Snowscape – Ski Holidays to Austria
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch – we’ll be more than happy to help.
How do I book?
We require a minimum deposit of £150 per person with the full balance due 10 weeks prior to departure. Flights are generally instant purchase with the full amount of the flight element payable at the time of booking. We accept payment by credit or debit card and bank transfer.
We’ll email you your confirmation invoice within 24 hours and your final travel details will be uploaded to our travel App.
Can I book online?
Due to the nature of our holidays and, in particular our tailor-made ski weekends and short breaks, unfortunately we don’t offer online booking. We offer expert advice and a prompt and efficient booking service via telephone and email.
What is your Covid-19 Policy?
Since March 2020, we have strived to offer as much security, flexibility and reassurance as possible so you can book your ski holiday with confidence.
At the time of travel or in the weeks leading up to departure, if the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) advise against all but essential travel to a country due to cases of COVID-19 or travel restrictions remain in place which prevent you from travelling (lockdown in UK or Austria, borders or ski resorts closed – Note, this does not include testing requirements or additional quarantine), we will offer to re-book, offer a credit note or refund your holiday. We’ll actively manage your options in the period leading up to departure, update and inform you and remain as flexible as possible.
We operate a client trust account which offers you 100% financial protection and has been pivotal in us being able to offer prompt refunds where it was impossible to travel over the last two winters.
We continually monitor how our Austrian Partner Hotels and Ski Resorts are dealing with COVID and, before you travel, we will keep you fully updated.
Please note it is a condition of booking that you and all members of your party have adequate Winter Sports Travel Insurance with specific cover against COVID-19 related cancellation and medical costs (including having to self-isolate overseas). Please check any insurance policy meets your requirements.
Am I financially protected?
100%! Snowscape Limited is a member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA R711X) which offers 100% financial protection via a client Trust Account. Air holidays provided by us are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL T7099).
Why are flights not included in your packages or priced separately?
As a starting point, our packages include the accommodation and airport transfer element of your holiday. We don’t hold any flight allocation so just buy in scheduled flights (BA / Lufthansa) to Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich as required. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your own flights direct for the best fares and flexibility (low-cost airlines also generally don’t work with agents). We can hold rooms pending flight booking if required.
We can also offer flight-inclusive weekly packages as agents for other tour operators.
Which is the best airport to fly to and who flies there?
Salzburg and Innsbruck are the two main gateways to the Austrian Alps with Munich (Germany) offering a wider selection of flights for resorts in the Kitzbüheler Alps region.
For weekends and short stays, the best flight options for Salzburg and Innsbruck are from London-based airports. However, for maximum skiing time and late flights home on your last day, Munich often works better. Munich is the best option for weekends from Manchester and Birmingham airports.
British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2 fly to Salzburg. BA, Easyjet and Jet2 fly to Innsbruck and British Airways, Lufthansa and Easyjet fly to Munich.
Should we book the flights or hotel first?
If you wish to book your own flights, we can hold your accommodation pending flight booking. We’ll then note your flight details and confirm the Hotel booking on receipt of your deposit.
How do your Airport Transfers work?
We operate a private door-to-door service or a shared shuttle service both of which we book around your flight times. Shuttle services may require making your way to a central meeting point. We ensure you are transferred back to the airport in good time for your return flight and you’ll receive a text with your pick-up time around 24 hours before travel. Airport transfer arrangements are detailed on our travel App.
Can we pre-book lift passes, ski hire and lessons or guides?
Yes. In most of our resorts, these can be booked ahead of travel. We advise details, meeting points and provide vouchers via our Travel App.
We can pre-book ski school as well as private instruction and off-piste guiding.
What are the arrangements for ski / snowboard school and lessons?
Group lessons generally start Sundays and Mondays with lesson times 10-1200 and 1300-1500 (varies from resort to resort). You can also opt for mornings only however, we do find that you may not progress as quickly as others in the group that stay on for the afternoon session. Most ski schools will offer lunchtime supervision and a hot lunch for children (around €11/day).
We can also organise private lessons and guides – on and off-piste. Typically, this would be for a 2-hour or full day session. There is a cost for the private instructor / guide plus a nominal amount for each additional person. For small groups, the cost per person offers great value.
I’m a beginner. Which is the best resort for learning to ski or snowboard?
We would recommend Fieberbrunn and St Johann in Tirol both of which offer great value and are ideal for learning to ski or snowboard (as well as having good skiing for intermediates and above).
We’re travelling as a family – What’s the best option?
Firstly, dates are key. If you can avoid February half term, do so – prices are at their highest (school holidays across Europe) and demand for flights far outstrips supply. Easter - longer days, warmer temperatures and a good snowbase - is a great time for family skiing as long as it is not too late.
The resort needs to be geared up for families with good ski schools which offer optional lunchtime supervision (most do) and well suited to your ability. There is a LOT of kit to carry so the closer to the slopes you can be, the better – or choose a resort that offers equipment lockers / depot at the bottom of the slopes.
Kindergartens (taking children from 6 months) and Creche facilities are available in some resorts – again proximity to the lifts is important.
Most hotels offer 3 and 4 bedded rooms (we offer good reductions for children sharing with parents) or you could opt for an apartment.
And finally, cost – by the time you have added in lift passes, hire and lessons, it is not going to be a cheap holiday. Some resorts offer free lift passes to under 10’s, some to under 15’s later in the season. Depending on the resort, family ski hire packages are also available.
Fieberbrunn, St Johann in Tirol and Saalbach all work well for families and we can advise on what will work best for you and your family.
What are day-to-day costs like?
Austria offers excellent value with prices similar or less than those we experience in the UK. As a guide, on the mountain, you can expect to pay around €3 for a coffee, €3 for a coke, €5-€6 for a large beer (0.5l), €8 for a Goulasch soup and €13 for spaghetti Bolognese. In resort, standard 3-course set menus are around €18, Pizzas from €12, main courses in a good restaurant from €18-€30.
Austria’s mountain huts are as much of a highlight as the skiing and you can expect rustic wooden huts, efficient and friendly Austrian hospitality, table service and great prices.
When is the best time to book?
Our advice is to book early especially if you are planning a short break or ski weekend. Short stay availability is limited and we do book out. Booking ahead gives you a much better choice of resorts and hotels and flights are generally cheaper the further in advance they are booked.
If you are planning on travelling in high season (Christmas, New Year and most of February – UK AND European school holidays), book early to avoid disappointment as these dates book out.