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Personal Safety
Most resorts are generally safe, but holidaymakers are advised not to walk alone at night in unlit areas or display jewellery or valuables.
Health & Safety
We promote good hygiene practices within hotels, but the hygiene standards in some foreign countries, particularly developing destinations, are generally much lower than in the UK. Care should be taken to minimise the risk of holiday sickness, especially among pregnant women, infants and the elderly.
Colder temperatures and high altitude abroad, combined with alcohol and new foods, can cause minor stomach upsets so bring remedies from home. Taking simple precautions can also help to avoid problems. Care should be taken when choosing to eat outside of the hotel. Drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks and desserts. Ensure that raw fruit and vegetables are thoroughly washed or peeled. Food should be properly cooked and served piping hot or chilled accordingly. Avoid food and buffets that have been left for long hours. Your General Practitioner can also provide up-to-date health advice and we recommend that you consult your doctor well in advance before travelling.
First for Accommodation
At Thomson Ski & Snowboarding, the well-being and safety of our customers is a priority, and we are actively seeking to raise safety and hygiene standards in all our overseas destinations. One of the joys of travelling abroad is experiencing the way of life in countries which are different. However, it’s important to remember that safety and hygiene standards in most foreign destinations differ from those we take for granted at home. Hotels, apartments, chalets and other facilities will be obliged to meet local safety regulations, but these are unlikely to match UK standards, which are among the highest in the world, even within European Community countries.
One significant difference in ski resorts is that many hotels are constructed with natural materials, including timber, often without separate fire escapes. In addition, some accommodation, in particular smaller hotels, apartments and chalets may not have automated fire detection and alarm systems. Accommodation, even in European ski resorts, may not incorporate the fire prevention and control measures recommended by the European Commission. This is a general problem, but at Thomson Ski & Snowboarding we believe that is right to tell it like it is, so that upon arrival in resort you and your family can familiarise yourselves with the arrangements in your accommodation in the unlikely event of an emergency occurring.
Information
At Thomson Ski & Snowboarding, we believe that information contributes to safety and, in addition to the details on this page, we ask all our customers to read the Essential Information booklet you will receive with your tickets, the Safety First leaflet you will receive on arrival in resort and the information displayed on your accommodation Information Board and in your hotel Information book. Customers flying with Britannia Airways should also look out for our Safety First in-flight video. In terms of customer care, this is another first for Thomson Ski & Snowboarding.
First for Raising Standards
We want your whole family to have a safe as well as relaxing and enjoyable holiday. For your peace of mind we’ve
talked with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) about safety issues. We have identified balcony and swimming pool safety and in particular the supervision of children as key areas for families on holiday in an unfamiliar environment.
First for Pools
Pool safety is an important consideration for adults and children. Very few pools will be supervised or have a life guard in attendance. Therefore, children should always be supervised by an adult and no one should swim immediately after taking either food or drink.
First for Fun in the Sun
The sun in alpine resorts can be very strong. Thomson Ski & Snowboarding has worked closely with the Department of Health to provide you with expert tips for safety in the sun. You’ll find these listed in the Safety First leaflet given to you in resort. Do make sure you take an adequate supply of any medicines needed, as prescription equivalents may not be available in your holiday area.
First for Children
Our younger customers are very important to us and we aim to keep them fully entertained at our Crèches and Arctic Rangers Clubs. Working closely with Kids’ Club Network, we have established guidelines to make sure that all clubs provide a suitable environment and operate safe procedures. Your co-operation as parents is essential and you’ll be happier knowing that your children are in safe hands.
And Lastly, Customer Aid
Thomson Ski & Snowboarding holidaymakers are required to purchase appropriate holiday insurance. It is particularly important to ensure that you have the right cover for what you want to do on your winter sports holiday. Although accidents do happen, prevention is always better than cure.
Customers are reminded that they should check with their own doctor for advice on medical requirements of the host countries.
From 1st September 2005, the E111 travel health insurance document has been replaced by the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The old style E111 will cease to be valid from 1st January 2006. Travellers who wish to use this facility must apply for the new EHIC by one of the methods stated in the T7 booklet or on the website www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or by calling 0845 606 2030 as you will need to present the EHIC card for reciprocal treatment.
Information about free and reduced-cost emergency care and medical treatment in most EU countries can be found in the leaflet T7 “Health Advice for Travellers”, which is available free from post offices, local Department of Health offices, GPs and libraries, or by calling the Health Literature Line free on 0800 555 777.
However, as this only provides limited cover, we require all our customers to have adequate holiday insurance cover. Therefore, please ensure that you have arranged sufficient alternative insurance. For treatment in any country you will need to produce your passport.
Health and Comfort While Skiing
Essential to a happy, healthy skiing holiday is a reasonable level of fitness. Your doctor can suggest exercises that will help you get in shape for the exertion of skiing. At Thomson Ski & Snowboarding, we do all we can to make sure that your holiday is a happy one. However, in some countries, the standards of safety may be different from those in the UK. Ask your travel agent or Thomson Ski & Snowboarding Team if you have any questions.
