The following booking conditions form the basis of your contract with Mr & Mrs M J and Miss E Lyotier trading as Snowbizz, a partnership registered in England at 69 High Street, Maxey, Peterborough, PE6 9EE. Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations.  By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them.

These booking conditions apply to all arrangements for your holiday which we agree to make, provide or perform, as applicable, as part of your contract with us.

In these booking conditions, “you”, “your” “party” and “participants” means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date) or any of them, as the context requires.  “We”, “us” and “our” means Snowbizz Vacances Limited. References to “departure” are to the start date of the holiday arrangements we have contracted to provide.

Any reference to an EU regulation in these booking conditions should be taken to mean the UK legislation which replaces (or has replaced) that EU regulation and/or any EU regulation which continues to have effect in the UK as a result of being incorporated into UK law (in all cases referred to as ‘retained EU law’). Changes to retained EU law are likely to be made over time. Reference to any EU regulation in these booking conditions is intended to refer to the relevant retained EU law at the applicable time.

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018

The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

Therefore, you will benefit from all EU rights applying to packages. Snowbizz Vacances Limited will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole.

Additionally, as required by law, Snowbizz Vacances Limited has protection in place to refund your payments, and where transport is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in the event that it becomes insolvent.

More information on key rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

1. Making your booking

In order to make a booking you can complete a holiday request form via our website or you can call or email us with your requirements. We will provide a quote for your holiday based on your individual requirements. If you want to proceed with a booking we will require a deposit of £150 per person before we are able to confirm your holiday booking. 

The first named person on the booking will be the “party leader”. The party leader must be at least 18 when the booking is made and is responsible for making all payments due to us.  This individual must be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these booking conditions by all persons named on the booking and by their parent or guardian for all party members who are under 18 when the booking is made. By submitting a holiday request form and/or making a request to book, the party leader confirms that he or she is so authorised.  

It is a condition of our accepting your booking that you are covered by appropriate and adequate personal travel insurance which should be in effect when you make the booking.  See clause 10 on the subject of insurance.

Subject to the availability of your chosen arrangements and receipt of the applicable deposit, we will confirm your holiday by issuing a confirmation. This confirmation will be sent to the party leader.Please check this invoice carefully as soon as you receive it.  Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the confirmation or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later. We regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies (for which we are responsible) in any document within 10 days of our sending it out.  We will do our best to rectify any mistake notified to us outside these time limits but you must meet any costs involved in doing so. 

If you wish to, you may contact us by e-mail for any of the reasons mentioned in these booking conditions (for example, to request an amendment) providing you do so to sales@snowbizz.co.uk.

2. Payment

In order to confirm your chosen holiday, a deposit, which is usually £150 per person (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of departure) must be paid at the time of booking.  Full details of the applicable deposit will be given before booking.

The balance of the holiday cost must be received by us usually not less than 10 weeks prior to departure.  This date will be shown on the confirmation.  We will do our best to send you a reminder but you are responsible for ensuring that payment is made. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 9 depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled.

Payment for ski packs and childcare is required 10 weeks before departure.  

3. Your contract 

A binding contract between us comes into existence when we issue our confirmation to the party leader.

We both agree that English law (and no other) will apply to your contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us (“claim”).

We both also agree that any claim (and whether or not involving any personal injury) must be dealt with under the ABTA Arbitration scheme (if the scheme is available for the claim in question and you wish to use it – see clause 22) or by the courts of England and Wales only unless, in the case of court proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In this case, proceedings must either be brought in the courts of your home country or those of England and Wales. If proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your contract and claim governed by the law of Scotland or Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply).  You may also use the AITO dispute resolution service, see clause 22 below.

4. The cost of my holiday

Please note, changes and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday and what it includes at the time of booking. Ski packs are not included in the price of your package holiday.

We reserve the right to increase or decrease the prices of unsold holidays at any time. We also reserve the right to increase or decrease and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed.

Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease the price in the following circumstances. Price increases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge. A surcharge will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase as a direct consequence of a change in (i) the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from the cost of fuel or other power sources or (ii) the level of taxes or fees on the travel services included in the contract imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of the holiday including without limitation holidayist taxes or (iii) the exchange rates relevant to the holiday.

