Coach travel UK & Europe

Après ski & free time

Fitness & resilience

Snow record & pistes

Hotel information

Pocket money Ski clothing

Ski company and staff experiences

Operating for over 30 years Fully bonded by ABTA and ATOL A member of the federation of Tour Operators (FTO) Full member of the school travel forum (STF) Part of the TUI group of companies (financial security) 24-hour telephone assistance in the case of an emergency Exceptional safety management systems in place Individual risk assessments undertaken Comprehensive insurance system

Mr Symmons Snowsport Course Organiser Award Alpine Ski Course Leader Award Leader of (23 SWRA ski trips) Mountain Wilderness First Aid Certificate Skied in Europe / N America / N Zealand Taken over 1500 SWRA pupils skiing Resort individually risk assessed

Mr Symmons T Mrs Davison T Mr Statham T

Miss Burrough T Miss Mitchell CvS Mr Ginniff LSA

Mr Gordan PGCE Mr Will Hardy

(61 + 8 staff)

Resort Information 1

resort altitude 1860m – skiing range 1120m to 3330m – glacier skiing – 238km of skiing pistes – worlds longest 16km black run – 114 runs in total – specialised beginner area – 32% green runs – 29% blue runs – 27% red runs – 12% black runs – 42 drag lifts – 27 chairlifts – 7 gondolas – 6 cable cars – night skiing – superb snow

record – European best ski resort 2016 – on site après ski activities – medical centre in resort – 2 ½ hour transfer

Resort information 2 - Snow record

Glacier skiing - superb 2m+ snow record – beginner area & lower slopes covered with snow cannons

Resort Information 3

Club hotel 100m from centre of Alp D Huez and 150m from wagon ski lift – shopping zone traffic friendly area

Club Hotel Vallee Blanche Start of bucket ski lift

Central shopping area

Ski School meeting area

Swimming pool / ice skating

Sports Centre

Hotel Information

Ski Bound club hotel - child friendly facility – own ski storage – UK staff – student secured access – any damage to property would result in a charge being made

Start of bucket ski lift 150m

Central shopping area 100m

Secure entrance & ski storage

Departure & arrival information 1

Departure from school

12:40am for 01:00am depart (The coach will leave at this time, we will call any

student not at school but the coach does have to leave

at this time…. Not being at school would not be

covered by our insurance policy)

Flight Dep. TOM4608 Sa 04 Mar 17 07:20 London Gatwick NORTH arrives 10:05 Geneva

Flight Ret. TOM4609 Sa 11 Mar 17 11:25 Geneva arrives 12:10 London Gatwick

Departure Sa 04 Mar

SWRA

1:00am

Arrival Sa 11 Mar

SWRA

5:00pm

Airport information 1

Baggage allowances

Flight Dep. TOM4608 Sa 04 Mar 17 07:20 London Gatwick NORTH arrives 10:05 Geneva

Flight Ret. TOM4609 Sa 11 Mar 17 11:25 Geneva arrives 12:10 London Gatwick

You can check-in up to 20kg of baggage and carry 1 piece of hand baggage up to

5kg. The maximum dimensions of any piece of hand luggage are 55x40x20cm and you

must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself. within your 1 piece of hand

baggage. Excess baggage charges = £13 per

kilogram.

Hoodies worn in transit

Lanyards handed out at

airport

Staff 8:1 ratio (Check in) Group colours!

Airport information 2

Groupings

Dep. TOM4608 Sa 04 Mar 17 07:20 London Gatwick NORTH arrives 10:05 Geneva

Ret. TOM4609 Sa 11 Mar 17 11:25 Geneva arrives 12:10 London Gatwick

Each member of staff will have assigned approximately 8 pupils

Staff will hand out passport / boarding passes with secure lanyard at airport

Pupils need to keep documentation safe until we have cleared customs in Geneva.

Pupils need to stay with their group leader at the airport

Pupils will be asked security questions at check in and need sensible responses

No photography within airport Coach transport from Geneva likely to be

on 2 coaches / shared!

Carrying essential medicines and equipment

You’re allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage, including liquid dietary

foodstuffs and inhalers. You’ll need supporting documentation from a relevant

medical professional (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription). The same applies for gel packs. Airport staff might need to open the containers to

screen the liquids at the security point. You can take medical equipment with you if it’s essential for your journey. The equipment is screened separately and you

must show documentation from a qualified medical professional, such as a letter from your doctor.