High Altitude
For customers going to high altitude resorts, it is suggested that, if relevant, you contact your GP as some customers encounter difficulties due to the high altitude of the resort. Please bear in mind that when skiing at altitude you should allow time to acclimatise physically, drink plenty of water, reduce alcohol intake and ensure that appropriate winter clothing is taken. Your doctor and suitable publications will provide further information in this regard. NB: Please note that in Austria the E111 Health Care Form is not generally accepted by doctors.
Ski Safety
Skiing is classified as a dangerous sport but the risk to yourself and others is easily minimised by following a few simple guidelines.
Choose your Resort Carefully
Mixed-ability groups in particular must remember that skiing should be safe and fun for everyone. It is important to select a resort which offers the appropriate range of skiing for your group. Do not encourage fellow skiers to venture onto slopes that are beyond their capabilities. It is also worth noting that because of their steep terrain many of the resorts favoured by experienced skiers may carry an increased risk of avalanche.
Let the Experts Guide You
A guide including essential information to help you get the most out of your skiing and a copy of the Federation Internationale du Ski (FIS) code will be sent with your tickets. Combining this with up-to-date information on arrival will help you to maximise safety both on the slopes and in the village.
Avalanche Danger
In extreme weather conditions any resort may be at risk – so never ignore warnings. Signs and flags around part or all of a piste indicate that avalanche danger is present but do not rely on these alone. Local experts are there to help so ask for advice on a daily basis. When necessary resort authorities may close some or all of the pistes – remember this is done to ensure your safety. Do not attempt to ski on runs which are closed.
Off-piste
Skiing off-piste or ski touring may carry an element of increased risk. If you are able to ski off-piste or ski tour you must have appropriate insurance and employ the services of a qualified guide. For more detailed resort information including recent snow and avalanche records the Consumer Association Which? Books - The Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide – is invaluable. Accurate and impartial, it also lists telephone numbers and websites for the tourist offices/avalanche centres throughout the Alps and North America. The FIS Ski Code is detailed in the Essential Information Book you will receive with your tickets and is also available in detail from the Ski Club of Great Britain, The White House, 57-63 Church Road, London SW19 5SB. Telephone 020 8410 2000.
Excursions/Activities
i) Heli-skiing opportunities offered in the brochure, or locally, are arranged with the best local operator. As with all adventure sports, you partake at your own risk and you will be required to sign a disclaimer prior to the activity. Please also note that if, due to adverse weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control, the heli-ski package is unavailable during your stay, our liability is limited to a full refund of the price paid.
ii) Any other excursions or hazardous activity in which you partake locally, such as tobogganing, paragliding, inner-tubing or snow-mobiling etc., are at your own risk and liability and may not be covered under the terms of your holiday insurance. Please check the details of your individual policy before participation.
Help Us to Protect the Environment
Thomson Ski & Snowboarding is committed to caring for the environment and the communities in which we operate. Already our acclaimed ‘World Aware’ programme is helping hoteliers and other overseas suppliers to formulate and maintain good working practices for the sake of a better environment. We actively encourage our staff, at home and abroad, to become involved with local issues to support environmental protection.
Naturally, we insist that the paper used in the production of this brochure has been carefully selected with due consideration for the environment. It is made from trees grown as a commercially renewable resource: so for every tree felled to make the paper, two are planted to replace it. We would appreciate it if you would spare a few minutes to consider how you can help care for the local environment when you’re abroad. Your co-operation is very important because if everyone does a little bit, we can all achieve considerable reductions in the pressures that tourism brings to ski resort areas. If you have any queries regarding information contained within this guide, please feel free to write to us at the following address: Customer Services, Thomson Ski & Snowboarding,
King’s Place, 12-42 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1JY.
Special Needs
We are happy to advise and assist elderly, special needs or disabled customers to choose a suitable holiday. However, some of the accommodation and resorts featured in this brochure may lack even the simplest facilities such as ramps for wheelchairs, lifts etc. It is therefore important that you advise us of your specific requirements before confirming your booking so that we can ensure the holiday of your choice is suitable. A comprehensive Special Needs form is available for this purpose which you should request when making your booking and return to us. Failure to advise us of your specific needs may result in the holiday being unsuitable and cause disappointment to you as well as other holidaymakers which may result in termination of the holiday arrangements, for which we would not be liable.
Special assistance at airports needs to be advised at the time of booking. A ‘Special Needs’ form will then be sent to you to complete in order that we may have all the medical details before the request can be actioned. Special meals on the flight can be requested but are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit
The Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination. You are advised to check this information on BBC2 (Ceefax) or on the Internet under the address http://www.fco.gov.uk/, or phone 0845 850 2829. Alternatively, you can contact the ABTA Information Department on 020 7307 1907 (calls charged at 50p/minute).
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
We are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Before you go overseas, check out the FCO web site at:
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.
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