Dates 2012: -Group of friends: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 18th to 25th August.

*Price per person for 16h of flight based on a private group of 8 people.

Enjoy your heliski/boarding week from a traditional Chilean mountain village. You will stay at the friendly and cosy Farellones chalet which neighbours the 3 most prestigious ski resort of South America.  

You will depart each day from our base to Plomo and Tupungato where thousands of hectars of stunning mountainous terrain await and will undoubtedly offer some of the best rinding conditions and scenery in the world! 

At the end of each day you can enjoy your evening experiencing the mountain village nightlife or simply relaxing in the outdoor hot tub. 

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Dates 2012 : -Private group: Notify us your preferred dates.

- Individual participant: 21st to 28th of January.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

The Arlberg valley has a very good snow coverage all winter long. Along Arlberg valley several ski resorts as St Anton, Zürs, Zug, Lech, Stuben... offers a vast off piste skiing area.

All this resorts are linked by a ski bus, which make this area ideal for a star safari.

Our base is a family run hotel called Edelweiss. This cosy hotel is ideally situated in St Anton centre. Bars, restaurants and local amenities are from 50m away.

The nearest ski lift is approximately 300m from the hotel.

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Dates 2012: -Private group of : Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant :17th to 24th March.

*Price per person for 8h of heli flight based on a private group of 12 people.

Kamchatka peninsula is located on the north-east of Russia between the Okhotsk and the Bering Seas. This region is one of the most picturesque places on our planets and is famous for its volcanoes, geysers, breath-taking views and long lasting season. The total area of the peninsula is 472.300 square km.

Our lodge " The Snow Valley Lodge" is located in the Verkhne-Paratunskaya hot springs valley at the foot of Goryachaya Mountain (Hot Mountain) in a distance of 500m from the river Poperechnaya (Transversal River). It is 80km from the main town Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and 20km from the nearest settlement – Termalny village (Thermal village). Verkhne-Paratunskaya hot springs valley is famous for its healing thermal springs.

You can bath in the hot spring pools on the territory of the base or go to wild Karymshinskiye hot springs or hot pools at the slopes of Goryachaya Mountain.

Here you will enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view. Active volcanoes Mutnovsky (2322m) and Vilyuchinsky (2173m) are located in the immediate nearness from the lodge. After a good day of heli skiing you can also take a bath at the lodge's swimming pool!

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Date 2012: -Private group of friends: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participants: Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th March.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

Along the mediterraneenn sea, the Taurus range is one of the longest mountaineous range in middle East. The Aladaglar is the highest formation of the the Taurus range with an elevation of 3700 mts.

Find your balance back, while skiing in the great Turkish mountains. Ride while fantastic landscapes slide in front of your eyes. Grab the chance to ascend seven mountain peaks including snow-white volcanoes in Anatolia.

Have peaceful white dreams in the original villages. Last but not least, discover how nature and history go hand in hand in the mystifying Cappadocia.  

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Country: France

Level: ►►/►►►

Dates 2010: 10th July to 26th August

Option: Rafting (supplement of price)



 

The Tarentaise valley is situated in the northern French Alps. Famous ski resorts are located in this valley
particularly in the upper part. Since couple of years resorts like Sainte Foy, Val d’Isere, Les Arcs... have made huge efforts to offer a large choice of bike parks, downhill single tracks as well as beautiful cross country itineraries going down the valley for a 1500 - 2200 mts vertical drop.  

This radiating formula enables the guide to choose daily a destination so as to make the very best of prevailing conditions, to be in the right place at the right time, optimising the biking in each different area.

Our base, the Monal hotel is strategically located, this lovely hotel in a typical Savoy village, run by a local family, is the meeting point of inhabitants of the upper valley. Very confortable, it offers many amenities, including WIFI in the rooms. The Monal enables us to radiate out to all the surrounding resorts of the Upper Tarentaise, which can be reached in a 10 to 30 minutes drive.


