All PhD students, postdocs and members of the scientific staff working in the NanoFront program and NanoFront related research at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft and the Leiden Institute of Physics are kindly invited to join us for the second edition of the NanoFront Winter Retreat!

In the week of March 27 to March 31, 2017, we will stay in Courchevel in the French Alps, for five days of exciting lectures on nanoscience, multiple interactive sessions, challenging workshops and fun social activities.

The NanoFront Winter Retreat offers an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow NanoFront researchers. During the scientific sessions in the mornings and evenings, you will learn more about their recent findings. In the afternoons, all participants are free to go skiing (at their own expenses).

Travel and stay
We will depart by touring car from Leiden and Delft in the early morning of Monday March 27. We will arrive in Courchevel after dinner time. During the five days, we will stay in this Mercure hotel in Courchevel. Junior researchers will have to share a hotel room (max. 4 persons per room), for senior researchers we will book private rooms. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel. 

The return trip is planned for Friday March 31, after dinner. In the early morning of Saturday April 1 we will be back again in the Netherlands.

Program
From Tuesday through Friday, we will organise scientific sessions in the mornings and early evenings. The program will consist of contributions from our group members, ranging from experienced PIs to PhD students who just started their research. The scientific committee consisting of Andrea Caviglia, Hyun Youk and Milan Allan will compose the program. In December 2016, the scientific committee will let you know if your presentation or poster is accepted. 

In the afternoons, all participants are free to go skiing or snowboarding. The hotel is situated on one of the Couchevel skiing slopes. The "Vallée de Courchevel" has 150 kilometers of piste, and 60 lifts. It is part of the "Les Trois Vallées" area, the world's largest linked skiing area, with over 600 kilometers of trails and 174 lifts.

Costs
Please note that NanoFront will cover the costs for:

• your travel by bus on March 27 and March 31,
• your stay in the hotel (four nights),
• the meals in the hotel (breakfast, lunch, dinner),
• coffee/tea/water with the meals and during the breaks.

The costs involved with skiing or snowboarding are at your own expense, as are the other extras, like drinks at the bar etc.

Skiing/snowboarding
We have arranged group discounts for the equipment rental (sets or skis/board only, adjusted to your level) and for the ski passes of the area. Please indicate in the registration form if you want to make use of these offers. If so, Stijn Reniers from our booking agency Corporate Meeting Partner will contact you about the rental details and the payment specifications.

If it is your first time skiing or snowboarding, or if you want to improve your technique, you can take lessons in Courchevel. Please indicate in the booking form if you want to be contacted about the ski/snowboard class options. If you already are an experienced skier or snowboarder and want to teach your tips and tricks to your fellow PhD students and postdocs, then let us know in the registration form!      

Cancellation policy
Please note that you can only cancel your registration without costs involved if you notify Jolijn Leeuwenburgh before December 1, 2016. If you cancel after December 1, you will be charged the costs that were made for you, unless you find someone else to take your spot. Depending on the moment of cancellation (the earlier we know it, the less costs involved for you), this can accumulate up to 800 Euro per person.

Registration
In case you want to change or add anything to your registration, please send an e-mail to Jolijn Leeuwenburgh. The registration deadline has passed. It is possible to register for our waiting list - if someone cancels their registration you will be notified.