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Frequently Asked Questions

If, after having read through our FAQs, your question is still unanswered, please either call us on 01623 456333 or send us an email to schools@interski.co.uk.

Group Size

What is the minimum number of students I can take?

There is no minimum number and we do not charge any supplements for small groups. Groups under 10 passengers may have to travel to meet a coach, but a local pick up is available to groups of 10+. Smaller groups will usually share a coach and/or hotel with another group. However, due to resort logistics, and in the interest of ensuring your trip runs as smoothly as possible, please be aware that we reserve the right to allocate suitable alternative accommodation of equivalent value or greater, for the same resort where possible, should your final total group size be fewer than 35.

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS & OPTIONAL EXTRAS

What is the supplement for snowboarders and 'freestyle' classes?

The supplement is £40 per person and classes are subject to viable numbers.

Why is there a supplement for snowboarders?

Class sizes tend to be smaller than for skiing.

Are helmets included?

The wearing of helmets is compulsory under Italian law for anyone under the age of 18 and Interski can provide helmets via our in-house brand, Interski Rentals.

Whilst not a legal requirement, in Andorra all ski schools insist that helmets are worn.

What will my après-ski package consist of?

Your après-ski is INCLUDED in the cost of your Interski package. Events will be arranged for Monday – Thursday inclusive. All groups will enjoy a traditional pizza evening and snowsport school presentation evening with badges and certificates. A range of other activities are available (listed in the booking portal) and you will be asked to let us know of any activities in which you can’t, or don’t want to, participate.

Do we have to have insurance?

Insurance is included as part of our package and it is a condition of the booking that you have insurance in place.

Are we able to have sole occupancy of a hotel?

Depending on availability at the time of your booking and your expected group size, we have a number of hotels in which you will be able to enjoy sole occupancy and not have to share with another group. However, please note that if your group size subsequently drops, this may be affected but we will always discuss your requirements in full before recommending the best accommodation option.

We are unable to guarantee that there will not be private guests in other parts of the hotel.

Do you offer 6 day packages?

Unfortunately we are not able to offer packages with more than 5 ski days.

How much does it cost to bring additional adults?

Unlike many tour operators, we don’t charge a supplement for additional adults joining your party - they simply pay the same price as the students. It's important that they are made aware that they're travelling on a school/college ski trip, what the inclusions are and that no special arrangements (rooming, food, instruction etc) can be made on their behalf.

Managing Your Booking

What is the payment schedule?

An initial non-refundable deposit of £100pp for ski trips by coach, and an intial non-refundable deposit of £250pp for ski trips by air, is required to confirm your booking. An interim deposit of £150pp is then required 8 weeks later, regardless of mode of transport. The balance then falls due 10 weeks prior to departure.

We also encourage party leaders to collect payments from students in instalments as this helps to discourage students from withdrawing from the trip.

When is the latest I can add someone to my booking?

Subject to availability, you can add a passenger up to a week before departure. However, we will always try to accommodate all of your needs, so it's always worth giving us a call to see what we can do.

What do I need to do if someone cancels?

You should notify your Account Manager as soon as possible, but if you think there is a possibility of finding a replacement, then that’s not a problem and there is no charge to do so if you are travelling by coach. If you are travelling by air, then the applicable airline fee would apply.

Cancellation charges

Up to 10 weeks prior to departure : Deposit only is forfeited
Between 10 – 5 weeks prior to departure : 50% is forfeited
Between 5 – 1 week prior to departure : 75% is forfeited
Within 1 week of departure : 100% is forfeited

If the cancellation is for an insurable reason, then the forfeited amount can be claimed on insurance, less any applicable excess and insurance premium costs.

Special Requirements

Can you cater for special diets?

Yes, but we will require advance notification. For anyone requiring a gluten-free diet, we do suggest that they take with them supplies of suitable pasta, pizza base, bread rolls etc as they are not as readily available in Italy.

We have also produced some helpful cards which students can show at restaurants and cafés to ensure the provider understands their needs. There are both French, Italian and Spanish versions available - Allergy and Dietary cards.

Can Interski cater for students with disabilities?

Yes, we can. We would appreciate as much information as possible on the condition as it may involve our recruiting specialist adaptive instructors. 1:1 tuition can be provided (currently £995 for the week) where necessary.

Tuition

Instruction – how many hours do you offer?

As standard, we offer 6 days x 4 hours, plus lunchtime supervision, usually from 10.00 am until 3.00 pm. We may be able to offer an additional hour's instruction for a small supplement – please call for details.

To what level are your instructors qualified?

