Essential Information
BOOKING
INSURANCE
For important insurance documents, please click on the downloads below:
Insurance policy
Key Facts
Organiser Letter
COACHES
Coach travel offers the convenience of door to door transport, easier group management and includes the use of the coach throughout your stay, allowing more flexibility and easy access to evening entertainment venues (subject to drivers hours). Plus all groups filling a coach with 42 full paying passengers qualify for an extra free place.
All SkiClass coach tours are operated by Classic Coaches. Classic Coaches hold Coach Marque accreditation and are members of the Guild of British Coach Operations. Therefore ensuring all of our groups are provided with high quality coaches and excellent service.
All coaches (not feeder coaches) are designed for continental travel and have two highly qualified drivers and seatbelts, most are fitted with WC, TV, DVD/Video and stereo. Some coaches may have extra facilities such as reclining seats, fridge and drinks machine.
PARTY SIZE
We generally use 49 seater coaches and groups would require a minimum number of 40 full paying passengers to have exclusive use of the vehicle at no extra charge. It is sometimes possible to request larger coaches, however these would be based on a minimum of 60 full paying passengers and are subject
to availability.
All coach groups are based on a minimum of 40 full paying passengers with a 1:8 free place ratio. For groups of 42 full paying passengers an extra free place is given to make a 1:7 free place ratio, 6 free places.
For groups of less than 40 paying passengers a small party supplement of £130 per empty seat will be payable. For groups of 60 paying passengers a 1:8 free place ratio will apply. For groups of less than 60 full paying passengers a supplement of £140 per empty seat will apply.
CHANNEL CROSSING
SkiClass usually use the main short-sea ferry operators - P&O or Sea France. Alternatively groups could travel via the Eurotunnel for a small supplement. We aim to provide crossing times as requested, however this can not be guaranteed, particularly on peak dates.
A typical coach itinerary
Day 1 (usually Fri or Sat) Departure from school for channel crossing & overnight journey.
Day 2 Breakfast & lunch en route (not incl). Afternoon / Evening arrival in resort. First meal included is dinner. Ski fit to take place (if time allows).
Days 3-8 Six day ski course.
Day 8 Departure after full day skiing and evening meal.
Day 9 (Usually Sat or Sun) Arrive back at school (pm).
FLIGHTS
SkiClass uses only well known and reliable airlines and we refer to the EU airline blacklist. We use a chartered flight programme including Thomson Airways, Monarch and Brittania. Scheduled flight operators include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Easyjet, Bulgaria Air, Air Canada, Virgin and US Airways. Other airlines may be substituted where necessary.
Prices are based on flights from a London airport, but we are happy to provide a tailor made quotation for other regional airports.
We aim to provide the most convenient flight times for our groups. However as airlines do not publish times until nearer the date we cannot guarantee a flight time or route. We will notify you of your flight details approximately 4 weeks before your travel date.
We recommend that you allow 2-3 hours before your flight check-in. However, please also check with the airline before the departure date as advice and regulations may change due to increased security arrangements. The school to airport return transfer is included in the Gold air package only. For those schools not on the Gold package that require a return coach transfer from the school to the airport please contact your sales representative for a quotation.
We require a full names list, including initial, first, middle and last name in order to secure flight seats at the time of confirming your booking. It is the party leaders responsibility to ensure that ALL names are given in full as they appear on the passport. Any amendments or cancellations will incur additional charges imposed by the airline.
LUGGAGE
Luggage space on coaches is often limited, particularly on double deckers. Please ensure that group members bring one piece of soft-sided luggage. We will not accept responsibility for luggage which exceeds the capacity of the hold. For groups travelling by air you will be notified of your baggage allowance, which often varies from airline to airline. Ski/Snowboard carriage varies between airlines and it is advisable to contact your tour administrator as to the regulations stipulated by your particular carrier.
Please note that many overseas transfer coaches and buses, especially in the USA and Canada, are not fitted with seat belts. This also includes the yellow ‘Bart Simpson’ school buses and resort shuttle buses.
RESORT INFORMATION
Our resorts have been carefully chosen to reflect our customers’ needs. Our knowledgable sales team will be able to suggest a suitable resort to meet your needs. We have provided a summary and rating for each resort. The criteria for this rating is based upon:
Beginners
- Suitability of slopes, selection of green and blue runs and the standard of ski school.
Intermediates
- Selection of blue and red runs, suitability of pistes in order to progress techniques and the standard of ski school.
Advanced
- Varied terrain, selection of red and black runs, and size of total ski area.
SKI SCHOOL
All ski lessons are delivered by British Association of Snowsports Instructors qualified (BASI III) or local instructors with the equivalent national instructor qualification and a good level of English language. We impose certain safety guidelines on all ski schools covering aspects such as the meeting and return of all groups to the teacher in charge. The standard class size is 12 for skiing and 8 for snowboarding. Wherever possible we do not mix schools within groups, however this is not always possible. We will communicate your requirements and requests for lesson times to the ski schools, however we cannot guarantee that all requests are met in full.