You will also be entitled to a price reduction where there is a decrease in our costs as a result of a decrease in the costs referred to in this paragraph which occurs between confirmation of your booking and the start of your holiday.

If any surcharge is greater than 8% of the total holiday cost , clause 10 will apply on the basis the surcharge is a significant change. You will be notified of any price increase or reduction applied in accordance with this clause together with the justification for and calculation of this not less than 20 days before departure. Where a reduction is applicable, we are entitled to deduct our administrative expenses from the refund. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the holiday cost or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the invoice, whichever is the later.

Please note that holiday arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your holiday due to contractual and other protection in place.

5. Special requests and medical conditions / disabilities / reduced mobility / allergies / special dietary requirements

If you have any special request, you should advise us in writing at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part.  Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be complied with (where it is possible to give this) if it is important to you.

Our holidays may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility. Before you make your booking, we will advise you as to whether the proposed holiday arrangements are generally suitable for someone with reduced mobility.  However, reduced mobility of course means different things to different individuals as we fully appreciate that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably. When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability.

Should you suffer from any medical condition, disability, significant reduction in mobility or significant allergy which may affect your holiday (including any which affect the booking process) or have any special requirements as a result, please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking.  In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any material change in your condition, disability or mobility occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition, disability, reduced mobility or significant allergy which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed.

If you do not give us full details about any medical condition, disability, significant reduction in mobility or significant allergy and we cannot accommodate your needs we may be forced to cancel your booking, in which cancellation charges will apply as set out in clause 9. 

We will advise our suppliers of any allergy information you provide us with. However, you must take appropriate precautions to protect yourself whilst on your holiday.  Without limitation, it is your responsibility to ensure that any food you are intending to consume does not include anything to which you are allergic at the time you order or purchase this.

6. Injury, off-piste skiing and avalanche

It is a fundamental condition of your booking that you accept the hazards involved in the sort of holidays we operate. There is a risk of injury attached to winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding.  The risk can be minimised by making sure that you are fit to ski before you travel and ensuring that you ski in a controlled fashion. 

If you wish to ski off-piste, outside ski area boundaries and/or in the backcountry, you do so at your own risk (please also see insurance clause 10 below).  Resorts do make every effort to ensure that the risk of avalanche on pisted ski areas is kept to a minimum but this risk, being a force of nature, can never be completely alleviated.  The risk of avalanche is greatly accentuated if you ski off-piste and you should always seek expert opinion that morning of the day’s avalanche risk and carry the necessary avalanche equipment with you. 

If you suffer from any pre-existing injuries that may affect your ability to ski, please consult your doctor before you travel.  If you are taking ski or snowboard tuition whilst in resort, please inform the ski school of any pre-existing injuries that may affect your ability to ski or snowboard.

7. Childcare and ski classes

All our holidays include childcare as outlined on our website www.snowbizz.co.uk/childcare and/or in your confirmation. 

If your child has additional needs we will do our best to accommodate them. You must give us full details of their needs before booking so that we can ensure that we can accommodate them.  If you do not and we cannot accommodate their needs, we will not be able to accept them into the nursery or ski school. If you chose to cancel for this reason cancellation charges will apply as set out in clause 9. 

We cannot accept a child into the nursery or ski school if they are unwell.

If any child is disruptive or if there is any suggestion of bullying we will ask you to collect them from the nursery or ski school. If we give a child one warning about bullying and this behaviour continues we will not be able accept them in any childcare setting for the remainder of the holiday. 

We cannot guarantee that a particular member of staff will always be present in the nursery or ski school, we may have to substitute staff during an emergency or if staff are unwell. 

We aim to keep ski school classes small however, in order to accommodate all abilities we may need to increase the group size at our sole discretion.

8. Changes by you

Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible.  Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such request. Where we can, an amendment fee of £100 per amendment will be payable together with any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. A change of holiday dates will normally be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and rebooking in which case cancellation charges will apply. Changes may result in the recalculation of the holiday price where, for example, the basis on which the price of the original holiday was calculated has changed. Please note that ski packs, once purchased, are not transferrable. 

You may transfer your booking or your place on the booking to someone else (introduced by you) without payment of our cancellation charges provding the request for the transfer is made in writing not less than 7 days before departure. The person(s) to whom you wish to make the transfer must also satisfy all conditions which form part of your contract with us. Requests for transfer must be accompanied by the name and other applicable details of the replacement person(s). Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers, together with an amendment fee of £100 per amendment, must be paid before the transfer can be effected. Ski packs may not be transferrable. 

