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Important Information

YOUR HOLIDAY

What is included:

What is NOT included:

*Approximate cost per person per week is £5. The tax is collected by our reps and paid locally to the authorities.

TO QUALIFY FOR GROUP DISCOUNTS

Please remember if a member of your group cancels it may incur an empty bed charge, affect your group places, and carry a cancellation charge (see booking conditions). Having a standby list of people to come on your holiday is often the best solution. If you find a substitute they naturally take on the holiday cost of the person they are replacing and there may be an amendment fee for the name change or even a 100% cancellation charge for scheduled flight services. Please check with us for details.

  1. All communication and payment must come from one party leader or agent and all amendments must be in writing from the group leader.
  2. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that payment is made by one cheque, debit or credit card. If payment is made by more than one cheque, debit or credit card on group bookings enjoying free places, there will be a handling fee of £10 per card/cheque in addition to the normal credit card charges. (Visa or Mastercard carry a 1.25% charge). It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that all group members have read the important information and booking contract. Failure to pay the balance on the specified due date will result in free places or group reductions being withdrawn.
  3. Free places are calculated on the lowest basic price and do not include insurance, ski packs or other supplements. If different price categories are booked, the free places come from the lowest price category including children.
  4. Group discounts apply to initial numbers booked and not to subsequent additions. If the group size reduces after booking, the number of free places will also be reduced accordingly.
  5. All reductions and free places are subject to availability and may change at any time.
  6. All group members must have adequate insurance, it is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that this is the case.
  7. Group discounts do not apply to weekend and short breaks.
  8. Group discounts do NOT apply to late availability prices.
  9. The whole group must arrive on the same date, though you may book different methods of travel.
  10. Half price places are calculated by dividing the basic price by 2 and then applying any reductions e.g. self drive or applying any supplements e.g. room supplements.
  11. Children (or adults) paying half price and enjoying any discount (including 10% child reduction) count as half a person in the calculation of free places.
  12. For bookings to Europe, names of those in the group must be supplied at least 8 weeks before departure.

CHILD PRICES (EUROPE)

  Infant under 2 charge Children 2-11 including reduction
Catered chalets by train Free in own cot 10% or 50%*
By air £30 in own cot 10% or 50%*

50% reduction applies to specific family rooms as detailed in the website floorplans and descriptions - please ask our sales team. Under 2's do not have a seat on trains or flights and transfers. (see transfers section).

CONDITIONS FOR FAMILY ROOMS AND CHILD DISCOUNTS (EUROPE)

Child reductions of 10% are applied after any room or transport reductions e.g. self-drive. All reduced prices apply to the basic holiday cost only. Any supplements for rooms, ski packs or flights are payable in full. The child's age on the date of return must not exceed that stated on the booking form.
Infants under 2 years travelling free or paying the flight ticketing charge do not have a seat on flights or transfers unless they are classified as children in which case the child prices apply.
All child reductions for European air or train holidays apply to charter transport only.
10% reduction is not applicable where children are already enjoying a discount or special offer e.g. half price accommodation or promotional prices.

50% REDUCTION FOR CHILDREN IN FAMILY ROOMS APPLIES WHERE THERE IS A MINIMUM OF 2 ADULTS

All reductions are subject to availability and may change at any time. Child discounts and family room reductions do not apply to late availability holidays.

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FLIGHT INFORMATION

Flights are provided by Skiworld and are issued under a separate contract. Please read the booking contract on the following pages. If Skiworld need to book transport specifically for your holiday, (i.e. they have sold their allocation or you require a tailormade option) you must provide a credit card authority and agree to pay the full cost before we can request the transport.

Please note that at the time of writing, all flights are on Saturdays.
Charter flights at the beginning and end of the season are sometimes mixed with scheduled. Regional flights commence on the 16th of December 2005.

Skiworld provisional flight times
GATWICK to Geneva dep. 06:45 return landing 10:55
GATWICK to Chambery dep. 06:10 return landing 11:00
MANCHESTER to Geneva dep. 06:30 return landing 11:40
MANCHESTER to Chambery dep. 06:00 return landing 11:10
BIRMINGHAM to Chambery dep. 06:30 return landing 11:10
EDINGBURGH to Geneva dep. 06:35 return landing 11:45
BRISTOL to Geneva dep. 06:25 return landing 10:40

Scheduled Flight information (provided under a separate contract and issued by Skiworld)

E-TICKETS

For most of our scheduled flights you will be issued with an e-ticket. This is in fact a voucher for travel with your itinerary. Take this to the check-in desk where you will be issued with your boarding card. This means, if your e-ticket is lost then your flight is still secure.

