The Mall School SKI TRIP 2018 Les Deux Alpes, France 24 – 30 March www.halsburytravel.com 1

About Halsbury Travel Established Since 1986 School & Group Tours Specialist Over 750 tours per year, carrying over 40,000 passengers We are the UK’s largest independent School Tour Operator Effective Safety Management System Financial Protection incl. scheduled airline insurance Fully accredited with ABTA, ATOL & the School Travel Forum Comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance (if applicable) 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Number whilst on Tour We used Halsbury last year, they were very good and that is why we are using them again. The only concern I had last year was a very unhelpful and grumpy coach driver. I have been assured by Halsbury that we are having a different coach company this year. Whilst on the inspection Visit, a secondary school from Reading, who were also using Halsbury as their tour operator, were staying in the same hotel as the boys will be visiting. On their last day, there was an incident where one of their best skiers had an accident. He was airlifted, with one of his teachers, to Grenoble hospital. Fortunately, the boys parents were en-route to collect him as they were having their Christmas holiday at another ski resort so they needed to do a detour to Grenoble hospital. However, whilst they were driving down through France the doctors were helping sort the boys broken leg at the hospital. Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the group leader was on the phone to Halsbury to discuss the insurance details and what needed to be done. As soon as she came off the phone she said that Halsbury could not have been any more helpful. They said to make sure that the boy was ok first and foremost, Halsbury then made every step of what needed to happen very clear to the group leader and also said not worry about anything as they would be picking up the bill. This alleviated a great deal of stress with the teachers from Reading but also reassured me about how they deal with major incidents. www.halsburytravel.com 2

Les Deux Alpes is a purpose built ski centre at 2035m, developed in the valley of two large mountains in the Dauphine region . It is a linear town with one main road and has access from only one side. As the shape of the town is in a natural bowl, the end point of the majority of runs is generally somewhere along the town thus making it more difficult to get lost. It is also a cul-de-sac so there is only one road in and out. Coach journey from airport to resort: Approx 2 hours

As you can see on the piste map the majority of the runs will come back into the town. However, more advanced skiers will go further afield and use the lift system to get them to the appropriate pistes for their ability. All boys will probably visit the glacier over the course of the week. You can see there are a couple of blue runs coming off of the top of the glacier so boys that have never skied before should be able to do this by the end of the week. Beginners*** Intermediate***** Advanced**** Off-Piste Grade** Kms Piste: 200km No. of Runs: 65% for beginners (Green 18%, Blue 47%), Red 23%, Black 13% Longest Run: 16kms Number of Lifts: 55 Highest Lift: 3568m Snow-Making Facilities: Yes Glacier: Yes Piste map

Hotel Atmosphere This is the location of our hotel. You can see we are on the better side of the road (where all the lifts are), there is a short walk to the meeting area, the bottom of the Jandri Express Just 100m from the pistes and 200m from the meeting point with ski instructors, this hotel is in an extremely convenient location from which to enjoy the slopes

Hotel Atmosphere The Hotel Atmosphere, Les Deux Alpes, enjoys an ideal position in the middle of the village. Each comfortable room comes with en-suite facilities, telephone, safe, hairdryer, colour TV and central heating. The panoramic restaurant is located on the main floor. The service is a buffet with a selection of appetizers, main courses and side dishes, vegetables and fresh fruits. Water is on tap and is included with meals. All guests of the hotel benefit from use of the spacious ski room situated in the basement and very close to the slopes. There is also a Reception, Bar and Cinema Room. The hotel does provide towels I have already sent the dietary requirements forward to the hotel so they are aware of what provisions need to be in place. There is a Trauma Centre and a doctor’s surgery next to our hotel. The closest hospital is in Grenoble (80kms away): This is about 2 hours by road. Avenue Maquis du Grésivaudan, 38700 La Tronche, France   

Itinerary Suggested check-list Saturday 24th March Meet at school at 2:15am Depart from school at 2:30am Travel by coach to airport (approx 1 hour) Check in at 3:50am Flight 5:50am – 8:30am (1 hour 40 min flight) Travel by coach to resort hotel (approx 2 hours) Arrive at Hotel at 11:30am Lunch Meeting with Halsbury Representative Equipment collection and fitting then unpacking bags Activity Dinner As we leave early, the boys will need to take a packed breakfast to be eaten at the airport or on the plane. When we arrive at the hotel, we have been allowed to drop our bags off. If rooms have been vacated and are ready the boys will be able to go to their dorms. by Halsbury Travel 7

