Ski Bluebird Booking Terms and Conditions

The following booking conditions form the basis of your contract with Ski Bluebird trading as Alpine Property Services.  205 Route du Plan, Les Moulins, 73350 BOZEL.

Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them. These booking conditions only apply to arrangements which you book with us and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to: · “booking”, “contract”, or “arrangements” mean such arrangements unless otherwise stated. · “you” and “your” means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted later) or any of them as the context requires. · “We”, “us” and “our” means Alpine Property Services. Please note, the arrangements we offer and make for you do not constitute a “package” and accordingly, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 do not apply to them.

1. Making your booking: To make a booking the first named person on you booking, the “party leader” must complete and submit a request for reservation. This will hold the accommodation for a period of 48 hours. During this time you must then pay the applicable deposit. The party leader must be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these booking conditions by all persons named on the booking and by their parent or guardian for all party members who are under 18 when the booking is made. By making a request for reservation, the party leader confirms that he/she is so authorised. The party leader is responsible for making all payments due to us. The party leader must be at least 18 when the booking is made. It is a condition of our accepting your booking that you are covered by appropriate and adequate personal travel insurance which should be in effect when you make the booking. See clause 12 on the subject of insurance. Subject to the availability of your chosen arrangements, we will confirm your booking by issuing a confirmation invoice. This invoice will be sent to the party leader. Please check this invoice carefully as soon as you receive it. Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the confirmation or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.
2. Payment In order to confirm your chosen arrangements, a deposit of 30% of the value of the booking (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of departure) must be paid at the time of booking. The balance of the booking cost must be received by us not less than 10 weeks prior to departure. This date will be shown on the confirmation invoice. If we do not receive all payments due in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 7 depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled.
3. Your contract A binding contract between us comes into existence when we despatch our confirmation invoice to the party leader. We both agree that French law (and no other) will apply to your contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us (“claim”) except as set out below.
4. The cost of your arrangements Please note, changes and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen arrangements at the time of booking. We reserve the right to increase or decrease and to correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your booking is confirmed. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking. Covid-19 and the measures taken by governments, public authorities and businesses to manage its effects is likely to have a significant effect on the price of our arrangements for a considerable period of time. Such measures may be introduced or changed with little or no prior notice. Once the price of your chosen arrangements has been confirmed at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease the price in the following circumstances. A surcharge will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase as a direct consequence of a change in (i) the cost of fuel or other power sources or (ii) the level of taxes or fees on the travel services included in the contract imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of the arrangements including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports or (iii) the exchange rates relevant to the arrangements. You will also be entitled to a price reduction where there is a decrease in our costs as a result of a decrease in the costs referred to in this paragraph which occurs between confirmation of your booking and the start of your arrangements. Presume this is a ‘standard clause’ We will absorb, and you will not be charged for, any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. You will be charged for any increase in our costs over and above that. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the total booking cost, clause 9 will apply on the basis the surcharge is a significant change. You will be notified of any price increase or reduction applied in accordance with this clause together with the justification for and calculation of this not less than 20 days before departure. Where a reduction is applicable, we are entitled to deduct our administrative expenses from the refund. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the booking cost or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the invoice, whichever is the later. Please note that arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your booking due to contractual and other protection in place. We promise not to levy a surcharge within 20 days of your arrival. No refund will be payable during this period either.
5. Special requests and medical conditions / disabilities / reduced mobility / allergies and special dietary requirements If you have any special request, you should advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier (where applicable), we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be complied with (where it is possible to give this) if it is important to you. Any special request which we have accepted will be specifically confirmed as accepted on your confirmation invoice. The arrangements we offer may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility. Before you make your booking, we will advise you as to whether the proposed arrangements are generally suitable for someone with reduced mobility. However, reduced mobility of course means different things to different individuals as we fully appreciate that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably. When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability. Should you suffer from any medical condition, disability, significant reduction in mobility or significant allergy which may affect your booking (including any which affect the booking process) or have any special requirements as a result, please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any material change in your condition, disability or mobility occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition, disability, reduced mobility or significant allergy which may affect your booking develops after your booking has been confirmed. We will advise our staff and suppliers of any allergy information you provide us with. However, you must take appropriate precautions to protect yourself whilst on holiday. Without limitation, it is your responsibility to ensure that any food you are intending to consume does not include anything to which you are allergic at the time you order or purchase this.
