Montgenevre FAQ Frequently asked questions and answers

Montgenèvre Frequently asked questions
The office staff are always happy to help you, but are kept very busy. We have put together this page with the answers to the most frequently asked questions. We would be grateful if you would check here before e-mailing the office. Thank you.

If you fancy a smile, click here to go to our "Top 10 SFQs", (The ones that we wish we never asked and that certainly don't deserve an answer). 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. In many browsers you can click the "Edit" command at the top and select "Find (on this page).." and enter the key words you are looking for e.g. Transfers. This facility will take you through the page stopping each time the word transfers occurs. INDEX ABTA & ATOL Accommodation Apartments 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 option. 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 Turin? Which airlines fly to Chambery? 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 -cb: Which airlines fly into Turin? A: There are several, for up-to-date information, please see our "flights news" page for details. Q -cbi: Which airlines fly into Chambery? A: There are several, for up-to-date information, please see our "flights news" page for details. Q -cc: Which flights do you offer free transfers from? A: We offer free transfers meeting flights arriving from 13 UK airports plus Dublin and Brussels. 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: Yes where possible we will arrange transfers for non-standard flights. There is of course a supplement to pay for this service. For up-to-date information, please see our "airport transfers" page for details. 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 standard 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 AirportHoppers/Flexible Breaks representative who will be carrying a AirportHoppers/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: Turin to Montgenèvre: between 1 hour 15 mins and 1 hour and 30 mins from airport to resort and vice-versa. Chambery to Montgenèvre: between 1 hour 45 mins and 2 hours and 15 mins from airport to resort and vice-versa. 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 before the flight for flights from Turin and 4 hours for flights from Chambery. 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. Although our drivers will assist you where possible to load your luggage into the transfer vehicle, for health and safety reasons, they are not permitted to lift bags heavier (or that appear to be heavier) than 20 kgs. We will always do our best, but we cannot guarantee to have room to transport skis or snowboards if you have not advised us that you are bringing them with you. click to go back to: Index or instructions ACCOMMODATION CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT Q -d1a: What time is check-in and check-out? A: Whilst we will try to have your room ready on arrival, the official check-in time is after 4.00pm and before 10:30pm. Check-out is before 10am. Passengers on a Flexible Breaks airport transfer can check in outside the official hours. If you arrive in resort under your own steam (self arrival), you will need to give us an arrival time. This should be between 08:30 and 12:00 or 16:00 to 22:30. Outside of these hours we will endeavour to have a member of staff available. There is a fee of €40 for this service, if available. THE CHALET ACCOMMODATION What is half board in the Chalet Plein Sud? Is afternoon tea provided in the chalet? Do you cater for all nights of our stay? What times are meals served? What happens for dinner the night of our arrival? (late flight) Are special diets catered for? Are children allowed in the chalet? Are there special meals for children? How far is the chalet Plein Sud from the town centre and nearest lifts? Q -db: What is half board at the chalet? A: Half board at the chalets consists of breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meal for 6 days per week. Q -dc: Is afternoon tea provided in the chalet? top of section A: Afternoon tea is available at the chalet Plein Sud. Q -dd: Do you cater each night 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 8.30am and 9.30am. If you are leaving on the Ryanair morning flights, an early snack breakfast is provided. Dinner is served all together at 8pm prompt. Q -df: What happens regarding dinner if we arrive on a late evening flight? A: Assuming your flight arrives on schedule you will be provided with a light supper. 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 at the Chalet? 