PRE-BOOKING OF SEATS

All scheduled flights clients are responsible for pre booking their own seat numbers. We can provide the correct telephone number so you can call the airline directly.

CARRIAGE OF SKIS/SNOWBOARDS

If taking equipment with you, please note the following:
BOOTS are carried free as part of your luggage allowance SNOWTRAIN and EUROSTAR - one set of skis or one snowboard per person are carried free CHARTER FLIGHTS In line with their competitors and due to the great expense of alternative transport arrangements when skis are off-loaded, Skiworld use a carriage charge on charter flights of £15 per board or set of skis if pre-booked, or £20 if presented at the airport and not pre-booked. This applies whether other items are carried in a ski/board bag or not. This means that should your skis or board fail to travel on your flight, we will arrange for them to be forwarded to your resort at no extra charge. It is suggested that you do not carry any other items other than skis/snowboards in your ski/snowboard bag in case of luggage being delayed.

SCHEDULED FLIGHTS

Skis/snowboards are carried as part of the luggage allowance. Please note that a ski bag and/or a boot bag are equal to one piece of luggage. Total amount of luggage permitted is 2 pieces. Dimension restrictions may apply.

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TRAIN INFORMATION

The availability of seats on Skiworld train services is limited. Bookings at the advertised supplements are on a first come first served basis. Once Skiworld allocation has been filled, we will inform you of this. We will be pleased to make a booking on your behalf through Skiworld for the train service required (subject to availability) but we cannot guarantee that it will be at the advertised supplement. Please note: We will make every effort to seat groups together, however, with the Eurostar booking system it is not possible to guarantee this. Seating may be allocated in different carriages and different areas of the carriage. This is beyond our control. Seat allocations will be confirmed on your tickets.

DATES OF OPERATION OF TRAIN SERVICES

Dover ferry/Snowtrain: Every Friday from Dover 26.12.07 to 26.03.08. Check-in time at Dover is from 15.00hrs until 16.00hrs.

Eurostar via Paris/Snowtrain: Every Friday from Waterloo 23.12.07 to 22.04.08. Minimum check-in time 30 mins before departure (at Waterloo). There will be a change of platform in Paris.

Eurostar Direct Day: The service runs from St Pancras every Saturday between 22.12.07 and 13.04.08 and, as with our flight holidays, allows 6 full days skiing. Minimum check-in time 1 hour before departure (at St Pancras). Dates in April may be on request. You will be advised at the time of booking.

Eurostar Direct Overnight: The service runs every Friday from St Pancras between 28.12.07 and 21.03.08. Minimum check-in time 1 hour before depature (at St Pancras). Blankets and pillows are provided, although no couchettes. First class seats are available on request and the supplement will be confirmed at the time of booking. You will be advised at the time of booking. Departure from Courchevel will be in the afternoon and clients will have time for a meal in Moutiers before the train departs later that evening. This is to ensure that regardless of weather and traffic conditions clients reach their departure point in good time. If this train service is missed due to circumstances beyond our control, it is too late for clients to secure alternative means of transport to the UK that night.

The dates of operation of these services is provisional and subject to change by the carriers.

Provisional Train Timetable - Outbound
  Dover
Ferry/Snowtrain		 Eurostar via
Paris/Snowtrain		 Eurostar
Direct Day		 Eurostar Direct Overnight * Eurostar Direct Overnight **
Latest Check in time 16:00
(at Dover) 		16:39
(at Waterloo) 		08:43
(at Waterloo)		 15:39
(at Waterloo)		 19:12
(at Waterloo)
Depart 17:30 17:09 09:43 18:39 20:12
Depart Ashford n/a 17:59 10:45 19:30 21:19
Depart Calais
(Dover Route)		 21:19 19:31 n/a n/a n/a
Arrive Paris on
Eurostar		 n/a 20:59 n/a n/a n/a
Depart Paris on
Snowtrain		 n/a 23:15 n/a n/a n/a
Arr Moutiers for
Courchevel		 08:56 06:38 17:30 05:37 05:37