Our Silver European ski course prices include 4 hours instruction for six days or if you opt for a Gold package your group will receive 5 hours instruction for six days. If a 2 hour per day package is required in Europe, please note that the group may be split over the morning and afternoon.
In USA and Canada instruction is for 4 hours for 5 days based on the Silver package or 5 hours based on our Gold package, except Copper and Winter Park where it is 5 hours for 5 days and Heavenly, where it is 5 hours of tuition with 1 hour’s lunchtime supervision for 5 days.
It should be noted that the same amount of tuition must be booked for the entire group, and lesson times are strictly at the discretion of the ski school.
Please note that children under 7 years of age cannot be accepted for ski school arrangements in our European resorts, and under 8 years of age in the USA and Canada. If parents wish their under 7/8’s to join kindergarten classes this must be at their own expense and should be paid in resort. Please also note, that unless specifically agreed, that ski tuition is not included for adults (paying or supervisory) on any of our European or USA/Canada tours.
SNOWBOARDING
Our snowboard instruction includes hire of board, bindings and soft boots for 6 days. Party Leaders and accompanying adults will be provided with ski equipment unless otherwise indicated. Supplements for boarding apply.
Please note that groups must be a minimum of 8 persons of the same ability or supplements for extra instructors will apply. Lessons must be for the entire stay and cannot be switched over during the week.
SKI HELMETS
From 1 January 2005 the use of helmets by those aged 13 and under was made compulsory in all Italian resorts. The ski instructors have the right to exclude children from attending lessons if they are not wearing the appropriate helmets. In other countries the authorities are currently assessing the requirements to wear helmets for school groups. Please contact the office for the most up to date information. We recognise that some of our groups may require them and if you wish to pre-book helmets for any European resort a supplement is payable. Please indicate your requirements on your final numbers form, however it should be noted that if you wish to purchase helmets in the UK the equipment must be EC approved. Helmets cannot be pre-booked for Canada or USA where local stock is very limited, it is therefore advisable to hire or purchase helmets in the UK.
SKI EQUIPMENT
Standard ski equipment is provided as a minimum by reputable ski hire suppliers in each resort.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If any part of our ‘ski package’ is not taken up (eg individuals with their own equipment or not attending lessons) we regret that no reduction can be made on the tour price.
ACCOMMODATION
All the accommodations described in this brochure show a star rating. As grading systems vary from country to country, and this and the fact that certain properties, particularly centres, chalets and some apartments, have no official grading does not necessarily reflect on the standard of comfort or the facilities.
Many of our hotels offer the option of hot lunches in place of packed lunches. These are indicated in the accommodation section with a ‘Hot Lunch’ symbol.
Equally some of our hotels are the ideal size for a full coach to have sole occupancy. These are indicated with a ‘Sole Occupancy’ symbol.
GUARANTEED ACCOMMODATION
If for any reason we are unable to provide the accommodation initially confirmed to you, we will give a choice of options of similar or better quality as soon as possible. This will be considered as a minor change and normal booking conditions will apply.
MEAL ARRANGEMENTS
SkiClass prices include full board (except USA & Canada where it is half board) and meals generally comprise of the following:
Breakfast
Continental style i.e bread, butter, jams, tea, coffee or chocolate.
Packed Lunch
2 rolls, fruit. A chocolate biscuit or small cake Hotels which offer the option of hot lunch are clearly indicated in the brochure.
Evening Meal
2 or 3 course meal. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements before departure. Your requests will be communicated to the chefs at your accommodation.
Please note that meals en-route are not included in the cost of your tour.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS
Here at SkiClass we pride ourselves on ensuring your trip runs as smoothly as possible. With this is mind to assist our groups we offer an ‘Evening Entertainment Pre-booking Service’. This enables our groups to pre-book their required entertainment prior to arrival in resort in order to avoid any problems with the availability once there. Please note that requests cannot always be guaranteed. Please enquire for full details.
FREE PLACES & FAMILY CONCESSIONS
Your package includes generous free places for accompanying adults as detailed in our SILVER & GOLD packages. In addition to these we will be happy to offer the following discounts:
1st additional adult for all European tours, SAVE UP TO 30%: Child price plus the adult supplement, plus adult lift pass supplement will pay 70% (80% by air).
1st additional adult for all USA tours, SAVE UP TO £150: Child price plus the adult supplement, plus adult lift pass supplement will receive a £150 reduction.
Extra adults on top of the first additional adult will pay the child price plus the adult supplement, plus adult lift pass supplement.
We can also offer a reduced price for Party Leader’s children:
- Europe - 50% off the child price for 2 party leaders children travelling by coach (25% reduction by air)
- North America - £150 off the child price for 2 party leaders children aged 2-16yrs
Subject to a minimum group size of 40 full paying passengers. Optional extras including lift pass supplements will be charged at full price.