 

Dates 2012: -Private group: Notify us your preferred dates.
-Individual participant: Saturday 28th July to Saturday 11th August.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

2 countries, 5 ski resorts, 2 vulcanoes, a 2800 kms loop, amazing landscape, 1 boarder crossing, 11 days skiing, a lot of fresh snow, loads of meet, huge vertical drop & tasty wine...

An extraordinary experience through one of the wildest & purest area in the world.

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From the 20th of november to the 15th of december, ride on the Patagonia volcanoes… Our riders can live the one of a kind experience of being lifted in a bell 407 helicopter from aboard the yacht « Atmosphere » and flow to exclusive locations in the Andes and coastal mountains range of the Patagonia. 

The Virgin snow allows expert skiers to ride on unspoiled terrain overlooking the sea and with panoramic views of glaciers and fjords. 

No place in the world offer such a spectacular combination of perfect snow, adrenaline packed aventure and breathtaking landscapes. 

Riders can also enjoy a wide range of other activities such as fly fishing, trekking, kayaking, rafting, horseback riding and jetboating in unexplored surroundings of incredible beauty, in the most southernmost corner of the world. 

Back onboard the « Atmosphere », our heliski guests enjoy a grand class service ; High cuisine, open bar, Spa, specialized attention and all the other components which make this voyage an unforgettable and unique experience.

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Who are we?

A non-profite association of professional mountain guides in France and Italy, offer tours all inclusive to experience the mountains, including those at high altitude, in the winter & summer, in every form (off piste skiing, heli-skiing, backcountry tours, ice climbing, mountaineering, trekking, canyoning....).

Devoted supporters

The pillars of 9 Valleys are our hotel keepers, restaurant owners, and drivers. With devotion, they ensure our comfort, they treat us to local specialities, they pick us up, they transfer our luggage. Far more than that, they offer us an individual welcome, full of warmth. They look forward to our arrival, and to the return of former participants.

Participants

Skiers and snowboarders from Europe, North America, Australia and other places, brought together by the love of the mountains. Often coming back, bringing friends, their participation makes the trips offered by 9 Valleys a success.
 

Identify your skiing level and choose the right safari!

-Soft adventure : for skiers at ease on red runs, linking good parallel turns: Soft adventure group, for relaxed skiing, physically less demanding. 

-Ski safari : for skiers capable of skiing black runs in controlled short turns, who are also very fit.

-3 levels of intensive skiing :
►Introduction to off-piste skiing and deep snow techniques.
►►Experienced deep snow skiers, able to cope with all conditions, but lacking style.
►►►Expert off-piste skiers who leave perfect tracks in deep snow,confident on steep terrain.

-Tarentaise snowboard safari : snowboarders, fit and able to handle all kinds of deep snow, steep terrain, back and front side traverses.

To participate in a individual participant groupe

Minimum ski standard : be capable of skiing a black mogul run in short controlled turns. (except soft adventure)
- If so, you will also be able to make perfect tracks in powder snow!
- If not, don't give up!
Take some lessons before you come, to acquire proper technique on packed snow. This will enable you to enjoy deep snow. Reviewing ones technique is always beneficial. The pros do, so why don't you?

Please check your qualification

Minimum physical condition : have enough endurance to do at least one of the following exercises:
- Run 10 km in an hour.
- Cycle on road 60 Km in hilly terrain in 3 hours.
- Climb in the mountains1000 vertical metres in 3 hours.

If you are not sure, have a try! With just a little training everyone can manage. And you will be perfectly fit and ready to make the best of your ski safari.

If the above requirements are too severe and do not make it sound like a holiday..., may be shall we have a Soft adventure group, for people who want to relax and enjoy life while skiing.

An eclectic team of "9 vallées - montain spirit" guides, who all wish to share their love of this region with you !

Strong attachment: all have built their houses and founded their families in the mountains
and are strongly attached to traditional values and authentic way of life.

Professional engagement: all are guides year round, either high mountain guides or hiking guides, who use skis to explore the mountains when snow covered.