As certain arrangements cannot be changed after a reservation has been made, name changes, other alterations and cancellation affecting these services are likely to incur a 100% cancellation charge and the applicable cost of rebooking the service.

9. Cancellation by you

You may cancel your confirmed booking at any time before departure. You may also transfer your booking as referred to in clause 8. If you want to cancel your booking after we have confirmed it, you must do so by e-mail or by posting or hand delivering written notice of cancellation to us. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices.

If you are unwilling to travel for any reason, or you are unable to travel due to medical reasons, cancellation charges will apply. 

We will ask you to pay cancellation charges on the scale shown below based on your original booking departure date. In calculating these cancellation charges, we have taken account of possible cost savings and the generation of income from other bookings which may be able to utilise cancelled services to the extent this is likely to be achievable. Cancellation charges are calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges (which are not refundable in the event of cancellation). 

Period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us	Cancellation charge per person cancelling
71 days or more before departure	Loss of deposit
29 to 70 days before departure	50%
15 to 28 days before departure	75%
8 to 14 days before departure	85%
7 days or less before departure	100%

Please note that ski packs are non-refundable.

Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) from your travel insurer. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned after you have paid the applicable cancellation charge to us.

Where any cancellation reduces the number of full paying party members below the number on which the price and/or any concessions agreed for your booking were based, we will recalculate these items and re-invoice you accordingly.

We will not make any refunds in respect of any unused element of your holiday, including but not restricted to, accommodation, transfers, childcare, ski lessons or ski passes.

10. Insurance

It is a condition of our acceptance of your booking that you obtain appropriate travel insurance. This insurance must include cover for (i) cancellation or curtailment of your holiday as a result of circumstances outside your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons), (ii) personal accident, (iii) personal liability, (iv) medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need (v) cover for costs and liability arising from any specific activity you intend to participate in (such as skiing on and off piste). Please note, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that the travel insurance purchased is suitable for your particular needs, including without limitation, in respect of any pre-existing medical condition (which must be disclosed to the insurer prior to purchasing the policy.)

Please be aware that any advice against non-essential international travel issued by your home country may have an impact on your travel insurance. You must check the policy terms prior to purchasing your insurance.

Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.  It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. 

11. Changes and cancellation by us

(1) Changes to confirmed bookings sometimes have to be made and we reserve the right to do so in accordance with this clause 11. Most changes will be insignificant and we have the right to make these. Where an insignificant change is made before departure, we will notify you in writing. No compensation is payable for insignificant changes. Occasionally, before departure, we may be constrained by circumstances beyond our control to make a significant alteration to any of the main characteristics of the travel services which form part of your confirmed booking or to any special requirements which we have accepted as referred to in clause 5. Where we have to do so, clauses 11(4) and 11(5) will apply.

(2) All alterations which are not significant will be treated as insignificant changes. A change of accommodation to one in a similar location with similar facilities, of nanny or childcare professional, ski instructor, transfer or transfer time will all be treated as insignificant changes. 

(3) Covid-19 and the action being taken to manage its effects (including face masks/coverings and health passes / vaccination certificates) may have an impact on holiday arrangements for a considerable period of time. Measures may be re-introduced or changed with little or no prior notice. Greater flexibility may therefore be required for the foreseeable future which we would ask you to bear in mind at all times, both before and after departure. Any impact which covid-19 related measures has on your holiday will not constitute a significant alteration to your contracted arrangements and will not entitle you to cancel without payment of the applicable cancellation charges as a result.

(4) In the event we have to significantly alter any of the main characteristics of your confirmed arrangements or accepted special requirements, we will provide you with the following information in writing as soon as possible: (i) the proposed alteration and any impact this has on the price; (ii) in the event that you do not wish to accept the alteration, details of any alternative holiday arrangements we are able to offer (including the applicable price); (iii) your entitlement to cancel your booking and receive a full refund if you do not want to accept the alteration or any alternative holiday arrangements offered; and (iv) the period within which you must inform us of your decision and what will happen if you don’t do so.

