Alpine Sports Base - Airolo
Courses
New mountain sports base in the Swiss Alps, in Airolo! Opened on March 2024
Airolo
In the Leventina, north of Ticino, at the foot of the St Gotthard Pass and at the entrance to the Bedretto Valley lies Airolo, a municipality of about 2,000 inhabitants consisting of several hamlets such as Brugnasco, Fontana, Madrano, Nante and Valle.
Airolo is a typical mountain village; the majestic mountains, the fantastic lakes and the crisp air make this village at 1,200 metres above sea level a perfect halfway point for sporting and relaxing holidays.
Whatever the season, Airolo is the place for all mountain sports, and thanks to the new sports base at the House of Sustainability, you can enjoy nature all year round!
Alpine Sports Base
The Alpine sports base will not only be a starting point for sporting activities, it will also be a welcoming place for all participants to relax, enjoy group activities and make new friends in a sporting and healthy environment.
The house, built on 4 floors, is composed as follows:
- Floor -1: Main entrance for Sport Service, recreation room, sports equipment store, drying room
- Ground floor: Sleeping area, 3 rooms with 6 beds each, bathroom and shower in corridor
- Floor 1: Conference room and canteen
- Floor 2: Offices and convivial attic
Want to help us be even more eco-friendly?
Bring your own bedding set: pillow cover (50X70), mattress cover (80X200) and duvet cover (140X200).
Sheet bags or sleeping bags are not allowed.
Alternatively, you can hire your own set for 15 CHF at the Alpine Base.
Address: Via della Stazione 46, 6780 Airolo
The house is 1 minute from the SBB railway station, for how to get there see attached photo
Food
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the price and will be organised at the alpine house. Any intolerances or allergies must be reported at the time of registration.
Lunches will be taken at the Airolo-Pesciüm ski resort. Vouchers for the "Menu of the day + soup" can be purchased at the time of registration for CHF 16.50.
Alternatively, an indoor picnic area and a restaurant are available.
Activity
During the winter months, skiing, snowboarding, telemark, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing courses will be organised, while in fine weather we will accompany you on scenic walks during which you can admire the beautiful views of the Swiss Alps. For the more sporty, there will be climbing courses, e-bike tours and adventures with overnight stays under the stars!!!
The Alpine Sport Service team will be at your disposal to help you discover all the disciplines and to accompany you in the wonderful unspoilt nature of the Leventina Valley.
For details of the camps, please consult the tab at the bottom of the page.
Transport
Transport is to be organised individually.
To reduce the environmental impact, we recommend travelling by train on the Lugano-Airolo route.
Alpine Sports Team
- Head of Sport Service, Giorgio Piffaretti
- Course managers, Dalila Gervasoni and Paolo Medolago
Tariff from September to December 2024, trekking and E-MTB activities :
| Categoria | Prezzo in CHF |
|---|---|
| USI/SUPSI Students | 50 |
| USI/SUPSI Staff and students from other swiss university | 60 |
| Other | 75 |
Included in the price
- 1 overnight stay
- 1 half board (breakfast and dinner)
- 1 day mountain excursion
Excluded in the price:
- Bedding set for hire 15 CHF (pillow cover (50X70), mattress cover (80X200) and duvet cover (140X200)), alternatively you can bring your own! Sheet bags or sleeping bags are not permitted.
- E-MTB rental and conducted activities, payable locally:
| Category | Prezzo in CHF |
|---|---|
| USI/SUPSI Students | 20 |
| USI/SUPSI Staff and students from other swiss university | 30 |
| Other | 40 |
Tariff schedule January to March 2025, winter activities:
| Category | Prezzo in CHF |
|---|---|
| USI/SUPSI Students | 100 |
| USI/SUPSI Staff and students from other swiss university | 120 |
| Other | 150 |
Included in the price
- 1 overnight stay
- 1 half board (breakfast and dinner)
- 1 day equipment hire
- 4h x ski or snowboard course
- 1 ski pass
Excluded in the price:
- Bedding set for hire 15 CHF (pillow cover (50X70), mattress cover (80X200) and duvet cover (140X200)), alternatively you can bring your own! Sheet bags or sleeping bags are not permitted.
By proceeding with the purchase, the user accepts the instructions and rules of conduct of the Sport Service, available in the 'Attachments' section.
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Refund conditions
Refund conditions
- Reimbursement of 100% upon presentation of a medical certificate
- Reimbursement of 80% within 3 months of the event
- 50% reimbursement within 2 months of the event
- No reimbursement less than 2 months of the event, as for non-attendance
To proceed with your refund request, please contact the Sport Service by email stating the event and the reason for cancellation. Refund conditions will be applied according to the date of the request sport@usi.ch
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Waiting list
In case of sold-out, SOLD OUT seats, please contact the Sport Service to be placed on the waiting list.
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Winter camp equipment
Personal equipment
We recommend dressing in layers for outdoor activities:
- Breathable inner layer, long thermal underwear in synthetic fibre or merino wool to maintain warmth and have greater breathability
- Intermediate layer fleece or light insulating jacket, calibrate it according to the padding of your ski/snow jacket
- Outer layer your ski/snow jacket and trousers, we recommend windproof and waterproof suits (e.g. Goro Tex)
- Towels
- Indoor slippers/shoes
- Personal leisure clothing
- Board games
Sport equipment
- Sports equipment suitable for outdoor activities, available for hire from the Sports Department
- Warm gloves
- Neck warmers
- Cap or headband
- Helmet
- Ski mask/goggles
- Mountain sun cream
- Mountain backpack
- Hot thermos flask
- Head torch
- Snow boots
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Insurance
Participants are required to check the suitability of their insurance cover both in Switzerland and abroad. During all USI Sport Service activities it is compulsory to carry one's own insurance card or document.
We strongly recommend REGA patronage membership for 40 CHF/year.
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Ski courses levels
Beginners course
This course is intended for those who have never put on skis or who have made their first experiences but are still unable to make snowplough turns. The course will cover the following topics: moving on flat terrain, ascent with a ladder, ascent with a carpet, descent on a slope line and braking with a snowplough, first snowplough turns.
Elementary course
Prerequisite: knowing how to perform snowplough braking and the first rudiments of the snowplough turn on blue pistes.
The following topics will be taught: perfecting the snowplough turn, introduction to the snowplough turn, ascent with a plate or ski-lift.
Intermediate course
Prerequisite: knowing how to perform the snowplough turn on red slopes.
Topics covered: from the snowplough turn to the parallel turn, introduction of the short radius on easy slopes.
Advanced Course
Prerequisite: knowing how to perform the parallel turn on black runs.
Subjects covered: carving curve, short radius on a steep slope. -
Snowboard courses levels
Beginners course
This course is intended for those who have never put on a snowboard or who have had their first experience but are still unable to slide down the slope and take the carpet.
Elementary course
Prerequisite: knowing how to slide down the slope line on blue slopes and how to take the carpet.
The following topics will be taught: perfecting the drifting descent in the front and back slope line, first front and back diagonals and first turns, ascent with a plate or ski-lift.
Intermediate course
Prerequisite: knowing how to perform back and front turns on red pistes and how to ascend with the ski-lift or saucer.
Topics covered: perfecting turns, first easy free style shapes.