Alpine Elements Frequently Asked Questions - Ski Holidays

What does ATOL Protection Mean?
What if I have a problem in Resort?
When do we get Late Deals?
Early Bird Bookings for 2009/10?
Will we get a Discount?
Are Families Welcome?
When do I need to Book?
Do we Guarantee Snow?
Group Holidays
What is a Featured Chalet?
Ski Hire Q's?
Ski Pass Q's?
Ski Lesson Q's?
Transfers
Private Taxi Transfers
Baggage & Ski Carriage?
Flight Tickets
Departure Airports?
Departure Airport Procedure?
Arrival Airport Procedure?
Catering?
Deposits & Payments

What does ATOL Protection mean?
Alpine Elements is licensed and regulated by the CAA, (Civil Aviation Authority), ATOL number 6435. This means that all our holidays with flights are fully protected, and in the unlikely event Alpine Elements encounters financial trouble - you will get your money back. Even if we encounter financial trouble whilst you are on holiday, you will be free to enjoy the rest of your stay and return home with the minimum of hassle.
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Problems in Resort
We don’t often get complaints but we do realise that things don’t always go according to plan! Nevertheless if you have an issue, then no matter how small we would like to know about it immediately.

Please inform your chalet host or preferably the resort rep or manager. If you would like a matter to be handled in confidence or if the staff are unavailable, please contact our French office on +33 (0) 450 53 29 17 or our UK office on  +44 (0) 8700 111360.

Email is a great way to inform us of an issue – especially if you would prefer anonymity or a greater level convenience. Complaints from in resort can be sent to complaints@alpineelements.co.uk
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Late Deals
Sometimes we do offer late holiday ski deals if we have left over charter seats available (1-2 weeks prior to departure). However late deals are becoming more scarce and will be rare this season as Tour operators capacities are lower, their euro costs are higher and the demise of XL Holidays and various small airlines have squeezed demand. We advise clients to book well in advance to secure the best rooms / chalets and to be aware that ski deals will not be so available this year. In fact if you leave it too late you may miss out altogether.
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Early Birds
Early Birds always get the best deals and secure the best chalets! If you book for next year before our new brochure comes out in April 09 – we will honour our current season prices, before they go up next year. Prices next year will go up by 10-12% in line with inflation and moreover the rising costs of the Euro. Early bird deposits are just £100.
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Will we get a Discount?
We offer excellent discounts for our holidays and they are aimed at small or large groups, people that over-occupy a chalet, children and those that pre-book ski or board hire.
Child Discounts
Children under 5 years can share a parents bedroom on a put up bed for a £100 discount. Otherwise Children get good discounts of up to £50 off per child in line with our current promotions.
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Are Families Welcome?
Families are welcome in all our chalets and hotels and the welcoming atmosphere that we promote makes it easy for likeminded families to share the same accommodation and ski or eat together. Single parents with children often visit the larger chalets such as the Hotel Chamois, Chalet Neve or Chalet Alaska, and find similar parents to socialise with.
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When do we need to Book?
The quick answer is as soon as possible! Alpine Elements is a niche Tour Operator and we have a large proportion of returning clients each year. Our chalets and price-band is popular and therefore we are always 100% full. If you want to travel with us this year and you would like a choice of resort then please book at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure. Groups must consider booking 8-12 weeks prior to departure. You can of course try calling us for last minute availability – because you never know!
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Snow Guarantee?
All our resorts are chosen for their high altitudes and glacier skiing or snow-sure slopes. 90% of our resorts have the main part of their skiing above 2000 metres which in itself is total snow security!

