Booking conditions

The following Booking Conditions, together with the General Information contained on our website form the basis of your contract with Ski Trips Limited. Please read them, and any email correspondence carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations.

In these Booking Conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date). ‘We’, ‘us’ ‘our’ and ‘ourselves’ means Ski Trips Limited.

Your holiday contract

Your holiday contract is made with Ski Trips Limited. When making a booking, you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept the terms and conditions laid out out in these booking conditions.

These booking conditions form part of that contract with us, and in paying us a deposit you are agreeing to these Booking Conditions. A binding contract between us comes into existence once we confirm that your payment has been received by us.

Any changes to these Booking Conditions will only be valid if agreed by one of our company Directors.

Making your booking

To confirm a booking, the authorised party leader must confirm verbally or in writing that a booking is being placed with us. The party leader (minimum age 18 years requirement) must be authorised to act on behalf of all persons named in the booking, including any persons under 18, and is responsible for all necessary payments in relation to the booking. Children are considered to be anyone under the age of 12 years on the day of arrival, as we do not check the age of party members it is the responsibility of the lead passenger to ensure that the correct booking has been made.

A deposit or full payment (specified at time of booking) is required in order to proceed with confirming your booking with us. All bookings are subject to availability.

After your holiday has been confirmed by us, a payment confirmation will be sent to the party leader unless your departure is within 60 days. It is important that this document is checked upon receipt in order to ensure all information is correct and complete. You are required to notify us immediately should any information on your payment confirmation appear incorrect.

Payment

In order to confirm your holiday a deposit of at least 30% must be paid at the time of booking. The balance is required at the latest 12 weeks prior to departure. In most cases flights should be paid for in full at the time of booking separately with your chosen airline. For any bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. No payment will be processed until all arrangements have been confirmed with our suppliers unless otherwise agreed between both parties.

Occasionally, a higher deposit or full payment is required at the time of booking, due to our supplier’s terms (e.g. special offer airfares which require immediate ticketing). Should a higher deposit be required, this will be advised at the time of booking.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all payments are made within the due time, as we do not send payment reminders. The balance due date should be shown clearly on your booking confirmation and/or any email correspondence.

Failure to make the required payments by the required dates will be a breach of contract, and your booking will be cancelled with the loss of any payment(s). Should there be a subsequent agreement to extend the final payment due date, we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee in accordance with our cancellation policy specified below.

Deposits can be paid by bank transfer or Paypal. Any further payments including full balances must be paid by bank transfer only to our UK bank account, details of which appear on your payment schedule. We do not accept any other payment methods for further payments.

Holiday prices

The prices advertised on our website are guideline prices only and subject to availability and confirmation. Your holiday price will be advised at the time of quotation and confirmed on your confirmation invoice.

Hotels may charge additional mandatory fees payable by the guest directly at the property, including but not exclusively: resort fees, facility fees, city tax etc. Ski Trips are not responsible for payment or facilitating payment of these fees.

We reserve the right to amend your holiday price (and charge a surcharge or issue a refund) subsequent to your booking confirmation under the following circumstances:

1. Increase or decrease in transportation costs (e.g. fuel surcharge, airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes at airports or ports.
2. Increase or decrease in the price of any elements of your booking (i.e. accommodation, ski packs, or component thereof) above 8%.
3. Our costs increase or decrease as a result of any changes in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate the cost of your holiday.
4. Government imposed increases such as VAT or any government imposed taxes (such as air passenger duty).

Even in the above cases, only if the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), will we levy a surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 8% of the cost of your holiday (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us.

You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or purchase another holiday. If you do not tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday if still outstanding.

Amendments by you

Should you wish to make any amendments to your 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 requests. Any changes to your holiday made after confirmation will be considered as amendments. Where we are able to make amendments for you, an amendment fee of £70 per person will be payable together with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers (e.g. airline or hotel amendment fees). Any date changes will incur the above fees along with any difference in price.

If you wish to make any amendments after full payment has already been received, this can be considered as a cancellation and full cancellation fees will apply.

Please ensure that all passenger names and titles are checked thoroughly on your confirmation and that they match the name on the passenger’s passport (middle names aren’t required).

Cancellation by you

Should you wish to cancel your holiday after confirmation, the party leader must advise us in writing immediately. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective upon receipt once received by us in writing. As we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, the following cancellation charges will be payable.

Where the cancellation charge is shown as a percentage, this is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling excluding any amendment fees. Amendment fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation.

Cancellation period and applicable fees are outlined below:

More than 84 days before departure_____________________Deposit(s) plus any non-cancellable/changeable element

56-84 days before departure__________________________50% of booking cost or loss of deposit(s) plus any non-cancellable/changeable element, whichever is greater

0 – 56 days before departure__________________________ 100% of booking cost

The deposit is for these purposes defined as all payments made up until the time of cancellation.

The cancellation charges above have been calculated as an estimate of the losses we would incur in the event you cancelled your holiday within the stipulated time-frame (some of which may be 100%), this includes any irretrievable losses to our suppliers and a proportionate contribution per passenger to our cost of business.

It is often possible to reclaim cancellation fees through your insurance. Please check with your insurer.

An adjustment in price may be necessary should cancellation of one or more parties alter our costs for the services provided. Should one or more members of a party cancel, it may increase the per person holiday price of those still travelling and you will be liable to pay this increase.

It may be possible for you to transfer your booking to another party. An amendment fee of £70pp will apply, plus any charges levied by the supplier.

Insurance

We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential and it is a condition of your booking that you have valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.

Changes and cancellation by us

Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor such as change of accommodation or ski school, in these circumstances any price reduction will be refunded, any price increase will be free of charge.