6. Changes by you Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed booking, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests. Where we can, an amendment fee of €60.00 per amendment will be payable together with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. A change of booking dates will normally be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and rebooking in which case cancellation charges will apply. Changes may result in the recalculation of the booking cost where, for example, the basis on which the price of the original booking was calculated has changed. You may transfer your booking or your place on the booking to someone else (introduced by you) without payment of our cancellation charges providing the request for the transfer is made in writing not less than 28 days before departure. The person(s) to whom you wish to make the transfer must also satisfy all conditions which form part of your contract with us. Requests for transfer must be accompanied by the name and other applicable details of the replacement person(s). Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers, together with an amendment fee, which will be confirmed at the time, must be paid before the transfer can be effected.
7. Cancellation by you: You may cancel your confirmed booking at any time before departure. You may also transfer your booking as referred to in clause 6 above. If you cancel your booking after it has been confirmed, you must do so by email or by posting or hand delivering written notice of cancelation to us. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. We will ask you to pay the cancelation charges on the scale shown below based on your original booking departure date. If you are unwilling to travel for any reason, or you are unable to travel due to medical reasons cancellation charges will apply. In calculating these cancellation charges, we have taken account of possible cost savings, and the generation of income from other bookings which may be able to utilise cancelled services to the extent this is likely to be achievable. Cancellation charges are calculated on the basis of the total cost payable, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges (which are not refundable in the event of cancellation). Period before departure within which written Cancellation charge notification of cancellation is received by us 71 days or more Loss of deposit, 42 to 70 days 40%, 28 to 41 days 60%, Less than 28 days 100% Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) from your travel insurer. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned. You and your party should obtain travel insurance for this cancellation risk – see section 12 Insurance. A security deposit payment of €1000 is required prior to arrival, this will be returned no more than 5 days after your departure after returning the property in the same standard. If any damages occur this will be deducted from your security deposit and if there is any remaining deposit due this will be paid within 4 weeks of departure after costs have been determined.
8. Changes and cancellation by us: We start planning the arrangements we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in advertising and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Please bear in mind that Covid-19, Brexit and the measures and other action being taken by governments, public authorities and businesses to manage their effects is likely to have an impact on holiday arrangements for a considerable period of time. We may, for example, be unable to provide certain advertised services or facilities as a result. Such measures / action may be introduced or changed with little or no prior notice. Greater flexibility is therefore likely to be required for the foreseeable future which we would ask you to bear in mind at all times, both before and after departure. Any impact which such measures / action has on your booking will not constitute a significant alteration to your contracted arrangements and will not entitle you to cancel without payment of the applicable cancellation charges as a result. In the event that your holiday cannot proceed because your accommodation is not available for any reason (except as set out below in this clause) and we are unable to provide a reasonable alternative, we will refund the payments you have made to us for your booking. We will not be responsible for any other expenses including without limitation, the cost of flights or any other form of transport. If on the date you are due to arrive at your accommodation you cannot travel to the chalet you have booked, or the chalet is closed, due to any of the following reasons linked to Covid-19, your 30% deposit will be retained by us for you to use for a new booking in the following ski season. Your balance payments will be fully refunded. · the French authorities impose regional or national restrictions which result in the closure of the French border to tourists or force the closure of your chalet. · the authorities of your home country advise against all but essential travel to France* We will not be responsible for any other expenses including without limitation, the cost of flights or any other form of transport. *If the authorities or your home country advise against all but essential travel to France but you still wish to proceed with your accommodation booking you must read and understand the relevant travel advice and all requirements which we have provided you with (see clause 18) and you must comply with the restrictions in place (for example if you are required to quarantine). We will have no liability to you arising out of your decision not to follow travel advice. Please note, a refund will only be provided where we are unable to provide your contracted accommodation in the circumstances referred to above. You will not be entitled to a refund and cancellation charges are likely to apply where you are unable to travel on holiday for any reason (other than set out above), including without limitation, an unwillingness to travel for any reason or inability to travel for medical reasons. Very rarely, we may be forced by “force majeure” (see clause 9) to change or terminate your arrangements after they have commenced but before the scheduled end of such arrangements. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.