(5) If you choose to cancel your booking in accordance with clause 11(4), we will refund all payments you have made to us within 14 days of the date the cancellation takes effect and terminates your contract (which is usually the date we send you a cancellation invoice following receipt of your written cancellation notification). If we don’t hear from you with your decision within the specified period (having provided you with the above mentioned information for a second time), we will cancel your booking and refund all payments made to us within 14 days of the effective date of cancellation (see above). No compensation will be payable or other liability accepted where a change results from unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 12).

(6) Occasionally, it may be necessary to cancel a confirmed booking. We have the right to terminate your contract in the event we are prevented from performing your contracted holiday arrangements as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 12) and we notify you of this as soon as reasonably possible. Where we have to cancel your booking in these circumstances, we will refund all monies you have paid to us within 14 days of the effective date of cancellation (see clause 11(5)) but will have no further or other liability to you including in respect of compensation or any costs or expenses you incur or have incurred as a result. We will of course endeavour to offer you alternative holiday arrangements where possible which you may choose to book (at the applicable price) in place of those cancelled. We also have the right to cancel if you fail to make payment in accordance with the terms of your contract in which case clause 9 will apply.

(7) Please note, a full refund entitlement only arises where we are prevented from performing your contracted arrangements as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances in accordance with clause 11(6) and we exercise our right to cancel as a result. Without limitation, you will not be entitled to a full refund and cancellation charges are likely to apply where such circumstances affect your ability to travel on holiday rather than our ability to perform or provide the contracted arrangements. This may be the case, for example, where measures applied by the UK or any other government or public authorities (such as locally applicable restrictions) mean you are unable to leave your home/local area and/or travel to or gain entry into the country(ies) where your holiday is due to take place. The issue of advice or recommendations against travel by public authorities (such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) does not automatically mean we are prevented from performing your holiday arrangements but may instead affect your ability to travel. Any obligation to quarantine or self-isolate on your return to your country of residence does not affect our ability to provide your holiday and will not entitle you to cancel without paying our usual cancellation charges.

(8) In the event that unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see clause 12) occur in the place of destination of your holiday or its immediate vicinity and significantly affect the performance of the contracted arrangements or the carriage of passengers to that destination, you will be entitled to cancel prior to departure without payment of cancellation charges and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any previously incurred cancellation or amendment charges). Where applicable, you must notify us of your wish to cancel for this reason in writing. Providing we are in agreement that you are entitled to do so in accordance with this clause, we will send you a cancellation invoice to confirm the cancellation. Any refund then due will be paid in accordance with clause 11(6) above. We will notify you as soon as practicable should this situation occur. You will not be entitled to any compensation. Please note, certain situations arising from or in connection with the covid-19 pandemic may constitute unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.  However, this does not mean they will entitle you to cancel and receive a full refund as set out in this clause or in regulation 12(7) of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

12. Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.  In these booking conditions, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances means a situation which is beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, flood, an outbreak of a serious illness at your holiday destination, closure, restriction or congestion of airports, other transport hubs or airspace, flight restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party and volcanic activity. Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances also include the covid-19 pandemic and its impact on travel.  When we refer to the covid-19 pandemic in these booking conditions, we mean the pandemic resulting from the illness or disease caused by the novel coronavirus which is now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and any mutations or variants of the same and/or any other coronavirus (and its mutations and variants) which is treated as part of the same pandemic and/or another pandemic however described.

13. Our Liability to you

(1) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury, or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a direct result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers).

(2) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example, loss of enjoyment or loss of possessions), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any nature or description whatsoever which results from any of the following:-

• the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected; or

• the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; or

• unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances as defined in clause 12 above.

(3) We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised by us in our brochure or on our website and we have not agreed to arrange them as part of our contract and any excursion or activities you purchase during your holiday. Please also see clause 18. In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any advertising material or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you.

(4) Except as set out in clause 13(5) or as otherwise permitted by English law, we do not limit the amount of damages you are entitled to claim in respect of personal injury or death which we or our employees have caused intentionally or negligently. For all other claims, if we are found liable to you on any basis, the maximum amount we will have to pay you is three times the total holiday cost (excluding any insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total, unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 13(6). This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday.

