INSTRUCTIONS

Q:  How do I use this page?

A:  These frequently asked questions are divided into the categories listed under INDEX.  They appear on the page in a logical order.  i.e. first section, how do I book, second how can I pay, third section, flights and transfers and so on.  You can either scroll down or click on the category in the alphabetical index below to go directly to it.  Each category is sub-divided into individual questions. You can also scroll through the questions or click the link to go directly to your question.

There are links to the "top of section" and from the top of each section there are links to come back to the "index" or to re-read these "instructions". Wherever the letters or words are in grey and underlined, just click on the word to go to that information. If letters or words are in black and underlined, it means that you have already visited that link.

ABTA & ATOL
Accommodation Chalets & Hotels
Accommodation - check-in and check-out times
Activities for non skiers
Après-ski
Booking your holiday or short break
Equipment
Guiding
Insurance
Lift passes
Paying for your holiday
Ski school and lessons
Resort information
Travel information
 

ABTA & ATOL

Q: Is Flexible Breaks ABTA or ATOL registered?

A:  No.  Flexible Breaks SA is a Swiss company so ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) is not applicable, and as we do not organise fights, neither is ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence).  However because our on-line payment centre only accepts credit cards and not debit cards, all our customers automatically enjoy the obligatory protection offered by their credit card company under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

BOOKING   

Q -aa:  How do I book a holiday or short break?

A:  Please click this link to go to the page entitled "How to book"

PAYMENT   

Q -ba:  How do I pay?

A:  Payment is made by credit card in Euro.  Full payment details will be emailed along with your booking form.

click to go back to: index or instructions

Q -bb:  Which credit cards do you accept?

A:  We accept Visa and MasterCard.  There is no online credit card charge, however in resort credit card payments carry a 3% handling fee.

FLIGHTS and TRANSFERS    see also Ryanair FAQ

Can we book our flights with you?
Which airlines fly to Chambery or Grenoble?
For which flights are there free transfers?
Can we book non-standard transfers?
If we do not use the free transfers, is there a reduction in cost?
Who will I meet at the airport and where?
How long will the transfer take?
What time do we have to leave the resort for our homeward flight?
What time do we need to check out of our room?
Are child seats provided in the transfer vehicles? 
Is there any restriction  on the baggage we can bring?

Q -ca:  Can I book my flights with you?

A:  No.  Our keyword is "flexible" so we do not have any chartered seats.  We are continually monitoring the situation, but it is far more cost effective for our customers to take advantage of the frequent excellent special offers available from many low-cost airlines e.g. Ryanair.

Q -cbi:  Which airlines fly into Chambery or Grenoble?

Q -cc:  Which flights do you offer free transfers from?   

A:  For up-to-date information, please see our "airport transfers" page for details.

Q -cd:  Can we book transfers that do not coincide with these times?    top of section

A: Flexible Breaks can help to arrange private transfers to collect you from other flights or airports.

Q -ce:  If  we make our own way to resort and do not take advantage of the airport transfer do we get a reduction on the price of our holiday?

A:  No, as the transfer is free of charge we cannot make any refunds if it is not used.

Q -cf:  How will I know who to meet at the airport?   

A:  You will be met from your flight by a AirportHopper/Flexible Breaks representative who will be carrying a AirportHopper/Flexible Breaks sign. They will be standing in the arrivals hall as you leave the baggage reclaim area.  If there is a choice as you enter the arrivals hall, they will be to your left. Your driver will allow 30 minutes after your flight is due to land to allow time for immigration procedure and baggage reclaim. If you do happen to get through quicker don't panic just wait in the designated area and watch for the Flexible Breaks board at the correct time.

Q -cg:  How long is the journey from the airport?    top of section

A:  Journey times assuming there are no hold ups such as heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions.  Chambery to Meribel is between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 mins from airport to resort and vice-versa.  Grenoble is about 30 minutes longer.

Q -ch:  What time do we leave resort for the flight?   

A:    Most airlines have a check-in policy, which requires that you be at the airport 2 hours before the flight.  This means that normally we leave the resort approx. 3½ hours for flights from Chambery and 4 hours for Grenoble.  Departure times will be posted on the notice board in your accommodation.  It will be your responsibility to check that these are correct for your flights.