*   Fridays 8, 15, 20 & 27 Jan, and 10, 17 & 24 March
** Fridays 3, 10, 17 & 24 Feb, 3 & 31 March, and 7 & 14 April

Provisional Train Timetable - Return
  Dover
Ferry/Snowtrain		 Eurostar via Paris/Snowtrain Eurostar
Direct Day		 Eurostar
Direct Overnight
Depart Moutiers 19:50 20:04 10:44 23:09
Depart Chambery 21:10 21:16 n/a n/a
Arrive Paris n/a 06:30 n/a n/a
Depart Paris
on Eurostar		 n/a 09:10 n/a n/a
Arrive Ashford n/a 10:09 15:37 06:34
Arrive
Dover/Waterloo		 08:30
(Dover)		 10:58
(Waterloo)		 16:28
(Waterloo)		 07:35
(Waterloo)

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FERRY CROSSINGS

When requesting a ferry crossing please indicate your estimated arrival time in resort. We cannot guarantee that your room(s) will be ready for arrival, but we will do our utmost to ensure it is prepared as quickly as possible.

TRANSFERS

Please bear in mind that at peak times, such as Christmas, New Year and February half term, transfers often take longer due to very heavy amounts of traffic on the roads. Please also bear in mind that the cold weather may affect the WC on your coach. We aim to ensure that transfer coaches on long journeys stop for a break. Transfer times given are therefore a guide as we cannot take into account the prevailing weather or traffic conditions, the number of drop-offs (although we try to keep them to a minimum) or any other delaying factors. The vast majority of Skiworld departures leave on time, but occasionally delays occur which are beyond our control. Skiworld liase with aircraft operators and their policy is to endeavour to ensure that any delay is as short as possible. To maintain low travel prices, where necessary Skiworld share flights, transfer coaches and/or Reps with other operators. Occasionally this means an earlier or later departure.
It is important to check that your insurance covers such eventualities i.e. delayed flights or airport closure

ON ARRIVAL

For those on Skiworld transfers, check-in to accommodation will normally be on arrival in resort. Checkout is normally 9:00am. On arrival/departure day we try to provide changing/storage facilities for all clients (although this cannot be guaranteed). These may be shared with arriving/departing Snowtrain passengers with whom there may be an overlap as they normally have the added advantage of being able to ski on arrival/departure day. We ask you to be patient during this transition. If your arrival is to be late, your first evening meal will still be prepared and cooked fresh upon your arrival with the same attention to detail as always. Our staff will wait up for you as long as they can if your arrival is very late. Rooms in chalets are not normally available before 3:00pm. If you are not arriving on a Skiworld transfer it is very important that you notify us of your estimated arrival time.

ARRIVAL OF SELF-BOOKED FLIGHTS

You should book your flight to arrive on the same day as our flight programme (Saturday). Please advise us as to your expected arrival time so appropriate preparations can be made. No reductions can be given if you fail to arrive on the stated day.

SELF DRIVE REDUCTIONS

Please ask for up to the minute pricings. Note: MPVs with up to eight passengers - standard self drive reductions. Maximum reduction available equates to that offered to five passengers. Mini-vans and 4x4 recreational vehicles may carry a surcharge. Mini buses carry a surcharge of £139 per vehicle on the Eurotunnel.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS AND UNDER OCCUPANCY

Those of you who are single travellers or who wish to occupy accommodation with fewer people than the number shown on the bedroom/chalet description may feel that the cost per person of your holiday appears higher than it should be. The reason for this supplement is that our contract with the owners is based on a price per room while our holidays are sold per person, including flights and other elements. Therefore, the per person price for a single traveller includes the entire room cost. We do not make additional or excessive profits from these sales. The prices charged merely reflect the real costs to us.

EMPTY BEDS

Each chalet and each room sleeps a minimum number of people. If you would like to book the whole chalet or a room for you, or your group's exclusive use, and not use all the beds, the unused bed rate is brochure price less £160. Please note that if a single room is to be unoccupied in one of our chalets, the single supplement must be added to the empty bed charge. Please remember that if a member of your group cancels and leaves a bed unoccupied, an empty bed charge applies.