Professional competence: all 9V guides are real specialists of their region, who have been leading people off piste safely for many years. Most are also qualified national ski instructors, members of their local ski school. All are anxious to have each participant experience a full mountain adventure at his own level.

Communication: all are very intent on communicating with people from all over the world and developing exchanges amongst participants of different cultures.
Sharing an adventure creates a bond ; « skis all speak the same language ».
All the guides can communicate in English, some also in German and Spanish.

Off piste skiing safety : instruction and training

All Safari 9 vallees guides give absolute priority to safety.

You will receive instruction during the week on how to avoid danger and minimise risks. You will learn about snow and safety: analysis of the snow cover, how to negotiate a slope and choose an itinerary.

Two way avalanche beepers: provided by Safari 9 vallees. Must be worn by each participant at all times off-piste. Our beepers Ortovox® work with all other recent 2-way devices.
If you have your own, please bring it.

Safety and rescue equipment: each guide will have all that is necessary for the safety of his group in his rucksack: walkie-talkie, first aid kit, tools for repair, space blanket, rope, shovel, avalanche probe...). The guide may ask you to carry such equipment in your rucksack.

If you are an experienced mountaineer with your own equipment, bring it with you.

Air Bag Système ABS® rucksack: We can provide it to you. Indicate whether or not on booking form. If you have your own, please bring it.

Important: Group research training with the Avalanche beepers will be organised at your arrival by 6pm. Training on the piste.


 

Dates 2012: -Private Group: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 5th to 12th February and 26th March to 2nd April.

*Prices per person based on a private group of 7 people.

Above 2000m. altitude, the Upper Tarentaise valley is snow-covered from December to May. This guarantees great off-piste skiing all season throughout the surrounding resorts : Tignes, Val d'Isère, Champagny, La Plagne, Montchavin, Peisey, Les Arcs, Villaroger, Sainte Foy, La Rosière - La Thuile (Italy).

Based in Sainte Foy in Hotel Le Monal. One night in a mountain hut. Strategically located, this lively hôtel in a typical Savoy village, run by a local family, is the meeting point of the inhabitants of the upper valley. Very comfortable, it offers many amenities, including a ski‐room and web connections in the rooms. It enables us to radiateout to all the surrounding resorts of the Upper Tarentaise, which can be reached in a 10 to 30 minutes drive.


The higher altitude of the resorts and upper valleys of the Tarentaise, as well as their optimal position in the Northern Alps, bordering Italy, endow them with exceptional snow cover, that can be guaranteed from December to May.


This radiating formula enables the guide to choose daily a destination so as to make the very best of prevailing condition, the right place at the right time,the skiing in each different area.

The Tarentaise valley is situated in the northern French Alps. Famous ski ressorts are located in this valley, particularly in the upper part. Major itineraries with a vertical drop of 1500 to 2200 metres lead us downhill many times a day.

Some days we will follow inter‐resort itineraries that connect several major ski areas. Spending one night in a mountain lodge enables us to explore some more distant areas.

The Tarentaise can be traversed without any climbing or ski touring, but... 
the most beautiful itineraries are to be found on the backsides of the resorts, which remain undeveloped because they are in the Vanoise National Park.

From the top of a ski lift, we traverse or climb to reach a ridge, which allows us to ski down the other side. If the access is close and visible from the ski lift, then it is often tracked. But as soon as we go a little further away and out of sight, we find secret passages with their virgin slopes.

Skiers who make the effort of climbing with touring skis and skins for at least half an hour will be immediately rewarded by becoming the only beholders of majestic snow covered peaks, in the realm of mountaineers. 

If the members of your group are ready for this option, many magnificent summits of the Vanoise Massif may be reached in 1 hour with skins from the top of the lifts.

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Dates 2012:-Private group, notify us your preferred date.

-Individual participant: 

*Price per person based on a private group of 5 people.

Valgrisenche is a unique virgin alpine valley, where helicopter drops are allowed for few skiers.



Following the French-Italian border, and parallel to the Upper Tarentaise valley on the other side, this wild valley- is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. On both sides, the summits culminate at more than 3000 mts (about 9.000 feet).



