Safety on the slopes

Do you comply with DCSF safety guidelines?

Is my group’s money safe with PGL?

Can you provide Risk Assessments?

What standard is the accommodation that you use?

How are your Reps recruited and trained?

Are all your instructors qualified?

What is your instructor ratio for skiing?

And for snowboarding?

What specialist equipment is supplied by PGL?

Is it true that children now have to wear helmets to ski or snowboard in Italy?

What happens in the case of an accident or illness of one of my party?

Who is responsible for the group's behaviour and welfare?

Do you run fire drills?

Do all coaches have seatbelts?

How many coach drivers will there be?

Is my group fully insured or do I need to take out separate insurance?

Do you offer ski trips for small groups?

Q. Do you comply with DCSF safety guidelines?
A. Yes, we comply with the DCSF guide “Health & Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits 1998” and the appendices added in 2002. PGL is a founding member of the School Travel Forum which promotes good practice and safety in school travel. We are fully assured members of the STF.

Q. Is my group’s money safe with PGL?
A. Yes, we are ABTA bonded member V2683 and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority, under ATOL 4630; we also operate a no surcharge guarantee for coach groups, which protects you from any surcharge once you have confirmed your booking.

Q. Can you provide risk assessments?
A. We will automatically provide a copy of our Safety Management System* which contains all the information about our accommodation standards and
sample risk assessments. This should provide all the information you or your LEA requires, but if you have further paperwork in this area, please forward it to us, and we will be happy to complete it on your behalf. Alternatively you may choose to complete it on a preview trip.

Q. What standard is the accommodation that you use?
A. The type of accommodation we use on our programme varies greatly, from 3 or 4 star hotels to the more basic youth hotels, chalets and hostels. All of it, however, has been selected by a senior representative of PGL or an agent acting on our behalf, and we have in place a stringent and externally verified accommodation auditing procedure, full details of which are available in the Safety Management System document*.

Q. How are your Reps recruited and trained?
A. At Head Office our Ski Operations Manager takes responsibility for staff recruitment and training. Many of our Reps work for us year on year, but around 30 - 40% of the staff will be new each year and are offered contracts subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance and satisfactory completion of training course.

Q. Are all your instructors qualified?
A. Yes, absolutely. At each of our destinations we employ the services of Ski Instructors who are qualified to the high standards set by local governing bodies.

Q. What is your instructor ratio for skiing?
A. Ski instructors are allocated on a ratio of 1:12 paying pupils. However, some groups choose to take an extra instructor, depending on the split of skiing ability in their group. Please contact our office for details of the cost of an additional instructor.

Q. And for snowboarding?
A. To ensure maximum benefit for boarding PGL recommends a group size of no more than 8 for beginners and 10 for intermediate and advanced, though this may vary between resorts and individual ski schools. Please note that additional supplements may apply where snowboard group numbers fall below 8 – please contact our office for details.

Q. What specialist equipment is supplied by PGL?
A. All our ski courses include the hire of skis, poles and boots and PGL is pleased to include the hire of carving skis as standard. Snowboarders generally have soft boots and boards. All our suppliers are contracted to provide equipment that meets CEN standards or the local relevant standard. Checks are carried out annually by PGL to inspect our suppliers’ equipment. Click here to view Snowsport England's guidelines>

Q. Is it true that children now have to wear helmets to ski or snowboard in Italy?
A. Yes – but only children aged 13 and under. PGL supplies helmets which meet CEN standards free of charge in resort for those children requiring them.Click here to view Snowsport England's guidelines>

Q. What happens in the case of an accident or illness of one of my party?
A. Local instructors leading activities will hold first aid qualifications and there will be procedures in place to deal with any accident or emergency. The PGL Rep with your group will assist and liaise with all local doctor(s), hospital(s) and first aid staff on your behalf. Our staff are aware of procedures to be followed in dealing with an accident or emergency. They will also liaise closely with you to ensure that we comply with your wishes. Records are kept of any accidents or incidents.
 
Q. Who is responsible for the group’s behaviour and welfare?
A. You, as Party Leader, are in loco parentis, so are ultimately responsible for their behaviour and welfare. Clear handover and handback procedures should be followed between yourselves and instructors. Our “Code of Conduct” is on pages 5 and 17 of the Safety Management System for School Tours and Ski*, and for the sake of the safety and enjoyment of all taking part, should be adhered to at all times.

Q. Do you run fire drills?
A. On arrival your PGL Rep will deliver a fire safety briefing and show you and your party emergency exits and meeting points as well as run through the
evacuation procedures. A full fire drill including all children, teachers and party leader is available on request.

Q. Do all coaches have seatbelts?
A. Following Government legislation, all British coaches transporting young people under 16 years of age must be fitted with seatbelts. All UK coaches hired by PGL conform to this requirement. Many European coaches are also fitted with lapbelts, though they are not yet subject to the same rules as the UK. However, the coach transporting you from Britain will fulfil most of the transportation required by your group whilst abroad. Wherever fitted, seatbelts must be worn and it is the Party Leader’s responsibility to ensure children comply with this rule. This is now the law across Europe also.

Q. How many coach drivers will there be?
A. In order to comply with EU regulations concerning drivers’ hours etc, there will be two drivers accompanying each coach group.

Q. Is my group fully insured or do I need to take out separate insurance?
A. Extensive winter sports insurance cover is included in the PGL Ski package. It covers each child and adult for the whole period of the trip including travel to and from resort. It also covers all the activities organised by PGL, it includes 24 hour medical assistance and Organiser Liability cover for up to £5 million. Full details of our insurance will be supplied at the time of booking.