(5) Where any claim concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including without limitation, the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea or rail carrier to which any international convention or EU regulation applies where we have arranged that travel as part of our contract, our liability (including the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you, the types of claim and the circumstances in which damages / compensation will be payable) will be limited as if we were the carrier in question as referred to in this clause 13(5). The most we will have to pay you for that claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier concerned would have to pay you under the applicable international convention(s) or EU regulation(s). Such conventions and regulations include the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended, the Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air 1999 and for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the Regulation (EC) No 889/2002 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents, the Athens Convention relating to the carriage of passengers and their luggage by sea 1974 (as amended by the 2002 protocol), and Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents, the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims as amended by the 1996 protocol and the Convention of 1980 concerning International Travel by Rail (COTIF) as amended and Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. You may also have rights under regulation (EU) no 1177/2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway or regulation (EC) no 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. Where a carrier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or EU regulation (including where any claim is not notified and issued in accordance with the stipulated time limits), we, similarly, are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim. When making any payment, we will deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the carrier for the claim in question. Copies of the applicable international conventions and EU regulations are available from us on request. Please note that strict time limits apply for notifying loss, damage or delay of luggage to the airline or ferry / cruise operator. Any proceedings in respect of any claim (including one for personal injury or death) must be brought within 2 years of the date stipulated in the applicable convention or EU regulation .

(6) We cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any nature or description which (a) on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (b) did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers or (c) relates to any business (including without limitation, loss of self employed earnings).

14. Complaints and claims procedure

In the unlikely event you have any reason to complain or may have a basis for making a claim in respect of any aspect of your holiday arrangements, you must immediately inform our resort staff who are trained to deal with any small problem you might encounter. The issue can then be promptly investigated and, where appropriate, steps taken to resolve the situation. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our resort staff and the supplier as soon as possible. If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction within a reasonable time, you must contact us on sales@snowbizz.co.uk as soon as possible. You will be provided with contact details to enable you to do so before you go on holiday. Until we know about a complaint or problem, we cannot begin to resolve it.  Most issues can be dealt with quickly.

In the event a complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction locally and you wish to pursue the matter, you should contact us in writing with full details within 28 days of your return from the holiday.

If you fail to follow the simple procedure set out in this clause, we are unlikely to be in a position to properly investigate the matter and may have been deprived of the opportunity to remedy it during your holiday. Your right to claim any compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result.

15. Assistance whilst you are on holiday

In the event you end up in difficulty (of any sort) during your holiday, we will provide you with appropriate assistance as soon as reasonably possible including by the provision of appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance and by assisting you to make distance communications and to find alternative travel arrangements as may be applicable. Where you are in difficulty as a result of your negligence, we may charge you a reasonable fee for this assistance which will not exceed the costs we actually incur.

16. Behaviour and damage

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss you cause.  Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made direct to us or our supplier as soon as possible. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises.

We expect all guests to have consideration for other people and the environment.  If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to anyone or deliberately damage, disturb or cause distress, or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to cease all use of the holiday services including leaving any accommodation.  We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements.  No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses, costs or losses incurred as a result of the termination.

17. Conditions of suppliers

Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers.  Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions.  Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable international conventions or EU regulations (see clause 13(5)).  Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions and of the international conventions / EU regulations are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned.

18. Excursions, activities and general area information

We may provide you with information (before departure and/or when you are on holiday) about activities and excursions which are available in the area you are visiting. We have no involvement in any such activities or excursions which are not operated, supervised, controlled or endorsed in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/other third parties and/or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 13(1) of our booking conditions will not apply to them. We do not however exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees resulting in your death or personal injury.

We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or excursions or about the area you are visiting generally or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control. If you feel that any of the activities or excursions referred to in our brochure, on our website and in our other advertising material which are not part of our contract are vital to the enjoyment of your holiday, write to us immediately and we will tell you the latest known situation. If we become aware of any material alterations to area information and/or such outside activities or excursions which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book a holiday with us, we will pass on this information at the time of booking.

19. Passports, visas and health requirements

It is your responsibility to meet all applicable entry and other requirements. You must ensure that all your travel documents (physical and electronic), including your passport, visas / visa waivers, evidence of covid-19 vaccination and/or negative test, evidence of any other health related requirement and currency are in order, meet all applicable requirements and are valid for travel. All costs incurred in meeting all requirements applicable to your holiday must be paid by you. If you attempt to travel without fully complying with all requirements, you are likely to be refused boarding on your flight or other transport or entry into your destination country. We cannot accept any liability and cancellation charges will apply (as set out in clause 9) if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country, or decide not to travel, due to failure (or inability) on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation or to otherwise comply with all applicable requirements.