The helicopter drops you on one of the 20 authorised landing points, which enable you to ski many itineraries from the glaciers down to forests and clearings, and back to the hotel where you are accommodated during your stay, so runs of 1000 - 1950 vertical mts.



Every landing points enable you to ski various faces exposed North West to North East which is good to keep the snow light and fresh.

No prediction is feasible. But, from February to April, most of the time one can ski from the peaks to the valley and powder may often be found, even at the end of the season.



What is granted, is that Valgrisenche has its own micro-climate. Do not check with other regions, contact us to know the snow conditions there !

(Find out +)

Date 2012: - Private group: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: Saturday 17th to Saturday 24th March.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

In the Entremont Valley, the region where Saint Bernard of Aosta created in 1050 a high mountain hospice for his monks, later escorted by their famous dogs,…we offer a star ski safari, radiating from the Orsières village.

We combine the use of 92 ski lifts in 7 small ski resorts plus Verbier the big one, short climbs with skins to reach magnificient spots in high mountain landscapes, a variety of skiing activities to discover the best of the region between Verbier and the Grand Saint Bernard Pass. 

We selected a cosy hotel in Orsières, a village from where we can easily reach all the different ski resorts and their ski lifts.  

Run by the Osenda-Schers family, the “Terminus” is an agreable place to stay, enjoying the owner’s “French” cooking and the winter garden for a drink after skiing. Each room is fitted with shower, toilet and a direct phone line.  

One night will be spent in the famous Grand St Bernard hospice – alt. 2469 m, for an unforgettable evening with the monks, after a day’s skiing in the Super-Saint-Bernard area.  

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Date 2012: -Private group: notify us of your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 14th to 21st April 2012.

*Price per personne based on a private group of 8 people.

- Sorry we are working on translation, but please have a look, and don't hesitate to contact-us -

Les Alpes de Lyngen et les fjords du nord de la Norvège sont de purs espaces de calme et de poésie. Découvrez cette oasis nordique, bercée par le Gulf Stream. Entre les collines alanguies et les sommets alpins surgissant des fonds marins, nous sommes entre 69° et 70° Nord, au-delà du Cercle Polaire, en pays Sami. Pendant les navigations, l’aigle pygargue croise notre route. La nuit, les aurores boréales nous illuminent. La nature est en majesté et la neige s’offre à vous dans sa pureté.

Laissez nous vous emmener découvrir le Storgalten (1219m), le Vanntinden (1033m), le Blatinden (1142m) ou encore la «Montagne des Glaces», le Jiehkkevari qui culmine à 1833m.
Chaque jour, nous explorons de nouvelles pentes dominant les fjords, à la découverte de paysages sans cesse renouvelés, baignés de l’incomparable lumière du Grand Nord.
 Les ascensions (800 à 1 700 m de dénivelé, selon les envies et la forme !) débutent au niveau de la mer.


Une neige vierge et légère nous mène jusqu'au bord de mer, jalonné de charmants villages aux maisons de bois colorées.
Tous les jours, Albarquel vous dépose là où votre envie de ski panoramique et de neige vierge sera satisfaite. 

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Date 2012: -Private group: notify us your preferred dates.
-Individual participant: 28th August to 11th September.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

Buenos Dias!

During south hemispher winter 1995, while travelling through different ski resorts between Chile and Argentina, I discovered this jewel of the Andes called “Las Leñas”. Since then, I had to go back every yearand this is how I have explored all the hidden corners of this paradise of powder and freeride.



Las Leñas is located in the state of Mendoza, the Argentinean wine capital.
In between Pampas and high Andes Cordillera, surrounded by peaks over 5000 m, with no trace of human passage.

Las Leñas have the advantage of heavy snowfalls with more than 10 m. of packed snow for the 2005 austral winter. The lifts of the resort allow us to ride without even pushing a vertical drop of 1200mts, from numerous couloirs to wide open slopes. The landscape is totally different from the scenery of the Alps, at Las Leñas you ride with the condor over your head.



