Loris Beltrando

Loris Beltrando is a cross-country ski instructor specialized in Telemark who carries out his activity on the wonderful slopes of the Festiona ski area (CN).

He offers an original travel project to all those who want to experience a wonderful experience on the snow-covered slopes with skis or snowshoes on their feet: the Tour of Occitania!

This trip aims to explore a region of southern Piedmont, characterized by the fact that it is part (together with southern France and northern Spain) of an unrecognized state called Occitania.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoes allow you to visit the villages and valleys of this area in a safe and natural way.

By enhancing the use of these traditional means for traveling on the snow, Loris Beltrando will give you the opportunity to practice a form of eco-compatible tourism, discovering unknown territories that are not very popular with the masses.

Loris Beltrando Ciaspole will accompany you during fun excursions on the snow-covered slopes of the Cuneo area, to discover the unspoiled nature of these wonderful lands.

Snowshoes (or ciastre) were in ancient times a means of locomotion on the snow which was fundamental for the inhabitants of the mountain.

Thanks to the excursions guided by Loris Beltrando you can practice a form of eco-sustainable tourism along the slopes of the ski areas of the Valle Stura di Demonte (CN).

For those wishing to experience a real travel experience on the snow, Loris Beltrando also offers an interesting “responsible tourism” trip called the tour of the lands of Occitania (southern Piedmont, southern France and northern Spain).

The trip has an expected duration of 3 days, develops in the Gesso, Stura and Maira valleys and mixes the use of snowshoes with cross-country skiing.

The maximum number of participants is 8-10 people. No particular technical / training skills are required as Loris Beltrando will try to adapt the excursion to the characteristics of the participants.

Cross-country skiing is offered at a promotional level and can therefore be replaced, on request, with an additional excursion with skis.

For more information and reservations write to Loris Beltrando Ciaspole . You will receive an answer as soon as possible!

Loris Beltrando Cross Country Ski awaits you on the splendid slopes of the Festiona ski area (CN) with its ski lessons and travel proposals through the lands of Occitania.

The proposed Occitania Tour winds along the itineraries of that unrecognized state that extends in the area between southern Piedmont, southern France and northern Spain (united by the language d'oc).

The travel program outlined by Loris is divided as follows:

1st day: Valle Gesso (cross country skiing)
Arrival of the group at the Entracque-Gelas cross-country ski tracks.
In the morning guided tour (free) to the Chiotas dam which, thanks to the upstream and downstream basins and a pumping system, is able to use the same water several times to produce electricity.
At the end of the guide, ski along the slopes of the Entracque-Gelas area which are classified as the most technical and difficult in the Cuneo area to the point that they have recently hosted national FISI events. The paths wind through the Natural Park of the Maritime Alps. Lunch at a snack bar. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day: Valle Stura (cross-country skiing)
After breakfast, departure for the cross-country ski slopes of Festiona, Bergemolo, Aisone, Vinadio and Strepeis (depending on the snow conditions) where participants will be led to discover the various tracks. Depending on the snow cover, it is possible to travel along the route of the "Promenado" gran fondo and return by ski-shuttle. Lunch at a snack bar. The Stura Valley is fully considered the cradle of Piedmontese and national cross-country skiing, having given birth to the champions Giulietto Gerardi and Stefania Belmondo. Followed by a thermal bath at the Terme di Vinadio and a special dinner. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
3rd day: Valle Maira (cross-country skiing or snowshoeing)
After breakfast departure for the Prazzo and Acceglio slopes in Valle Maira. From a panoramic point of view, they are located at higher altitudes than the others, in an alpine environment, and this allows you to do cross-country skiing almost as an excursionist or to take beautiful walks with snowboards with a view of the “Rocca Provenzale”. Lunch at the Camp Base di Chiappera refuge and possible visit to the "Lo Puy" goat farm in S. Damiano Macra. End of the trip in the afternoon. On request, alternative travel solutions to those indicated in this program can be proposed. The ciastre were introduced to allow everyone to admire the beauty of the snow-capped mountains of the Maritime Alps.

Groups of up to 25 people can participate in this trip and the participation fee includes:

• assistance from the ski instructor forexcursions on the snow for a minimum of 4 hours per day;
• any group or private master classes
• accompaniment during visits and afternoon activities

The trip is recommended for people who have a sufficient basic technique in cross-country skiing. A suitable training is required to be able to carry out at least 15-20 km per day, in order to appreciate and discover the beauty of the various tracks. It is not recommended for beginners and untrained people.

Contact the cross-country ski instructor Loris Beltrando now and agree on the dates for your adventure on the snow-covered slopesof Occitania!