LOCAL TOURIST TAX

The local tax (Taxe de Sejour) is usually 1.00 euro per adult per night (based on season 2007/2008 prices).

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CHALETS - ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

All of our chalets are selected with care on the basis of general comfort, convenience and facilities. As they are often people's mountain homes, they cannot be compared to hotels. Occasionally beds may be against a wall, room sizes may vary and not all rooms may have lockable doors. As in your own home, from time to time things may go wrong and we do ask that you be patient as it may not always be possible to repair or replace items immediately e.g. plumbing, furniture although we will do our best to do so. Bathrobes, bed linen, bath towels and hand towels are provided in all of our chalets.

CHALET CUISINE

This consists of full breakfast, afternoon tea, cakes and/or biscuits and in the evening aperitif, canapés and a 4 course evening meal with unlimited wine throughout the evening. Special Selection chalets (currently all our chalets) offer many other extras. Chalet meals are served at a set time in the evening.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

We are happy to cater for special dietary requirements, including vegetarian/vegan meals, allergies, etc. We should be notified of these details at the time of booking and you should record these on the booking form. Please check your booking form to ensure any such requests have been recorded.

CHILDREN'S MEALS

Children under the age of 12 years will be served high tea, normally between 6pm and 6:30pm.

COTS & HIGH CHAIRS

We have a limited number of cots and high chairs available. Linen is not included for health and hygiene reasons.

CHILDREN & NANNIES

Parents need to bring powdered milk/baby-food and nappies if required and all parents should discuss with Qski any special requirements in advance of booking. For your child's comfort and convenience we recommend you bring a buggy or back pack for use in resort, children's feeder cups and/or bottles, warm winter clothing, glasses/goggles and sun block, some comfort toys/blankets and a bag or rucksack for such items. If your children have a favourite DVD / video then please feel free to bring it.

Please note that the ESF Village des Enfants is independently operated and therefore must be booked directly with the ski school and is not included in any of our prices.

Resort crèches and kindergartens comply with local regulations but we have not inspected these nor do we have any control over their running. Should you wish to make a booking this should be done with them directly.

BUNK BEDS

Please note that French law stipulates that beds at height (bunks etc) should not be used by children under 6 years.

DRINKS

In Qski chalets unlimited wine is provided with your meal and throughout the evening. In the chalets, no bar is provided so feel free to bring your own drinks. Our chalet staff will be happy to provide the mixers which are paid for locally.

SMOKING

In the interest of fire and safety regulations, our chalets are non-smoking. This is often at the request of the owner. Where this is the case we have mentioned it in the chalet description. We ask smokers to consider the wishes of their fellow guests.

SLIPPERS

We strongly recommend that you take slippers or suitable indoor footwear for use in the chalet as outdoor shoes are often not permitted indoors.

CHALET HOSTS

Our hosts regularly clean your rooms and they are there to help make your holiday run smoothly. They have been chosen for their outgoing personalities and cooking abilities.

STAFF DAY OFF

Staff in chalets have one day off a week (Wednesday). On this day, breakfast and afternoon tea will be laid out for you. For the evening we are able to recommend and book you a local restaurant earlier in the week to avoid disappointment.

ROOMS

As some of our chalets are family homes, room sizes vary and not every room will have a lock on it. Furnishing and storage space may also vary. Storage space may be limited to a small wardrobe.

KEYS

Each room in each chalet has its own key and each chalet building has a coded entrance on the front door for your security. We are unable to accept responsibility for valuables.

SATELLITE TV

Our chalets normally have an extensive choice of satellite TV channels, plus the terrestrial channels.

DVD & VIDEO MACHINES

DVD and/or video machines are supplied in all our chalets for your use.

CARS

Not all chalets have parking facilities but we are able to pre-book undercover parking on your behalf.

PARKING

Parking restrictions do apply in Courchevel. Parking may be booked in advance. Please ask for details at the time of booking.

LIFT PASSES

Generally lift passes are delivered to your chalet during breakfast, prior to the first lifts opening. If you have pre booked lift passes please present your photos and vouchers to your QSki Representative on your arrival (unless we have asked that you send this in advance).

VOUCHERS

If you have been issued with a voucher(s) for prepaid lift passes, ski and boot hire, please have these with you. Please consider them as you would currency and take good care of them. If vouchers are lost you will have to pay again. If the vouchers have not been redeemed 6 weeks after your return date we may be able to refund the amount paid, but this cannot be guaranteed.