Q -ci:  What time do we have to be out of our room on the day of departure?

A:    In line with most holiday accommodation, check-out time is 10.00 am as the room will need to be prepared for the new arrivals.  If you want to keep your room until your departure, you should book it for an extra night.

Q -cj:  Do you have child seats in the transfer vehicles?    top of section

A:  No. If you require a child seat, please arrange to bring one with you.

Q -ck: Is there any limit on the baggage we can bring?

A:  Yes. Most airlines have a weight limit for the free baggage allowance and ski carriage.  Above that permitted limit they are entitled to make a charge.   For the transfer you must let us know how many ski or snowboard bags your group will be bringing.  Flexible Breaks does not charge for their carriage.  There is a space on the booking form for you to advise us of this. 

Some of the new range of large snowboard bags that are about 2 metres long, with wheels at one end may not fit inside some of our vehicles and may need to be transported on luggage racks outside the vehicle. In bad weather this may mean that they will get wet and or dirty from road spray.  If you intend to use this kind of luggage please make sure that you bring adequate protection for your bags.

click to go back to: index or instructions
 

ACCOMMODATION CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT

ACCOMMODATION CHALETS AND HOTELS

What is half board?
What is half board in the hotels?
Is afternoon tea provided in the chalet?
Do you cater for all days of our stay?
What times are meals served?
Are special diets catered for?
Are children allowed in the chalet?
Are there special meals for children?
How far is the chalet from the town centre and nearest lifts?

Q -da:  What is half board?   

A:  Half board consists of breakfast and evening meal.

Q -db:  What is half board in the chalets?   

A:  Chalet breakfast consists of self service cold buffet with cereals, ham, cheese, jams, tea, coffee and orange juice.  Dinner consists of 3 courses with wine.

Q -dc:  Is afternoon tea provided in the chalets?    top of section

A:  Yes we provide afternoon tea but only on request.

Q -dd:  Do you cater each day of our stay?

A:  We cater 6 days per week. There is one Chalet day off per week when a buffet breakfast will be left out for you. Afternoon tea and dinner will not be served on this day. See individual chalet pages for more information.

Q -de:  What times are meals served?   

A:  Breakfast is served between 08:30 and 09:30 and dinner at 20:00.

Q -dg:  Do you cater for special diets?    top of section

A:  Yes, we do within reason, but only if mentioned at time of booking.

Q -dh:  Do you allow children in chalets and hotels?

A:  Yes, we allow children but for consideration to other guests we expect them to be well behaved and they must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Q -di:  Do you provide special meals for children?

A:  No.

Q -dj:  How far is the accommodation from the town?    top of section

A:  All accommodation is very close to the town, please refer to our maps page for exact location.

Q -eh:  Can you provide a cot?    top of section

A:  Cots must be requested at time of booking and will be provided if available.   We cannot guarantee that cots will meet British Safety Standards. The decision to use a cot is solely at the discretion of the parents. The inclusion of a cot may restrict room space. Cot linen is not usually provided.

click to go back to: index or instructions

EQUIPMENT

Can we hire clothing in resort?
Can we pre-book ski and boot hire?
What are carving skis?
What are top carving skis?
Will my hire skis/board be insured?
How much will it cost to hire skis, snowboard and boots?

Q -fa:  Can I hire ski/boarding clothing in resort?

A:  No, but there are various companies in the UK that hire clothing.

Q -fb:  Can I book ski/board and boot hire with you?   

A:  No, You should book directly with one of the many shops in Meribel. We suggest skihigher as a good option.

Q -fc:  What are carving skis?

A:  Carving skis are the latest generation of ski which generally make turning much easier and are a great benefit to skiers at all levels. Standard carving skis recommended for beginners and superior carving skis are for intermediates.

Q -fd:  What are superior and carving skis?

A:  Superior carving skis are high performance carving skis and and race carving skis are only suitable for more experienced skiers who want to benefit from high performance equipment.

Q -fe:  If I hire my skis or board are they insured?  top of section

Sometimes damage to hire equipment is covered by your holiday insurance.  If not you may take out insurance in the ski hire shop.  This covers you for damage to equipment but not for theft. 

