Alpine Elements Frequently Asked Questions - Ski Holidays
Am I financially protected when I book?
What if I have a problem in Resort?
When do we get Late Deals?
Early Bird Bookings for 2011?
How can I get a Group Discount?
How can I get a Child Discount?
Are Families Welcome?
When do I need to Book?
Do we Guarantee Snow?
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?
Will I get a meal on the Flight?
How Long is the Transfer?
Check in / Check Out Times
What is included in the Catering?
Deposits & Payments
Am I financially protected?
Yes indeed! Alpine Elements is fully licensed and regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, (ATOL 6435), and ABTA. All our holidays are fully protected, so that 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.
FAQ Home
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
FAQ Home
Late Deals
Sometimes we do offer late holiday deals which emerge 1-2 weeks prior to departure. However late deals are becoming more scarce in this economic period as Tour Operators' capacities are lower. We advise clients to book well in advance to secure the best rooms and chalets, and this is especially important for groups of 6 or more. Please be aware that ski deals will not be so readily available this year and early bookers (before Oct) always get the best deals on Free Liftpass and ski hire
FAQ Home
Early Birds
Early Birds always get the best prices, free liftpasses, free ski hire and manage secure the best rooms and in the best chalets! We advise booking before September, but as soon as you can for groups of 8 or more.
FAQ Home
Will we get a Group Discount?
We offer excellent discounts for our holidays and they are aimed at small or large groups of 8 or more. You will receive up to £250 OFF per person, (in line with current promotions), AND a free liftpass if you book soon! Remember, Early Booking is essential for groups and will always get them the best deals.
Child Discounts
Children under 7 years can share a parent bedroom on a put up bed for a £100 discount. Otherwise Children age 2-14 yrs get £50 to £75 Off (p/ch)
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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!
FAQ Home
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!
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home
Arrival Airport Procedure
We do not have a representative at the UK departure airport. However all guests are met in Geneva by our company representatives on arrival and before being transferred to resort by private coach, minibus or Landrover. It is our clients’ responsibility to ensure they make their outbound flight departure from the UK and so we ask you to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. If you fail to check in on time then the airline may refuse boarding. Please inform our French office of any missed flights (+33 (0) 479 00 4445)
FAQ Home
What if no one is there to meet me on arrival?
If you arrive at Geneva airport and cannot find one of our reps (who are usually waiting to greet you in the arrivals lounge) then this may mean the coach is delayed or stuck in traffic. Please just wait in the restaurant at the end of the arrival lounge and our reps will come and find you! Our reps can be recognized by their black uniform or an Alpine Elements sign.
FAQ Home
Is there a meal on the Flight?
With any of our flights, charter or adhoc (easyjet) There is a buy on board option only, there are no complimentary meals available.
FAQ Home
How Long is the Transfer?
Chamonix 1 hour 10 mins
Morzine-Les Gets 1 hour 10 mins
Les Arcs / La Plagne 2 hrs 50 hours
Meribel / Courchevel / Val Thorens 2hours 45 mins
Tignes, Val D'isere 3hours 15 mins
Please be aware that these transfer times are a guide only and have been calculated under normal driving conditions in a minibus at 100kmph (62.5mph). Please be aware that factors such as heavy traffic, extra bus stops (for the loo & refreshment) and adverse weather conditions may lengthen transfer times. Many of our transfers are subcontracted to third party coach companies and so we cannot guarantee their prompt arrival or any shortfalls in supply.
You may check into you hotel / chalet room on your day of allocated arrival after 16.00. All chalets must be vacated by 10.00 on the day of departure. Our chalet staff have a big job to do on changeover day, which can result in unforeseen logistical problems. There may be some disarray throughout much of the day, with our staff turning the properties around for the arrival of the new clients. Properties may not be fully cleaned and fit for normal use until after 18.00. We would ask all earlier arrivals to be especially appreciative of this.
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.
FAQ Home
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.
FAQ Home