiesenthal stands for fun, action, and sports. The trip to the MWC2012 is your ticket to all of this!
All about the AXCS MWC2012 Trip Package.
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