Q -ff:  How much does it cost to hire skis, snowboard and boots?

A:  There are various grades of equipment and it depends on how many days you need them for.  For up-to-date information please see skihigher.

SKI SCHOOL AND PRIVATE LESSONS   

Q -ga:  Can I pre-book ski school or private lessons?

A:  Yes, email meribel@magicfr.com  We would strongly advise pre-booking, especially at peak times.

LIFT PASSES   

Can we pre-book our lift passes?
Do we need photographs for lift passes?
Is there a discount for children or senior citizens?
Do beginners need a lift pass?
Can beginners get a local pass or should they get an area pass?
How much will my lift pass cost?

Q -ha:  Can we book our lift passes?

A: The Meribel lift company now offer their own on-line lift pass sales, so you should book your lift passes through them: http://www.meribel-alpina.com/achatenligne/en/

Q -hb:  Do we need a photo for our lift passes?   

A:  No.

Q -hc:  Is there a reduction for children or senior citizens?

A:  Yes, please see lift pass prices

Q -hd:  Do beginners need to buy a lift  pass?   top of section

A:  Yes,  because you will need to access the slopes with a ski lift.  This means beginners need to use the lift system from day one.

Q -he:  Do beginners need to buy a 3 Valley lift pass?

A:  No, they can just purchase a Meribel Valley pass and upgrade later if they wish to.

Q -hf:  How much will my lift pass cost?

A:  It depends on the dates and number of days. For up-to-date information please see our  price list.

SKI GUIDING   

Q -ia:  Do you offer a free ski or snowboard guiding service?

A:  Due to local regulations and for insurance reasons we are not allowed to offer "ski guiding", however many of our chalet staff are good skiers and boarders, know the area well and are working here because they love to be out on the slopes. They are delighted when they are invited to ski with you for the day.

INSURANCE   

Q -ja:  Can I book my holiday insurance through you?

A:  You can book insurance through Fogg Travel Insurance Limited.  For details click here.  Piste insurance is available for €2.50 per day. This covers you to be taken off the mountain and for immediate medical attention in resort but not for on-going treatment.  This must be booked when you order your lift pass.

THE RESORT   

What is the ski area like?
How far away is the lift system?
Is there any queuing?
Is there much off piste?
Is there a good choice of nightlife?
Is The resort good for beginners?

Q -ka:  What is the ski area like?

A:  Formed by six resorts (Courchevel, La Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Meribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens), the 3 Valleys is the largest and one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world. It has over 600 km of snow-packed runs for skiers and boarders of all abilities, with massive, sweeping slopes and tree-lined runs.

Q -kd:  Is there much off piste?

A:  Obviously this depends on snow conditions at any given time, but the area is fantastic for off piste when there is new snow, with various different gradients.

Q -kf:  Is there a good choice of nightlife?

A: Meribel has over 30 bars and 3 nightclubs, to keep you busy every night of the week. Happy hour starts straight from the slopes as early as 4pm and continues until late, with some bars staying open as late as 4am, with dancing and live music.

Q -kg:  Is the resort good for beginners?    top of section

A:  Meribel has been popular with British skiers for many years and consequently has an excellent English-speaking ski school.  There are many slopes for beginners and intermediate skiers.

LEISURE AND APRÈS-SKI   

Q -la:  What is there to do for non-skiers?

A:  Meribel has a host of activities on offer for both après ski and for the non-skiers in your party. Here are just a few ideas to whet your appetite.

There are over 25kms of scenic pedestrian trails around Meribel and Mottaret. There is also a pedestrian lift pass for those wanting to get higher or further. Many of the mountain restaurants can be accessed direct from the gondola, so non-skiers can meet up with the rest of the team for lunch etc. 

In addition there is an Olympic ice rink, a bowling alley, indoor swimming pool and well-equipped fitness centre.

Other popular activities include, snow-biking, snow shoe walking and of course shopping! There are over 35 shops (in addition to ski hire shops) to empty your wallets and entertain you.

For even more thrills, there is a sledge run, snow karting on the ice rink, ice climbing, paragliding, dog sledding and rock and ice climbing. There is also the opportunity to do scenic flights from the local airstrip, and even hot air balloon flights.