9. Force Majeure Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation or expenses where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any situation within our reasonable contemplation, which is beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations may include, whether actual or threatened, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural disaster, exceptional adverse weather conditions, fire, the effect of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU, and all events of a similar nature. Force majeure includes the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on travel. When we refer to the Covid19 pandemic in these booking conditions, we mean the pandemic resulting from the illness or disease caused by the novel coronavirus which is now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and any mutations or variants of the same and/or any other coronavirus (and its mutations and variants) which is treated as part of the same pandemic and/or another pandemic however described.
10. Our Liability to you (1) In order to provide your arrangements, we operate self-catered accommodation on a seasonal basis which we contract from the chalet owners. We do not ourselves own the accommodation. We undertake to use our reasonable skill and care in the provision of the accommodation services where these services are provided by our employees. For all services which are provided by any person or entity other than our employees, we undertake to use our reasonable skill and care in the selection of those suppliers but, providing we have done so, are not responsible for their acts and omissions or for the actual performance of those services. (2) We operate a booking service for additional services. We are not recommending or endorsing a particular provider and we can offer you alternative provider information if required. Where we facilitate the purchase of additional services such as ski hire, ski lift passes, or ski lessons we are not liable for the acts and defaults of the third parties who provide those services, including, without limitation, transfer companies, ski hire providers or ski lift providers. Therefore, providing we have selected the agent or supplier with reasonable skill and care, we will have no liability to you for anything that happens during the provision of such arrangements or any acts or omissions of the agent or supplier or others. (3) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (including loss of enjoyment or loss of possessions), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following: – o the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or o the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your arrangements and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or o ‘force majeure’ as defined in clause 9 above (4) We do not make any representation or commitment that the services which we have contracted to provide, or facilitated the booking of, will comply with applicable local laws and standards and failure to comply does not automatically mean we have breached any of our obligations to you. (5) Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money) on any basis, the maximum amount we will have to pay you is £250.00 per person affected. Any payment is subject to your producing appropriate proof of the contents and value of the luggage or personal possessions concerned and demonstrating that you have taken proper care of your property. (6) For all other claims which do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis the maximum amount we will have to pay you is twice the price (excluding amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your booking.
11. Complaints and problems: In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your booking whilst away, you must immediately inform us and the supplier of the service(s) in question. The issue can then be promptly investigated and, where appropriate, steps taken to resolve the situation. Until we know about a complaint or problem, we cannot begin to resolve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 28 days giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. Only the party leader should write to us. For all complaints and claims which do not involve death, personal injury or illness, we regret we cannot accept liability if you fail to notify the complaint or claim entirely in accordance with this clause.
12. Insurance We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential. It is a condition of our accepting your booking that all members of your party are covered by appropriate travel insurance which must be purchased at the time of booking. This insurance must include cover for (i) cancellation or curtailment of your holiday as a result of circumstances outside your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons), (ii) personal accident, (iii) personal liability, (iv) medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need, (v) personal effects and money. If all party members have not purchased appropriate travel insurance prior to any claim, liability or loss arising which we could reasonably expect to be covered by travel insurance, we cannot accept any liability for that claim, liability or loss. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. You must give details in writing of your policy (insurer and policy number) when requested to do so.
13. Behaviour and damage: When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made as soon as possible. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure that have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises. We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the booking of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the services in question. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.