All instructors are qualified to a minimum BASI Level 2, or national equivalent. They are all English-speaking.

Are there any age restrictions when it comes to instruction?

We regret we are unable to accept children under the age of 7 into our ski school unless you have a viable, self-contained group. We can provide private 1:1 tuition for £40 an hour, or all of our resorts have kindergartens and local ski schools.

Must teachers stay in instruction groups with the children?

This is entirely down to the party leader. Teachers are welcome to join in lessons, or they may free ski. We simply ask that they are there to meet the groups at the end of lessons.

What is the average class size?

Classes vary between 8-12 students. Maximum class sizes are in line with regional law and the relevant instructor NGB guidelines.

We have students that would like to be filmed for GCSE/A Level assessments – can you do this?

Yes, this can normally be arranged, though you may have to provide your own video equipment or memory cards. Please call us for full details and let us know in advance of your trip if you would like us to make provision for this.

Coach Packages

What size coaches do you use?

Our standard coach size is 49. Occasionally, we are able to obtain coaches of 52/53 or 59 seats.

How long is the coach journey?

The Aosta Valley is one of the closest overland ski areas. It is just 10/11 hours overland from Calais. Both journeys are overnight and breakfast is included en route in each direction.

What's a typical itinerary?

Coaches depart the UK on a Saturday, catching an evening ferry from Dover to Calais. A breakfast stop (included in the cost of your package) is provided early on the Sunday morning. Groups normally arrive in resort round about lunchtime on the Sunday. A snack lunch is provided and ski fit carried out. Skiing takes place from Monday to Saturday inclusive. Rooms for showering will be made available on the final day. After an evening meal, groups will depart the valley for an early morning ferry on the Sunday (breakfast again provided) before travelling onwards to school/college.

Air Packages

Can my school group travel by air?

Of course. Packages by air include overseas transfers as well as transport in resort, if required. We will arrange flights from your region of the UK to either Turin, Milan Malpensa or Geneva.

Please note that we don't normally provide school packages by air during peak weeks – New year, February half term and Easter - due to the generally very high cost of flights on these dates. We are, of course, still able to arrange your trip by coach at these times.

Equipment

Do you offer a clothing rental service?

Our in-house brand, Interski Rentals, offers the hire of Urban Beach ski suits. We're happy to attend your parents' presentation and bring along sample suits. The suits are pre-ordered in the UK and then delivered to the hotel prior to the group's arrival. They are then collected at the end of the stay. As the clothing is stored in Italy, it's not a problem if someone has a growth spurt in the meantime!

Party Leader Benefits

What is 'Interski plus!' ?

Groups of 20+ full paying passengers who travel with Interski for 3 consecutive years qualify for Interski plus! status. They qualify for increased term-time discounts and a range of other special benefits.

Are there any benefits for recommending Interski to friends and colleagues at other schools & colleges?

We are always flattered when party leaders recommend us to others. As a small thank you, if you recommend us to another school/college, once they pay a minimum of 20 deposits to us, you will qualify for a £250 Interski voucher.

Does Interski offer any family concessions for party leaders?

Party leaders of groups of 20+ full paying passengers are entitled to take two of their own children aged 7-15 years at 50% of the price paid by the students. They may also take their spouse at 75% of the price. In addition, they are entitled to a '2 for 1' holiday from our adults and families brochure during the qualifying year.

Everything Else

Can non-UK schools travel with Interski?

Yes, we are delighted to welcome an increasing number of overseas schools to the Aosta Valley. For a standard 6 night stay, please make arrangements for your own flights and deduct £80 from our brochure prices. We’ll include transfers from Geneva or Turin (sometimes Milan) and you will also need to arrange your own insurance.

How snow-sure are Interski resorts?

All of our resorts are high and have exceptional snow records, both early and late season.

Does Interski accept youth groups from non-educational establishments?

Yes, we are delighted to accept any youth group such as scouts, girl guides etc.

Do you offer vocational courses for college groups?

Yes, we are able to offer a range of vocational talks/seminars for students of FE/HE colleges. These can range from careers within the snowsport industry, ski fitting, avalanche risks etc. Just ask if there is something you’d specifically like us to include for you.

Does Interski offer ski upgrades for party leaders to use?

Yes, we have an excellent range of ‘prestige’ Atomic skis. These can be pre-booked for only £25 per pair (free of charge for staff of Interski plus! groups). They are not available to students and are not recommended for staff who are beginners.

What accreditation does Interski have?

Interski is an ABTA member (V6114) and an ATOL holder (1409).

Halloween at Interski
Halloween at Interski
Interski Schools and Colleges

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