There is a tip, how Central European could use low cost flights and extend the climbing season across winter (or for skiing in Dolomites). As an employee I have limited amount of vacation and for other free time I have only weekends.

So the ideal is to depart from Prague, Czech Republic, on Friday evening and be back on Sunday night or Monday early in the morning.  And then of course somewhere to the south, where the probability of good weather is higher then in Czech Republic.  That demand match to the fly with Sky Europe from Prague to Milan, Bergamo.  You can purchase it for about 60 euros including luggage and all other costs.

From there it is about  130 km to Arco, or 250 km to Finale Ligure, as some kind of insurance if the weather in Arco would be really bad.  In Bergamo you can rent a car for two days for 60 euros. Gasoline to Arco and back would cost about 30 euros, from 3 to 9 euros you will pay for highway (according to which way will you go). The accommodation would be in some apartment in price about 50 euros per 2 persons and night (allegedly there should be some cheaper for 30 euros, but we did not find any). Camps are closed from mid of November.


Arco, Massone in winter
photo by © Standa@czechclimbing.com

The weather was ideal for climbing in 2nd half of November and the first half of December 2008, sun and temperature about 8 degrees of Celsius in shade and perhaps over 20 degrees on sun. Ideal friction, we belayed in dawn jackets and climbed in t-shirts. A plenty of local climbers and also some Austrian and German were on crags at Massone, Arco.


The last weekend in Arco - ideal climbing weather: Killer Event 7b+
photo by © Standa@czechclimbing.com

Some specifics tips: You can bought the flights via internet on www.skyeurope.com (I hope that the company will survive some economical problems reported in newspapers). Couple months in advance you can buy in quite better price, later it could be more. Departure from Prague is on Friday on 19:00, arrival to Bergamo airport Orio al Serio is at 20:25. Than you should quickly go to car rentals directly on the airport. It is necessary to book car via internet in advance. Two days before flight we rented mostly the smallest car (category A) at Hertz (www.hertz-europe.com). In about 10 minutes you will get car keys and can take the car in 1 km far away parking site reachable by airport free bus.

We go to Arco via western side of the lake Lago di Garda which is about 130 km long and lasts about 2,5 hours. As the way back we use more east side highway longer (about 180 km, also 2,5 hours) but quicker than the east way in the Sunday afternoon heavier traffic through the lake west side towns.

We book the accommodation by phone from Prague just before departure. I recommend to search some accommodation via google and book it in advance.

The flight back is on Sunday at 20:55. The arrival to Prague is at 22:20.


Airport Orio al Serio, Bergamo, Italy
photo by © Standa@czechclimbing.com

If you will go just two: It can cost 169 euro that is 4225 CZK. If you will be four people it could be 143 euros for one (3600 CZK). There are situations you can reach tickets in lower price during some actions etc. You can spare money if only one of the pair people will pack only one luggage (limit 20 kg) which safe 20 euros (500 CZK) for one bag and then the flight costs 58 Euros for one. A then you can look for cheaper accommodation or sleep in sleeping bag somewhere under crags. It can cost 82 euros or 2050 CZK for one person.

I did not count the cost for food but it could be on same level as you would eat home. If you would like to cook on stove remember you cannot take gas stove to plane, so some metaldehyd tablets stove could be the solution. Or to take your own gas stove and buy gas cartridge in Arco climbing equipment shops.

So there were my experience with low cost flights from Prague to warmer climbing. The destination Bergamo is naturally super suitable for skiing in Alps. And you, do you have some similar or different experience with cheap flights escapes?

More detailed description of the topic on my personal blog: www.3six77.com.