Occasionally, we have to make a ‘significant change’. Significant changes may include but are not limited to the following:

(a) A significant change in departure location from the UK (i.e. not between airports within the same region)

(b) A change in accommodation area for the whole of, or for a significant part of your trip (such as a different island or country). A change to accommodation within the same geographic area (e.g. region) is not considered a significant change.

A significant change does not include movement to accommodation within the same geographic area, or the postponement or cancellation of excursions or sporting activities unless their value is over 33% of your total package. If excursions or sporting activities are cancelled then we will always seek first to obtain a refund from the provider. If this is not possible and they have been postponed then you will be able to transfer them to a later date. In such circumstances compensation will not be payable and no liability can be accepted.

If a significant change or cancellation is required (for example due to Coronavirus), we will tell you as soon as possible and offer the following options:

(a) Accepting the changed arrangements. Any price reduction will be refunded, any price increase will be free of charge.

(b) Purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available.

(c) Accepting a credit note to the value of the holiday at the time of travel for use within a 12 month period. This option must be accepted within 14 days of being offered

(d) A full refund

Compensation will not be payable and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned choices can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care.

No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time) or if the change made is a minor one.

Very rarely, we may be forced by “force majeure” to change or terminate your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds, pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. You should ensure you have adequate insurance cover.

Force majeure

We regret that we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss a result of “force majeure”.

In these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include problems with transportation, rescheduling or cancellation of flights, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

Credit vouchers

When a credit voucher is issued:

• Vouchers can be used towards any holiday with Ski Trips Limited booked by the date of expiry. This does not affect the arrival date.
• If we are unable to supply a holiday within the given timeframe. the date of expiry will be extended at our discretion,
• No refunds will be given if not used by the expiry date, or if only partially used.
• Vouchers can only be used by the named passenger.
• Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
• Vouchers can be used as partial payment.
• Vouchers can only be used for one booking.
• Vouchers can only be used against a booking of greater or equal value, unless previously agreed.

Our liability to you

We accept liability for ensuring that the services offered reach a reasonable standard, taking into account such factors as the cost of your package and any action you could have taken to minimise the inconvenience suffered.

We will not be liable for compensation due to your fault or the actions of someone unconnected with your holiday, or to a circumstance beyond our control, which neither we, nor our suppliers could have anticipated.

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).

For all claims which do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis the maximum amount we will have to pay you is the equivalent price (excluding 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. This maximum amount will only be payable in the event that you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday.

Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which 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 (2) which 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. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses.

This clause is intended to set out our obligations to you as a tour operator/organiser in the light of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Regulations 2018. Please note, we regret we cannot make any payment to you or any member of your party if the person concerned is not entitled to one from us under these Regulations.

Complaints and problems

In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform us or our representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question.

Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to resolve it.

Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to the UK giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. Only the party leader should write to us. For all complaints and claims which do not involve death, personal injury or illness, we regret we cannot accept liability if you fail to notify the complaint or claim entirely in accordance with this clause.

Behaviour

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions.

We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party 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 leave the accommodation or other service. 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 or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

Conditions of suppliers

All 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 (see clause 10 (4)). Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned.

We accept no liability for any activities undertaken on our recommendation but not booked by us. (e.g. activities booked locally, restaurants visited etc).

For bookings during early/late season it should be expected that not all hotels, resort facilities, restaurants, and sporting activities may be available at these times due to poor weather conditions and/or lack of support. Local suppliers reserve the right to, subject to weather and visitor numbers, to either withdraw or reduce the services provided.  In such circumstances and where possible, any pre-paid services will be refunded. However we cannot be held responsible for this and we will not be liable for any compensation.

Special requests and medical problems

If you have any special request, you must 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 always guarantee any request will be met. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing from ourselves that your request will be complied with (where it is possible for us to give this) if your request is important to you.

Confirmation that a special request has been passed on to the supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability.

We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as ‘standard’ bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests.

If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or conditions which may affect your holiday, please advise us before confirmation, in order that we can advise you on the suitability of the chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking.

If we are unable to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we must reserve the right to decline the booking or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

Passports, visas, flights and health requirements

Upon request we will endeavour to ensure that we provide the most up to date information regarding passport & visa requirements; however, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation allowing you to travel (passport, visa, permits etc).

We cannot accept any liability or offer any refunds or compensation if you or any member of your party are unable to travel, or are refused onto any transport or into any country for any reason, including: failure on your part to carry correct documentation (including vaccination certificates or proof of residency), flight cancellations or delays, or any government restrictions. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are able to enter your country of destination for the duration of your booking with us, and it is your responsibility to be at the specified location at the specified time to commence your booking with us. We can not accept liability or offer any refunds or compensation for any quarantine measures imposed at your destination or at your home country.

If you or any member of your party is not a British or EU citizen or doesn’t hold either a British or EU passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

A full British or EU passport application may take up to 6 weeks to obtain. Requirements may change and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure.

Please note: We do not sell flights and, therefore, any flights you may book are not part of your booking or contract with us. In the event that you experience any delay or other disruption to your flights, we will make reasonable efforts to rearrange the elements that you have booked with us. However, we will not be liable to you for any refunds or compensation, in the event that such elements can not be rearranged or if you otherwise miss all or part of your trip, as a result of the actions of your chosen airline.

Any health advice offered by us is purely indicative and we always strongly recommend you contact your local GP for pre-travel health advice.

It is essential that you obtain adequate health insurance before travel. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you.

Website accuracy

The information contained on our website is correct to the best of our knowledge and we always endeavour to provide up to date images and information. We do not accept liability for any errors contained on the website.

Prices advertised on our website are indicative only and are provided to guide you as to the approximate and relative costs of different holiday arrangements. A final holiday price will be provided to you as a quotation either verbally or in writing.

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.

Any excursions booked outside of those pre-booked with ourselves are undertaken at your own risk.