European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 24, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Afr european vacations with an american flavor by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer for More than 40 years the armed forces recreation Center has offered service members and Dod civilians european ski vacations with an american flavor arc s resorts in Garmisch Berchtesgaden and Chi Emsee Germany have a full Range of accommodations Winter sports opportunities and activities for the whole family. Arc operates its own slopes in Berchtesgaden and Garmisch and buses customers from its Lakeside hotels at Chi Emsee to nearby ski areas Bernhard Bruckdorfer Winter sports program manager for arc Garmisch says there Are several Good reasons to go to arc. The Best reason he says is that arc resorts Are in Quot one of the greatest areas Quot for skiing. In addition the facilities and programs Are Quot tailored and targeted to our american customers Quot Bruckdorfer says. Prices Are in dollars and the English speaking staff members spare customers the Effort of having to struggle with a foreign language. In terms of the number and Quality of services and programs provided arc compares favourably with any other major european ski resort. And the Price is right Garrett Smith assistant Genera manager of arc Berchtesgaden says lift ticket prices in Austria and Germany average $22 a Day. At Berchtesgaden s Skytop area a Day pass costs $12. Quot you can get a lunch for about $5 in one of our restaurants Quot Smith says. Quot it would Cost you $10 or $12 at a German  according to arc Public affairs specialist Harry Connors hotel prices at arc Are about 25 percent below those on the German Economy. Quot that is not to say there is not some off the Wall place that is cheaper Quot Connors says Quot but not a full service  he says in some cases arc hotel prices Are 50 percent cheaper than those of equivalent German facilities. Room prices at arc Are based on rank. At Berchtesgaden and Garmisch a double without Bath costs $24 per night for e-1 to e-5 and $28 a night for e-6 and up. A double with Bath costs $39 a night for e-1 to e-5 and $44 a night for e-6 and up. At the Chi Emsee Park hotel a double with Bath costs $36 a night for e-1 to e-5 and $42 a night for e-6 and up. At the Chi Emsee Lake hotel a double with Bath costs $42 for e-1 to e-5 and $49 for e-6 and up. Single occupancy rates Are $3 below the double rates. Rates for More than two in a room is $9 per extra adult. There is no charge for children under 16 in parents room if no extra bed is required. Cribs Cost $3 per night and cots $6 per night extra. Arc continually upgrades its programs and facilities. Connors said that in january a new $1.8 million Quot state of the Art environmentally Friendly Quot Snow making system was completed on the Skytop area in Berchtesgaden and new a Snow making system is scheduled to go into operation dec. 1. A Garmisch s Hausberg slopes. The Snow making capability will help free arc from Complete dependence on the weather. As Long As the temperatures Are Low enough there will be Snow on the trails. In other upgrades this year two new rope tows were installed on the Hausberg. In recent years arc has teamed up with the Deutsche Bun Desbah to offer special discount tickets for guests who wish to leave their cars at Home. Considering the difficulties of Winter driving and during vacation periods the likelihood of traffic jams on the autobahn this is an excellent Benefit. Savings of 50 percent or More Are possible Over the regular Price of a round trip ticket. For example a round trip second class ticket from Darmstadt Germany costs $68. The regular Price is 216 Marks $144. A round trip second class ticket from Bremerhaven Germany also costs $68. The regular Price is 390 Marks $260. Anyone who has confirmed bookings at an arc hotel is eligible to Purchase the Cut rate tickets. Program offerings Range from Winter survival outings for the very adventurous to Low key Quot soft Quot ski weeks for the Quot less athletically  the Overall focus at All three arc resorts is on providing Complete family vacation packages. In addition to lift passes and instruction Many of the ski specials include evening activities Winter specials it the main Winter focus is on downhill skiing. Arc Here Are a few of arc s offerings including some of the activities they feature downhill ski week this five Day package is featured at All three resorts and includes lift passes instruction transportation to slopes evening activities bavarian dinner awards dinner and group photo. Two lesson periods Are held per Day two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Cost is $159. Ski Austria week also offered at All three resorts. Skiers Are bused to some of the better known slopes in Austria. This program is for skiers of at least intermediate level. It includes lift passes five Days of guided skiing transportation to and from slopes bavarian dinner and Farewell dinner. Cost is $159. Ski kids sports week this package is designed for children 5 to 7. It includes five Days of instruction ski equipment snacks lunches bavarian dinner and awards dinner. Cost is $99. Soft ski week this program was created for people who would rather relax than become Gung to skiers. It includes most features of the downhill ski week but there is Only one instruction period per Day in the morning. Afternoons Are free for skiing alone relaxation or other activities. Cost is $159. Cross country ski week a five Day program designed for beginners. It includes transportation to trails instruction evening activities bavarian dinner awards dinner and group photo. Cost is $79. Outdoor Challenge a pair of packages designed for groups a clubs units squadrons a but also for individuals. Participants choose either the Cross country Alpine package or the Back country skiing plan. They feature a variety of demanding physical activities including Cross country skiing downhill skiing biathlon Competition and Winter survival instruction. Included Are instruction by an expert guide lift pases races ski equipment and six nights lodging. Cost depends on accommodations and meal plan. Photography workshop a College credit course that includes 20 hours of instruction film lectures and demonstrations. Cost is $168. Arc has Many other special packages for All age groups and ability Levels. Snowboard sports week this is a learn to course patterned after the ski weeks. Cost is $159