At the end of August every year, a snow storm called “Santa Rosa” spreads usually an average of 3mts of fresh powder over the range. That is why the beginning of September is just the perfect time to be there.



We stay in a 4 stars hotel with swimming pool, hot tubs and sauna. It’s exactly what we need after a good day of freeride!

We will enjoy the good argentinian meat cooked on wood fire (assado) and regional delicious wine.

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Dates 2012: -Private group: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 10th to 17th March.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.
 

A tremendous alpine experience through the upper valleys of the Italian side of the Monte Rosa Massif with its renowned 4000 mts peaks: Matterhorn, Breithorn, Castor, Polux, Lyskamm and Monte Rosa.

The lifts of each valley, or short connections with touring skis take us up to the peaks, as high as 4200 mts.



Stay in 3 typical inns run by local families + 2 nights in a mountain hut.



On the Italian side of the Monte Rosa Massif, each valley has its own ski resorts and it is possible to ski from one valley to the next using the ski lifts, which go up as high as 3820 mts.

There is a wide variety of untracked skiing to be done on vast terrain at all altitudes, depending on the weather and the snow conditions, either up on the glaciers and high snow fields or down below tree-line.

The imposing summits of this massif are all over 4000 mts high, Matterhorn, Breithorn, Castor, Polux, Lyskamm and the various peaks of Monte Rosa. Some of them can be reached on touring skis or by helicopter, to highlight the week and descend 2400 vertical metres.


A tour of the whole massif is planned for a day of good weather, beginning in Gressoney, landing on Col de Lys (alt. 4250 mts.) and skiing down the immense Swiss glaciers to Zermatt, then taking lifts up to the Klein Matterhorn (alt. 3820 mts.)  to ski down the Italian side towards Cervinia.

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Dates 2012 : -Private group: Notify us your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 28th January to 4th February.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

Awesome skiing in the majestic scenery of the Dolomites.

Famous itineraries and untracked snow in : Valgardena - Sella- Campitello - Canazei - Marmolada - Arabba - Passo Pordoi - Passo Falzareggo. 

Aside from the classic routes, few people ski off-piste, which makes this region ideal.



Base: Hotel Bellevue*** in Selva-Wolkenstein/Val Gardena.



In the heart of the Dolomites of South Tyrol, inthe famous Val Gardena there is a charming village-resort called Selva (in Italian) or Wolkenstein (in German). You will be staying in Hotel Bellevue, run by the Kelder family.



Every morning the lifts of Selva take you up towards a different destination, to radiate on the Dolomiti Superski region, where 460 lifts  connect 1220 km of pistes in 11 valleys -about 40 ski resorts in 12 “grands domains”. Most skiers there will be busy doing the big piste circuits, such as « Sella Ronda ». If needed, the technology ensures the snow cover of 90% of these pistes.



Off-piste you will meet few people except on the most classic itineraries, which sometimes become mogul runs when it hasn’t snowed for a long time !  Otherwise, you will have the Dolomites to yourselves, skiing down vast snowfields, over-shadowed by rock pinnacles and huge cliffs, to finish in the forest. Other routes lead you through canyons between rock towers or down steep chutes with a vertical drop of 1000 metres, to end in a charming village down in the valley.

There you will discover a land that has preserved, through centuries, wars and modern tourism, its own culture and mountain traditions.



Our hosts, the friendly and proud South Tyroleans, are happy to have you appreciate their delicious food and wine.

(Find out +)

Dates 2012: -Private group: notify us of your preferred dates.

-Individual participant: 14th to 21st January, 4th to 11th February and 24th to 31st March.

*Price per person based on a private group of 7 people.

Great adventure itinerary tour far away from the marked ski runs.
Using the ski lifts to get up each mountain, your guide then takes you over a ridge to ski the wild undeveloped side, down glaciers and untouched snowfields, through forests and clearings, right down to the valley with its villages. Descents may reach 2000 vertical metres.