14. Conditions of suppliers: Many of the services which make up your booking are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned. 15. Excursions, activities and general area information We may provide you with information (before departure and/or when you are away) about activities and excursions which are available in the area you are visiting. We have no involvement in any such activities or excursions which are neither run, supervised, controlled nor endorsed in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/other third parties and/or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions. We do not however exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees resulting in your death or personal injury. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or excursions or about the area you are visiting generally or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control. If you feel that any of the activities or excursions referred to in our brochure, on our website and in our other advertising material which are not part of our contract are vital to the enjoyment of your booking, write to us immediately and we will tell you the latest known situation. If we become aware of any material alterations to area information and/or such outside activities or excursions which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book with us, we will pass on this information at the time of booking.
15. Passports, visas and health requirements You must check entry and other official requirements for all countries to or through which you are travelling as well as any requirements applicable on your return to your home country, at the time of booking, and in good time before, and close to departure. Requirements may change and travel restrictions may be imposed (which could be at no or very short notice prior to departure) as a result of the Covid-19 situation. You must also keep up to date with this information while you are away. British citizens currently require a passport which is less than 10 years old on the date you enter and which is valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. A visa is not required. Requirements may change and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure for France. If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country (ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain details and comply with all recommended and required vaccinations, health precautions and other health related measures (including those which are introduced to deal with Covid-19) in good time before departure. Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination, including at short or no notice. Please therefore check with a doctor or clinic or other reliable source of information not less than 6 weeks prior to departure and also closer to departure to ensure that you are aware of and can meet the necessary requirements and have the latest information. Existing issued EHIC (European Health Insurance Cards) remain valid until they expire even though the UK has left the EU. When your EHIC expires, or if you have not had an EHIC, you can apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) providing you are eligible for one. A GHIC provides the same cover as an EHIC. Certain individuals may also be able to apply for a UK issued EHIC after 31 December 2020. EHIC and GHIC are free to apply for. However, both EHIC and GHIC provide only limited access to healthcare whilst you are outside the UK which also varies from country to country. They also provide no cover in the event that you require medical repatriation to the UK. Neither an EHIC nor a GHIC offer comparable protection to travel insurance and are not a substitute for travel insurance. Accordingly, you must purchase appropriate travel insurance. For more information, visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurancecard-ghic/ Please be aware that there may be enhanced screening/monitoring at exit and entry points both in the UK and overseas. It is your responsibility to ensure that your Covid-19 vaccination status and documentation meets the applicable local requirements of your destination country(ies) including, without limitation, in respect of the number of vaccination doses you have received, the time interval between and since the last of these and the means by which this is to be proved. Vaccination requirements vary in different parts of the world including in respect of children. You are responsible for ensuring that all applicable requirements are complied with. If you attempt to travel without fully complying with all requirements, you are likely to be refused boarding on your flight or other transport. In certain situations and when arriving from certain countries, you may be required to self-isolate or quarantine for a set period on arrival. It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all persons travelling are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation or to otherwise comply with all applicable requirements (including health/Covid-19 related ones). If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs or expenses being incurred by us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. If you are unable to travel as a result of failure or inability to comply with any health related or other requirements, cancellation charges will apply as referred to in clause 7.
16. Delay We regret we are not in a position to offer you any assistance in the event of any delays in relation to your arrival to, or departure from, France.
17. UK and French Government Advice The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk. The French Ministere de L’Europe et de Affaires Etrangeres also publishes updated travel information on its website (in English) www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-forforeign-nationals-in-france/. You are recommended to consult travel advice before booking and in good time before departure.
18. Website / advertising material accuracy: The information contained on our website and in our other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing or publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen arrangements (including the price) with us at the time of booking.
19. Hot tub and sauna: Whilst we maintain these facilities, you must assume responsibility for your own safety. These facilities can be dangerous if used without due care and attention. There will be times when these facilities may not be available due to maintenance and cleaning. Occasionally things go wrong with these facilities. We will use our best endeavours to fix any problems but we are not liable if these facilities are out of use. These facilities will be open strictly for Alpine property services guests, ordinarily between 08h00-22h00. Hot tub: Children 5 and over must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. Children under 5 years are not allowed in the hot tubs. Sauna: Children under 12 are not permitted to use these facilities. Instructions for the use of these facilities will be displayed in each chalet, and we cannot stress strongly enough the importance of being aware of and abiding by these instructions.