For travel to France, British citizens currently require a passport which is less than 10 years old on the date you enter and which is valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. A visa is not required. See www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france. During 2023, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will become effective. In order to travel to or within the Schengen Zone (which is currently 26 EU member states), all non-EU passport holders will require an electronic travel authorisation unless you need a visa. An ETIAS travel authorisation is a visa waiver and, once granted, is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. It can only be applied for online and a fee will be payable unless an exemption applies. An ETIAS travel authorisation will be required regardless of the length of your visit. If you are unable to travel on your Holiday because you have not obtained an ETIAS travel authorisation, cancellation charges will apply. For more information, see www.etiasvisa.com. Requirements may change and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure for France. You must also check entry and other official requirements for all countries to or through which you are travelling as well as any requirements applicable on your return to your home country, at the time of booking, and in good time before, and close to departure.

A British passport would usually take approximately 3 to 6 weeks to obtain but may take longer. If any participant (who is a British citizen) is 16 or over and hasn’t got or previously held a British passport, even more time needs to be allowed as the UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport. If any person on the booking is not a British citizen or holds a non British passport, you must check the applicable passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country (ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. Please ensure that you check the latest position on applying for or renewing a passport at the earliest opportunity.

Details of any compulsory health requirements applicable to your holiday, appear on the web-link below. Please note, where you are booking well in advance of departure or at a time when requirements are changing, or can be expected to change, we may not be in a position to provide you with the relevant information at the time of booking. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain details of and comply with all recommended and required vaccinations, health precautions and other health related measures in good time before departure. You must also keep up to date with the latest information. Details are available from your GP surgery, local travel clinic and the National Travel Health Network and Centre travelhealthpro.org.uk. Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination, including at short or no notice. Please therefore check with a doctor or clinic or other reliable source of information not less than 6 weeks prior to departure and also closer to departure to ensure that you are aware of and can meet the necessary requirements and have the latest information.

Existing issued EHIC (European Health Insurance Cards) remain valid until they expire even though the UK has left the EU. When your EHIC expires, or if you have not had an EHIC, you can apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) providing you are eligible for one. A GHIC provides the same cover as an EHIC. Certain individuals may also be able to apply for a UK issued EHIC after 31 December 2020. EHIC and GHIC are free to apply for. However, both EHIC and GHIC provide only limited access to healthcare whilst you are outside the UK which also varies from country to country. They also provide no cover in the event that you require medical repatriation to the UK. Neither an EHIC nor a GHIC offer comparable protection to travel insurance and are not a substitute for travel insurance. Accordingly, you must purchase appropriate travel insurance. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/.

Please be aware that there may be enhanced screening/monitoring at exit and entry points both in the UK and overseas. In order to enter France and/or return to the UK, you may be required to provide proof of the required number of covid-19 vaccinations (which may include any recommended booster(s)) and/or a negative covid-19 test result prior to being allowed to board your flight or other transport or enter the country. It is your responsibility to ensure that your covid-19 vaccination status and documentation meets the applicable local requirements in France including, without limitation, in respect of the number of vaccination doses you have received, the time interval between and since the last of these and the means by which this is to be proved. Vaccination requirements vary. Where required, covid-19 tests must be taken within a short time (which may be within 24 hours) of travel. There are strict requirements in respect of the tests and test providers which can be used and the information which must be provided for these purposes. If you are unable to travel due to a positive covid-19 test pre-departure, we will endeavour to assist in postponing or re-arranging your trip but the usual cancellation or amendment charges will be applicable.

In the event that you have not received any compulsory vaccination, you may be unable to enter France or to access certain services and may encounter other difficulties. You will not be entitled to cancel (without payment of cancellation charges) or receive any refund and we will not have any responsibility for any costs or expenses you suffer as a result in any such situation.

In certain situations and when arriving from certain countries, you may be required to self-isolate or quarantine for a set period on arrival. There may also be other entry requirements such as completion of an on-line form pre-departure, proof of travel insurance including covid-19 cover and downloading a local contact tracing app. Your previous travel history outside your home country may also impact on your ability to gain entry to your destination country.