At Alpine Elements we cannot of course guarantee the snow. However we do have a “Snow Assurance” in place which is designed to give all our guests a greater peace of mind - by showing our commitment to pulling out all stops as we endeavour to get you skiing whatever the weather!
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Group Holidays
We advise that groups book well in advance to secure the best chalets and to guarantee availability. We do offer group discounts and deals with Leader Free spaces and Free Ski Hire for 7 or more ski/board hires booked.
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What is a Featured Chalet?
Each week we run a different Featured Chalet. This is simply a chalet that will be given a limited run of deals for 7 days only - and all of our chalets will get at least one turn at being a Featured Chalet during any one ski season. Click for more.
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Ski Hire
It is advisable to pre-book ski hire to save money and get our best discounts. You will also save time on arrival in resort and we can often fast track you to the shop. Our suppliers are trusted and the best available in resort. They will help with any after fitting service or kit changes and will not unfairly swipe your credit card for damage to skis! Click for ski hire info. To book, email your orders through to admin@alpineelements.co.uk and we will add ski or board hire to your holiday invoice.
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Liftpass
It is advisable to pre-book and pay for your liftpass in advance if you want us to bring it to the breakfast table for your first morning. Please do this at least 2 weeks prior to departure. It will mean you will save time in resort and will not have to wait in a long liftpass queue! Click for liftpass info. To book, email your orders through to admin@alpineelements.co.uk and we will add liftpasses to your holiday invoice.
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Ski Lessons
As with all Ski Extras, we advise pre booking in advance to help assure availability. Please do this at least 4 weeks prior to departure. Click for lessons info. To book, email your orders through to admin@alpineelements.co.uk and we will add lessons to your holiday invoice.
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Transfers
Our transfers are free with our package flight holidays. Remember that if you book your own flights then you will need to find a transfer. Our start at £30 each way. You could try www.a-t-s.net

Our transfer times are approximated, and transfers mostly take place on private coaches or minibuses that will take you from Geneva airport to resort and up to your chalet front door where possible. Our airport reps will show you to your transfer coach on arrival. Wait times at the airport will be limited but may extend from 0.5 to 2 hrs in case of delays to other incoming flights sharing your transfer.
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Private Taxi Transfers
Our “with flight” holidays include transfers for free. However if you would prefer the comfort of a private taxi or minibus to resort for you and your group, then we can arrange this at extra cost. Pre booking will be necessary.
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Baggage & Ski Carriage

Baggage
The weight limit is generally 20-25 kilos per person. One hold bag and one cabin bag is allowed per person. Ski boots will have to go on board as a cabin bag.

Ski/Board Carriage
Boards and Skis are extra and have to go as outsize luggage. Costs are £19 to £35 return. To book ski carriage, email your orders through to admin@alpineelements.co.uk and we will add it to your holiday invoice.
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Flight Tickets
Flight tickets are sent the Group leader’s address (on invoice) 1-2 weeks prior to departure. Easy Jet and Ryan Air is a ticket-less airline, please just take along your passports and the reference numbers we give you to the flight check-in desk to get your boarding cards.
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Departure Airports
We fly from Gatwick and Manchester as standard. However we can arrange regional departures from Luton, Liverpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Bristol.
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Departure Airport Procedure
Please check in at least 2 to 2.5 hours prior to departure. Check-in desks are open 2½ to 3 hours prior to departure in busy periods. We only have a representative at Gatwick airport for guests using our Alpine Elements charter flights.
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Arrival Airport Procedure
The bulk of our flights arrive in Geneva. On arrival,  our reps will meet you in the welcome lounge just after you pick up your baggage. They will be dressed in a black uniform with black Alpine Elements ski jackets and be clearly visible. If for some reason you cannot find our reps, then please just turn right and wait in the restaurant at the end of the Welcome hall.
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Catering
Chalet / Hotel Catering
Our chalets and Hotels serve breakfast buffets which typically consist of cereal, fruit, cheese, boiled or fried eggs, fresh bread, jam, tea, coffee & fruit juice,

Afternoon tea is served in our chalets and Chalet-Hotel Chamois (not the Bdn). It consists of fresh cakes and / or biscuits and tea, coffee is laid out on for self service.

The evening meal is served 6 nights a week, with 1 night as a staff night off where guests are free to visit the local restaurants. Arrival day/night may be a haphazard affair and possibly not the full 3 courses for late arrivals.

Our evening meals are 3 courses and home cooked, nutritious and hearty meals with lots of carbohydrates to take the edge of a skier’s appetite! We do not attempt to produce Premium or Cordon Bleu menus, just simpler dishes of well cooked, good food. Wine is included with our chalets but not our chalet-hotels or hotels.

Diet
Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated so long as group leaders give our reservation staff advance notice by email (at least 14 days prior to departure), on admin@alpineelements.co.uk.
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Deposits and Payments
Deposits for all holidays are £150 per person. Remaining balances are due 8-10 weeks prior to departure or by the date on your holiday invoice. Debit cards are charged at £2, credit cards are 3%. Cheques may be sent into us, made payable to Alpine Elements Ltd. Please mark the back of any cheques with your “A0” invoice reference number or group leader’s name.
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Book your holiday now by calling the Alpine Elements team on: 08700 111360