LOST PROPERTY

Whilst we will do everything possible to locate lost property we cannot guarantee to do so or to be able to arrange for your property to be returned. If we are able to locate lost property and arrange for its return, all costs of so doing must be paid in advance. We cannot be held responsible for lost property whilst in transit to the UK howsoever this is arranged. We reserve the right to make an administration charge for the return of lost property.

SKI PACKS (EQUIPMENT HIRE, LIFT PASSES, SKI SCHOOL)

As a special service, we offer the opportunity for clients to pre-book ski packs. These are sold separately (we act as an agent for the suppliers of these services) and at an extra cost to your holiday. Please note that we aim always to offer prices significantly less than would be obtained in resort but we cannot guarantee this. All prices are subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time. Ski packs that have been booked, no cancellations, refunds or alterations can be accepted. Early or late season passes will cover the lifts that are open at that time during the season.

These £ prices are approximate indications as to the amount you may be paying in resort in Euros. Prices have been calculated on a rate of 1.50 euros to a pound. They are meant as guidelines to help you budget for your holiday. Our Resort Representatives may have negotiated even better rates for your ski packs - they will inform you of prices on arrival. Ski and boot prices are for standard equipment. Ski passes for six days and ski school for five days. Some prices may increase slightly in high season and some may reduce in low season. Please note: Children and senior citizens generally are required to produce a passport as proof of age when purchasing lift passes.

We act as the agent for all of the above services and are therefore not liable. They are sold separately and at an extra cost and are therefore not covered by the Package travel regulations. Equipment upgrades or lessons additional to those stated are payable locally. We cannot refund in case of bad weather. Suppliers' conditions apply.

SKI SCHOOL AND PEAK DATES

Please note that during peak dates such as Christmas, New Year, half term and even Easter, ski schools become fully booked. We therefore strongly advise that you book your lessons in advance on these dates. We will be happy to provide you with the necessary contact telephone numbers.

SKI LESSONS

Please see our ski school section for up to date, comprehensive information.
For beginners and those wanting to improve their technique, our resort staff will advise as to which of the ski schools is most suitable for you and they can book you a place. Off piste skiing should only be undertaken with a qualified mountain guide and all the ski schools that we use can offer advice and will help you to choose your itinerary.

APRÈS SKI

The events we offer are often dependent on weather conditions and achieving a minimum number of participants. Therefore the events offered may not always be available.

EARLY/LATE SEASON

Facilities such as lifts, shuttle bus services, saunas, ice rinks and swimming pools may not be operational at the beginning or the end of the season. This may be due to factors such as weather or the number of tourists in resort. These decisions are often made on the spot by their operators and we are not always informed. Where we do know we will do our utmost to let you know.

ALTITUDE

In the introduction to Courchevel we stipulate the height of the resort and the highest skiing to give you an idea of the snow-sure nature of our resorts and the altitude at which you may be living/skiing. Please note that some people feel the effects of altitude and drinking of water usually helps lessen the effects.

SAFETY

The safety and well being of our guests is of paramount importance to us. We continually strive to improve hygiene and safety standards in all our destinations. All our properties are obliged to meet local regulations although important to remember that even in European countries these may not match those in the UK, which are some of the highest in the world. In ski resorts particularly many buildings are made of timber, often without separate fire escapes. We strongly advise that you and your party familiarise yourselves with your accommodation, safety procedures and location of fire extinguishers.

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You must ensure that you are in possession of a full 10 year passport valid for the duration of your holiday. If you do not have a British passport please check with your own consulate or embassy regarding entry requirements for the country you are travelling to. Please note: Family passports have been abolished. Any child not already on a passport must now have their own. Children included on a passport before 5.10.98 may continue until:

  1. The child reaches 16 or
  2. The passport on which the child is included expires or
  3. The passport on which the child is included is amended or a new one issued. Visitors should make their own enquiries as individual cases differ.

If you need to apply for a passport or renew one, please do so well in advance. If you need to contact the passport agency: 0870 521 0410 (calls charged at national rate), or www.ips.gov.uk, faxback information line: 0901 4700 130.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination. You are advised to check this information on their website at www.fco.gov.uk, or on 020 7238 4503/4504.

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