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 chalet Plein Sud from the town and nearest lift? top of section A: The Chalet Plein Sud is located very close to both the town centre and the lifts and is no more than 5 minutes walk from either. click to go back to: Index or instructions APARTMENT ACCOMMODATION Where are the apartments located? Is linen provided? What equipment is in the apartments? Can we arrange to have some supplies left on arrival? Is the apartment cleaned during our stay? How do I get the keys for the apartment? We are on the evening flight can I keep my apartment until we leave? Are cots available? Q -ea: Where are the apartments located? A: The apartments Bois are located very close to the town centre, no more than 5 minutes walk and are just across the road from the Chalmettes gondola. Q -eb: Is linen provided? A: Yes, we provide sheets and towels. Additional linen can be provided during your stay at €15.00 per set. Q -ec: What else is provided at the apartment? A: All our apartments are equipped with cutlery and crockery + pans for cooking. Electric kettles and toasters are not supplied as the electricity supply is easily overloaded. Q -ed: Can we arrange to have some supplies left for us on arrival? A: Yes, we offer a ‘welcome pack’ service, which includes a selection of basic provisions to get you through your first day. Please ask for this at time of booking. Q -ee: Is the apartment cleaned during our stay? A: No, but it can be arranged on request. There will be an additional charge for this. Q -ef: How will we get the keys to our apartment? top of section A: If you are being met at the airport, the representative meeting you will have your keys and will take you to your apartment. If you are arriving independently, we will meet you with the keys on arrival. We will require a €10 refundable deposit for each set of keys provided. Q -eg: If I am on the evening flight, can I keep my apartment until I leave? A: If you want to keep your apartment until your departure, you should book it for an extra night. 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 or race 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, Equipment can be booked in resort. Guide prices ski hire 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 our price list SKI SCHOOL AND PRIVATE LESSONS Q -ga: Can I pre-book ski school or private lessons? A: Yes, email apeakskisnowboard@hotmail.com. We would strongly advise pre-booking, especially at peak times. click to go back to: Index or instructions 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: Montgenevre lift company now offer their own on-line lift pass sales, so you should book your lift passes through them: purchase Montgenèvre ski passes Q -hb: Do we need a photo for our lift passes? A: No. Q -hc: Is there a price 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 -hf: How much will my lift pass cost? A: For up-to-date information please see our Guide price list click to go back to: Index or instructions 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 resort 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 in resort. This covers you to be taken off the mountain and for immediate medical attention in resort but not for on-going treatment. 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 it expensive to eat/drink in resort? Is there a good choice of nightlife? Is the resort good for beginners? Q -ka: What is the ski area like? A: Montgenèvre is at one end of the Milky Way (Via Lattea), which is one of the largest ski areas in Europe with over 400 km of pisted run. There are 39 blue, 93 red, 32 black runs and over 88 lifts and well over 1000 snow cannons for making artificial snow. Montgenèvre and the immediate area covered by the Monts de la Lune ski pass includes neighbouring Claviere and Cesana and has 100 km of pisted runs. Q -kb: How far away is the lift system? top of section A: The apartments Bois are just across the road from the Chalmettes gondola and there are several lifts within 300m of the Chalet Plein Sud. Q -kc: Is there any queuing? A: The lift system is very extensive and our experience is that queuing is very rare. 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 many different gradients. Q -ke: Is it expensive to eat/drink in resort? A: No, there are restaurants both on and off the slopes. Prices are still very much cheaper than many other resorts. Q -kf: Is there a good choice of nightlife? A: There is a selection of bars to choose from - cosy wine bars and lively music bars. There is also a discotheque, open until late. Q -kg: Is the resort good for beginners? top of section A: Yes, There are seven green (beginner) runs which are all on the lower slopes so they can be accessed directly without going via harder blues or reds. The ski instructors in the school that we use speak English. click to go back to: Index or instructions LEISURE AND APRÈS-SKI Q -la: What is there to do for non-skiers? A: Montgenèvre has witnessed a rich and interesting history. The local tourist office provides weekly cultural visits with a guide. There is a natural ice rink, tobogganing, snow-shoe hiking (equipment can be hired locally). Montgenèvre is also in an ideal location for non-skiers to take interesting day trips (by bus or car) to other French towns e.g. the historic French market town of Briancon. There are also many lovely walks and it is easy for non-skiers to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch. Turin is within striking distance (1 hour by train from Oulx) for site seeing and shopping, as is Milan (2 hours 30 mins). There are also various après-ski activities, including helicopter trips, skidoo rides, bar crawl and quiz nights.

A: Yes where possible we will arrange transfers for non-standard flights. There is of course a supplement to pay for this service. For up-to-date information, please see our "airport transfers" page for details.