You are welcomed with Savoyard hospitality in 3 cosy family-run hotels where your luggage is transferred.


Explore undeveloped mountain sides and descend 1500 to 2000 vertical metres in untracked snow.



Discover the wild regions of the beautiful Tarentaise, which have been preserved by the Vanoise National Park.



Ski off-piste for six days discovering the highest peaks and new valleys with small villages each day.

Drink a glass of wine with the locals and taste their "savoyard" specialities and produce.


The Tarentaise can be traversed without any climbing or ski touring, but... 
the most beautiful itineraries are to be found on the backsides of the resorts, which remain undeveloped because they are in the Vanoise National Park.

From the top of a ski lift, we traverse or climb to reach a ridge, which allows us to ski down the other side. If the access is close and visible from the ski lift, then it is often tracked. But as soon as we go a little further away and out of sight, we find secret passages with their virgin slopes.

Skiers who make the effort of climbing with touring skis and skins for at least half an hour will be immediately rewarded by becoming the only beholders of majestic snow covered peaks, in the realm of mountaineers. 

If the members of your group are ready for this option, many magnificent summits of the Vanoise Massif may be reached in 1 to 3 hours with skins from the top of the lifts.

After more of 30 years and over 200 Ski Safaris, we still haven't been everywhere and we always find new routes to ski with you... This is why each safari is unique.

Every day, your guide chooses the best itineraries to make the most of each area, depending on prevailing snow and weather conditions and on the ability of the participants.

So come and join us for a great off-piste skiing adventure!


(Find out +)

http://www.twinner-tignes-le-lac.fr/
Rental shop based in Tignes where we use to rent our touring & freeride skis

http://www.anena.org

French association for the study of snow and avalanche

http://www.montagneinfo.net

To get the last mountain conditions

http://www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com

Smallest ski resort of tarentaise valley
 

http://www.tignes.net

Our office

http://www.valdisere.com

http://www.lesarcs.com

http://www.valmorel.com

Small ski resort with good snow conditions

http://www.peisey-vallandry.com

http://www.larosiere.net

http://www.alagna.it

http://www.laslenas.com

The best ski freeride spot of Andes
 

http://www.stantonamarlberg.com/winter

http://www.verbier.ch

http://www.skilaparva.cl

Explore the mountain away from the rat race and discover new places. 

The mountain was here before us and will be here after us. Kingdom of mountainers and ski tourers, we respect it and we love it at the same time.

We will allow you to enjoy the mountain at your own pace.

Our programs take place in France, Italy, switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Chile, they are original and a great human and sporting experience. 

Specialized in the organisation of all inclusive heli-skiing trips since 30 years, Safari 9 vallees, offers you various destinations. The heliskiing is a choice mean to discover some mountains which will never be equipped with ski lifts.

Since the 1980’s the heliski base of  Valgrisenche, in Val d’Aosta - Italy - is the European mecca of  heli-skiing.  Easy to reach from Genève, Milan or Lyon, we organise week-end and full week package.

Few years ago heliskiing has started in South America. In partnership with AndesHeliboarding, 9 vallees offers you helicopter packages in Chilean central Cordillera around Santiago as well as an exclusive trip in a yacht, cruising in Patagonia coast, to allow you to ski some unspoiled slopes of the Andes range in a unique experience.


The "ski safari" are all inclusive ski adventures. We organise this kind of holidays since 1980.

Our ski and snowbaord programs takes place in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Argentina, Chile, Norway, Turkey, Japan, Russia...
 

By using some of the ski lifts from the various ski resorts we go to, it gives us the opportunity to drop to the wild untracked faces.


-Safari tour: Skiing from one valley to the other, we sleep in different villages (hotels, refuge), luggages are being transfered.



-Star safari: From one base (hotel), we can access to many different resorts within a 15 minutes drive. It allows us to explore the famous itineraries by selecting the best snow conditions of the moment.

Made to measure Ski Safari for families or friends. Ideal for Christmas, New Year’s, Easter or any other period on request. Contact us!