• Specific medical needs will require a meeting with staff • Please ensure spare medicine and equipment is taken

Airport information 3

Dep. TOM4608 Sa 04 Mar 17 07:20 London Gatwick NORTH arrives 10:05 Geneva

Ret. TOM4609 Sa 11 Mar 17 11:25 Geneva arrives 12:10 London Gatwick

Going through Airport security efficiently to avoid delays

• Look after all travel documentation • Ensure hold luggage does not exceed 20kg and carry on luggage within baggage limitations • Be prepared for security Q’s (Have you packed your own baggage / left baggage unattended)? • Carry medical documentation for medical supplies

Going through Airport security (carry on baggage)

• Try to put all liquids with main bag (hold luggage) • No liquid item allowed over 100ml (drinks / toiletries / perfumes / gels / sun lotion) etc. • All liquids to be placed in sealed (not tied or knotted) transparent plastic bag / wallet (max 20cm/20cm) • Not allowed any more than a total of 1L of fluids within transparent pack • Have the transparent pack ready for inspection • Have any medication with supporting letters at hand • No sharp potentially dangerous items

Essential documentation

Individual passports

EHIC cards

All pupils require their “own individual passport” to travel to France in March.

We wrote to you in September asking you to bring your child’s passport together with their EHIC card to the meeting tonight.

Please ensure these are handed in tonight or by the end of this week!

Staff will require the passports to print off pupil airline barding passes

EHIC cards are used for immediate medical treatment at hospitals!

In resort medical treatment is likely to result in a £50 – 70 excess charge

Serious injuries will be covered through the medical insurance policy

Medication to be handed to staff in resort with clear instructions

Coach travel in UK and Europe

UK coach travel

European coach

travel

Possibility of 2 coaches or 1 large double decker coach Due to travelling in the very early hours of the morning there will be no DVD’s being

played or electronic devices being used. Pupils need to use this time to sleep

Staff will check that pupils are wearing safety belts prior to leaving Pupils should refrain from over drinking as the coach will not make any planned stops

on route to Gatwick Hand luggage should not be put in the hold area (drivers may not allow this)

The journey from Geneva to Alp D Huez should take about 3 hours.

Possibility that the coach might be shared! Students should go to the toilet prior to embarking coach and drink in moderation

It is not a legal requirement for some European Coach companies to have safety belts, if they are provided all pupils again will be wearing them.

Please refrain from drinking caffeine based drinks – it will make you weeeeeeeeeeee lots!

Please take travel tablets if prone to sickness!

Après Ski activities

Ice skating Swimming – 50m + consent + costume / trunks

Night skiing Climbing Indoor golf Sledging

Disco

Games night

Ice Laser

Bum boarding

Shopping (pupils will be allowed to shop in groups of at least 3 in Alp d

Huez during designated signing out times)

Consent forms 50m

Free time in Alp D Huez

Alp D Huez Shopping area

(150m)

After skiing pupils will be allowed to go shopping in Alp d Huez

Pupils must stay in at least groups of 3 Pupils will need to sign out and in with the

presence of staff member Pupils to be out for a maximum of 45 minutes

Staff will be walking around Alp d Huez Supermarkets (cheaper items)!

Ensure wallets are named Please be aware of mobile phone roaming charges Caffeine / alcohol / cigarettes / fireworks = NO

SKI time 1!

Wake up approximately 7:30am - Breakfast at 8:00am ish – Collect boots from bedroom – ensure correct clothing (lift pass, fluids, goggle, helmet etc.) – put boots on near boot room – collect your skis and poles (check

number) – meet up with group leader for final check – walk 150m to bucket lift – 7 minute lift to ski school Lesson time 9:30am for 2 hours – back at hotel for lunch for 12 noon – leave at 1:30pm for ski lesson starting at

2:00pm – 2 hour lesson – back at the hotel for 4:30pm – store skis – take helmet and boots to room – take boots off in the hotel

SKI time 2!

