New YTC brochure, destinations and ski and snowboard club

YTC has launched its skiing/snowboarding season with the introduction of the first-ever ski and snowboard club in Malta and a new brochure, complete with new destinations.

The 36-page brochure lists the various destinations on offer, prices and departure dates, as well as other important information for skiers and snowboarders.

Besides its main destinations - the duty-free Alpine village of Livigno in northern Italy, Val di Fassa in the heart of the Italian Dolomites and Bormio - YTC is also offering the chic Swiss resort close to Gstaad, Les Diablerets, and Berchtesgaden in Germany, as well as reintroducing Wagrain in Austria. Besides its skiing destinations YTC are also offering La Nuvola - a converted farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany.

Addressing a press conference at the New Dolmen Hotel recently, YTC ski co-ordinator Stellina Galea said the common denominator of these renowned resorts is their "central location, good hotels, good service and good ski schools."

Since the last decade saw a sharp rise in the popularity of mountain holidays, YTC sees the launch of Malta's first ski and snowboard club as an almost natural progression. Skiers and snowboarders can now form part of a snow sports community and share experiences and ideas, Ms Galea said.

The club aims to gather together snow sports enthusiasts as often as possible, providing members with information and updates on the sport via e-mail, as well as offering numerous benefits in the form of discounts on skiing holidays and related products and services both in Malta and Livigno.

YTC is offering a number of departure dates to choose from. It is also organising two snowboarding weeks. Prices vary according to dates and skiers are encouraged to take advantage of the off-peak weeks when the skiing is good, but the costs are lower.

Also present at the launch at the New Dolmen Hotel was Livigno's deputy mayor Narcisio Zini, who described Livigno as an all-round ski resort, offering something for everyone.

Mariano Galas, YTC's ski co-ordinator and technical adviser, as well owner of La Nuvola farmhouse, spoke of the services his ski school offers in Livigno. Mr Galas, who has experience with Maltese skiers, is the ski director of the ski school Top Club Mottolino.

YTC is the official representative of the Livigno Tourist Board in Malta.

For a free copy of the YTC brochure, contact YTC at 227, Merchants Street, Valletta, (tel. 2141-4340; 2141-4811, 2123-3893 or 9942-0377); or call at any YTC authorised travel agent. For further information visit Website www.ytctravel.org.