This topic has not been addressed in a while. We will be hiking the Alta Via 1 in September. We have reservations at huts for 9 nights. We are interested in becoming CAI members or members of another alpine club for the benefits of reduced rates and rescue. I understand that in Italy, you must sign up at a local office, and the Venice office has limited hours. We will be in Venice for only 24 hrs. Some of the other Alpine clubs you can sign up online. Is it worth it? I believe that only 4 or 5 huts offer discounts because some are private. Thoughts? Thank you
Posted by
Boston
1732 posts
Why not sign up? The discounts are not nothing, and you'll show goodwill. If you need rescue, CAI volunteers will help regardless - they do it regularly in the Cinque Terre. Perhaps you'll be near another office? Also I've seen the office near us in Liguria open at times other than the posted time.
Here's a list of CAI Sezioni in Trentino/Alto Adige https://www.cai.it/regione/trentino-alto-adige/
Sezioni in other regions can be found here, using the 'Sezioni / Seleziona una regiona' button midway down on the page: https://www.cai.it/
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1559 posts
Not sure you can join so easily. The Italian Club follows the general rules of Italian public associations, so your application has to be validated by the council of the section you are joining. It could take a few weeks, so ask well in advance.
Posted by
OP
cleveland
2 posts
Thank you. I will have a passport photo and go to the office in Venice when I am there and hope for the best. I read that their hours are random and often not there when it says they are open. Many other Alpine Clubs you can join on the internet. I would prefer to join CAI since I will be there even though there is some reciprocity with other clubs. Friends have used US Alpine memberships with varied results.
Patterson
Posted by
Boston
1732 posts
Looks like it takes 2 photos and 65 Euro which might affect your discount computation. http://www.caivenezia.it/index.php?p=p&i=17