It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all party members are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs or expenses being incurred by us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

20. Travel Advice

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and travelaware.campaign.gov.uk.

Up to date UK border control measures are available at www.gov.uk/uk-border-control.

21. Financial security and memberships

We do not sell flight inclusive packages. 

We are a member of ABTA with membership number V1411.  ABTA will financially protect your holiday by ensuring you receive a refund of the monies you have paid to us or, where you are already on holiday and your arrangements include return travel to the UK (other than flights), you are returned to the UK, in the event that your holiday cannot be provided as a result of our insolvency.  Please go to www.abta.com for a copy of the guide to ABTA’s Scheme of Financial Protection.

ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan.  We are obliged to maintain high standards of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

In the event of our insolvency we, or any appointed insolvency practitioner, may disclose your personal information to ABTA so that they can assess the status of your booking and advise you on the appropriate course of action under any scheme of financial protection.  ABTA’s Privacy Notice is at www.abta.com/privacy-notice.

You agree to accept that in the event of our insolvency ABTA may arrange for the services you have bought to continue, or for a suitable alternative to be provided at the same cost as your original booking.  You also agree to accept that in circumstances where the travel service supplier provides the services you have bought, you agree to pay any outstanding sum under your contract with us to that alternative travel service provider.  However, you also agree that in some cases the services will not be provided, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under ABTA’s Scheme of Protection (or your payment card issuer where applicable) for a refund of the monies you have paid.

For further information about ABTA, financial protection, the code of conduct and the arbitration scheme (see the “ABTA arbitration” clause 23 below), contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0500 or www.abta.com. 

We are a member of AITO, The Specialist Travel Association. All AITO members are required to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction by concentrating on three main pillars: Choice, Quality and Service – as enshrined in their Quality Charter. Every company admitted to AITO is financially assessed and bound by AITO’s own code of business practice. AITO requires that we arrange financial protection for all holidays, including accommodation-only options and tours, as well as any other arrangements. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with us.

You can access the The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 at www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents.

22. Arbitration

Disputes arising out of, or in connection with, any holiday booking made with us which cannot be amicably settled, may be referred to arbitration, if you so wish, under a special scheme arranged by ABTA and administered independently. This is a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you for costs.  The upper limit for claims is £5,000 per person and £25,000 per booking. The scheme does not apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. It can however deal with claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,500 on the amount that the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. Your request for arbitration must be received by ABTA within 18 months of the date of return from holiday. Outside this time limit, arbitration under the scheme may still be available if we agree but the ABTA code does not require such agreement. For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA mediation procedure and we have the option to agree to mediation. Further information on the code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.

If you would prefer you may use the AITO dispute resolution service which provides a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone. Full details are available on request.

23. Flights and transfers

We are not able to organise international flights for you.

It is your sole responsibility to ensure you arrive at the departure point for your transfers to and from Puy St Vincent in good time before your transfer is due to leave. If you are late the transfer will be unable to wait and you will be responsible for obtaining a private transfer and/or all costs we incur in assisting you to get to or from Puy St Vincent. No refunds will be provided in respect of any services which are unused as a result. 

Although it is rare, occasionally poor weather or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances mean that we are unable to ensure that your transfer arrives at the airport in time for your departure. We cannot accept any liability if you miss your flight. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance to cover this.

24. Safety Standards

Please note, it is the requirements and standards of the country in which any services which make up your holiday are provided which apply to those services and not those of the UK. As a general rule, these requirements and standards will not be the same as the UK and may sometimes be lower.

25. Website / advertising material accuracy

The information contained on our website and in our other advertising material is believed to be correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing or publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change.  You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. 

26. Ski Packs

Ski packs include equipment hire, lift passes and ski school. Ski packs are subject to availability. They are non-transferable and non-refundable in the event of cancellation or if any element is unused.

27. Snow

Puy St Vincent is a high altitude resort with an excellent snow record due to its well-known micro-climate. Snow cannons cover 40% of the piste to supplement the snow as required and to make sure the runs back to the resort are kept in the best possible condition. However, we can never guarantee the weather conditions or the amount of or quality of the snow or ski conditions.

If you chose to cancel your holiday because of the snow conditions cancellation charges as set out in clause 9 will apply. 

It is possible to obtain an insurance policy with a snow guarantee which you should consider obtaining.