Pupils only allowed to ski with ESF instructors – ski groups can be up to 12 (we have paid for 2 extra instructors to bring this down to an average of 8) – pupils to ski for 4 hours per day – pupils ski for 6 full days

– instructors will dictate matters of safety – any poor behavior likely to result in not skiing (instructor & teacher decision) – piste patrols watch pupil skiing and have power to remove lift passes – ski helmets compulsory when

skiing - correct clothing to be worn at all times – eat and hydrate

SKI time 3 - awards!

Pupils undertaking GCSE PE will all be recorded digitally for their assessments. All pupils will take part in our evening award ceremony!

Energy & Hydration!

All meals provided, breakfast, lunch and evening meal!

Breakfast – for example - Porridge – cereals – muesli - croissants – pain au chocolat – bread – ham – cheese – hard boiled eggs – jams – water – orange juice – coffee – tea

Lunch – for example - Beef lasagne or (vegetable lasagne) – breads – hams – cheese – salads – tomatoes –

cucumber – carrots – beetroot salad – bean salads – water – coffee – tea

Dinner – for example – Starter (Nacho’s or tomato and mozzarella salad) – Main (Chicken curry or vegetable curry)– Pudding Apple and blackcurrant crumble with custard

Typically English style food!

Pupils must eat to maintain energy levels Dehydration more likely due to exertion and altitude (1800-3300m – very high altitude) Take regular sips of fluids when skiing at rest options / mini snickers / hand luggage etc..

Supermarket in town to buy cheaper drinks and snacks

Physical fitness and mental resilience!

Pupils will have 4 hours of skiing lessons per day (24 hours of skiing activity within 6 days)! Beginners are likely to fall over many, many times and will then need to push themselves back onto their

feet. This will put a lot of stress on their bodies. Mental resilience should not be underestimated!

It will greatly help if they can undertake some basic exercises prior to the ski trip.

Sit ups / Sumo squats star jumps etc.. – anything where the muscles are being used continuously for a period over 30 seconds will all help build up muscular endurance.

Mountain accidents and injuries

Teachers informed immediately by ESF instructors if injury to pupil Teacher goes to pupil to support and assist

Alp D Huez medical centre deals with (sprains, strains, illnesses, fractures) Member of staff to act in loco parentis during medical examinations

All staff able to contact each other via mobile phones Parents will be informed as soon as is conveniently possible (students please do not contact UK with stories)!

EHIC cards carried by pupils together with insurance card if required Any serious injuries would result in ambulance or helicopter transportation to Grenoble hospital

Genuine injuries would be appreciated (40-80 Euro charge could be passed on)

Unable to Ski – pupil to stay at Hotel with

staff member – tiredness not an

option!

Hire ski clothing – snowco.co.uk through SWRA – orders will only be

taken tonight and up until Friday 20th January 2017! http://skitogshire.co.uk http://www.expeditionkithire.co.uk/index.html

Provided: Skis – ski boots – ski poles – ski helmet!

Essential: Ski Jacket - Ski Trousers - Goggles - Fleece - Sunglasses - Lip balm - Sun lotion - Gloves - Socks x 3 - Hat - Thermals if jacket & trousers are just wind and water proof. + Leisure wear for 6 days plus travelling. + Footwear for alpine environment (Gripped)! + Swimming costume or trunks (you will not be allowed into the pool with beach shorts!) + Towel for hotel and swimming

RISK ASSESSMENT & INSURANCE

Risk Assessment undertaken prior to trip going out: Please request a copy from: kerry.symmons@swracademy.org if required. A copy can be seen tonight if needed!

All students covered by Insurance – the link below will lead to a full copy of the insurance document: http://www.skibound.co.uk/sites/default/files/ugc/SkiBound%2016.17.pdf Pre-known medical conditions which result in cancellation

are unlikely to be covered within the insurance – any changes need to be disclosed

Pocket Money £$£$£$

Euro’s are required in France

Pupils usually take between 70 – 120 Euro’s.

A school Bank is in operation each day.

Pupils must hand their Euros to Mr Statham in a sealed envelope with their

name and quantity of Euros clearly labeled by:

Wednesday 1st March 2017

Please make sure your child has mainly 10 Euro notes

FINAL LETETR & FINAL QUESTIONS?

POWERPOINT WILL BE PUT ONTO SCHOOL WEBSITE PLUS

ANY CHANGES WILL BE POSTED ON THE SCHOOL

WEBSITE PLEASE CHECK!