Itinerary Suggested check-list Sunday 25th (clocks go forward) – Thursday 28th March Breakfast 2.5 hours ski lessons AM (Instructor Evaluation on Sunday only) Lunch 2.5 hours ski lessons PM Evening meal Optional après ski activities (tenpin bowling, quiz night, disco, ice skating, shopping, packing bags etc) by Halsbury Travel 8

Itinerary Suggested check-list Friday 30th March Breakfast (07:45-09:45) – and collect a packed lunch Check out from the hotel at 10:00 Leave hotel at 12:30 Travel by coach to airport (2 hours) Check in at 14:40 Flight 16:40 – 17:20 (1 hour 40 minutes) Travel by coach to school (approx 1 hour) Arrive at school at 19:50 When we land at Gatwick and we have boarded the coach. The staff will give each the parents of boys in their group a call to let them know if what are ETA will be. by Halsbury Travel 9

Ski Instruction 5 days skiing is included in your package, 5 hours of instruction per day (pupils only) 2.5 hour lessons in the morning and 2.5 hour lessons in the afternoon Boys will be met by the instructors at the ski school meeting point on the piste Expert instructors from the local ski school will develop your skills over the week Group size are kept small (approx. 10 pupils) to ensure excellent supervision by Halsbury Travel

Ski Instruction The boys spend 5 hours a day with the Ski School where they will be taught: Carving & turning Using the inside edge Rhythm Style Speed & control Jumps During the week, the instructors will be grading them and there will be an award ceremony on the final evening. by Halsbury Travel

Admin Passports must be valid (in date). I will ask for these before the end of the Spring Term (apart from Year 7 boys). It is a good idea to have an up to date EHIC card. Obviously our insurance (or your own private insurance) will cover any issue but as soon as the card is seen things generally move a little quicker. Kit lists have been sent out and are also on the website. Medicines – I have been given various consent forms regarding medicines. We are only allowed to administer medicines if we have signed consent. by Halsbury Travel 12

Admin There are a few important points to remember before you fly… Only one hold bag is permitted per person – max weight 20kg All luggage should be clearly labelled One item of hand luggage per person No sharp objects in hand luggage No liquid in containers over 100mls Pupils must be able to carry their own bags Boys are allowed to bring 1 electronic item (and charger) by Halsbury Travel 13

Admin All the information I have sent out via email is also on the school website. When we are in France, depending on the wifi, we will set up a ski trip blog where I will ask the boys to write messages home and where you will be able to reply online. If the connection is quick I will also try to upload some photographs. Mr Box will also try and use Twitter to post a photograph each day. by Halsbury Travel 14

Safety Suggested check-list Travel groups Lift Pass School Information Card Medi-Card Mountain/Ski Safety Quiz   Each member of staff will be given a group of children to look after. Within the group we will try and mix up year groups so the older boys will hopefully look after the younger ones, help them with their bags, make sure they can carry their ski equipment etc. Each pupil will receive a card (credit card size) to put and keep in their sleeve pocket with their lift pass. This card will have the address of the hotel we are staying in and all the mobile numbers of the staff travelling. The boys will also receive a medi-card – this is their insurance card with Halsbury. This will also be placed in the sleeve of their ski jacket along with the card and lift pass. by Halsbury Travel 15

Mountain etiquette Don’t push-in at the lift queues Keep your speed in control Respect those who aren’t as comfortable on the piste as you are Give people a wide berth when overtaking Remember that the skier/boarder in front of you has right of way We will be having a meeting with the boys next week to hand out their hoodies and also to let them know that there are a few rules that they need to abide by whilst they are on the slopes. When we arrive, we will give them a quiz (in their groups), about mountain safety as a reminder of how to be safe.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ALL TAKE YOUR EHIC CARD by Halsbury Travel 17

Any questions? …so be prepared! by Halsbury Travel 18