POWDER BYRNE MAKING LIFE EASY WHEN SKIING WITH THE FAMILY AT FEBRUARY HALF TERM

Powder Byrne prides itself in being the leading family travel specialists when it comes to creating a really bespoke solution and which offers complete flexibility for its clients when they travel, even during the busiest weeks of the year such as February half term.   Its enhanced Client Concierge Team for 2016/17 has been re-structured to co-ordinate the exceptional service that the company is renowned for, making sure that every little detail is in place before clients travel.  Powder Byrne was the first tour operator to coin the phrase 'Nothing is too much trouble'.  Easy to say, but what does this mean in reality?

• Travel on any day of the week if clients wish, rather than being restricted to the day that suits the tour operator.  Luxury Private Transfers are then arranged.
• Private BA Flights.  For those happy to travel at the weekend, Powder Byrne provides its own private British Airways flights from Terminal 5 Heathrow at very civilised flight times, with luxury transfers, refreshments, videos for the kids etc up to resort.
• The most thorough pre-travel advice will have been given to match resorts and hotels to clients' specific needs. We have 32 years experience in delivering the very best possible service, having listened to what clients want and responded with bespoke solutions that give families peace of mind. 
• Their Pre-Ordering Service is the most comprehensive you will find.  The team will go the extra mile to think of everything that any family might require in resort – not just the standard such as ski passes and booking of ski equipment, but providing state of the art car seats for transfers and shuttles, branded ski helmets, baby essentials for little ones such as nappies, formula, wipes etc. and any other specific requirements. 
• Restaurant reservations, both on and off the mountain, will be discussed and pre-booked to ensure availability.   If other activities are of interest such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, private ski instruction/guiding for off piste skiers, helicopter skiing, this can all be booked in advance (see new PB Mountain Hosts below).
• Resort Drivers are on standby to deliver clients to the slopes ahead of the crowds if desired and back to their hotel at the end of the day, and are also on hand in the evenings. 
• Ski Managers will host complimentary ski-guiding groups to show clients the best skiing for the conditions prevailing and impart all their insider knowledge on what's going on in resort!  Available for skiers from blue run novices to advanced off-piste powder-hounds in select resorts.  New for 2016/17 -  1-2-1 PB Ski Clinics during certain peak weeks at very advantageous rates for all skiing levels with Powder Byrne's own qualified instructors.
• Kids lack for nothing when in the hands of the PB Resort Team.  Their experienced staff will take over responsibility from parents from the hotel reception, help get them togged up in the boot room (often a stressful time for parents) and take them off for the start of their skiing day.  In addition to each group's ski instructor, there is always another member of the Powder Byrne team who skies with them to help with more pastoral care needed by any individual child, so the rest of the group is not disrupted (getting gloves back on cold hands, loo stops, gentle reassurance etc).  They organise supervised kids' suppers so parents can enjoy a quiet drink in the evening or go out with friends.  Everything is done to ensure clients maximise their precious time in the mountains.
• New for 2016/17:  PB Mountain Hosts.  For those less inclined to throw themselves into downhill skiing, we offer our PB Mountain Hosts, who will help non-skiing clients to enjoy all the delights of life in the mountains, such as guided winter walking, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing or taking a turn on the ice rink.  They will help co-ordinate a programme for non-skiers to suit their interests, and will liaise with PB's Ski Guides, so all can meet up for lunch on the mountain.
• When all said and done, it's down to how the team are perceived by the clients that counts and from our feedback forms, the most often used phrase to describe Powder Byrne's service is still 'nothing was too much trouble for the team'. 
   

Round-up of luxury ski availability for February half-term

Powder Byrne has experienced good all round bookings for the busy February half term week with clients wishing to secure the best choice of accommodation and flights.  There is still availability in the following hotels and resorts: 

SWITZERLAND

DAVOS:

Stay at the Hotel Intercontinental and choose from their exceptional choice of family accommodation including suites and interconnecting rooms.  Price from £2,930 per adult (£10,140 for a family of 4) sharing two interconnecting Superior Rooms for 7 nights from 11th February on B&B basis.  Price includes return PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

Stay at Ameron Hotel with choice of interconnecting family accommodation.  Price from £2,240 per adult (£8,496 for a family of 4) sharing two interconnecting Smart Comfort Rooms for 7 nights from 11th February on B&B basis.  Price includes return PB private flights from Heathrow flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service. 

Stay at Steigenberger Hotel.  Price from £2,598 per adult (£6,693 for a family of 3, with child on extra bed) sharing a Standard Double Room for 7 nights from 11th February on B&B basis.  Price includes return PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

FLIMS:

Stay at the Waldhaus Mountain Resort and Spa.   This stunning hotel set in its own parkland has undergone a CHF40,000,000 refurbishment in time for 2016/17 skiing season.  Price from £3,675 per adult (£9,275 for a family of 3, with child on extra bed) sharing a Classic Room for 7 nights from 11th February on HB basis.  Price includes return PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

LENZERHEIDE:

Stay at the Hotel Schweizerhof, conveniently located in the centre of this pretty village.  Price from £3,585 per adult (extra bed supplement depends on child's age) sharing an Alpenchic Room for 7 nights from 11th February on HB basis.  Price includes return PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

GRINDELWALD:

Your kids will love this village, whose skiing is also linked with Wengen and Murren.  Take them on an adventure to the top of the Jungfraujoch on the train which literally takes you through the inside of the mountain right to the summit.

Stay at Hotel Belvedere, and treat your kids to the delights of this village linked with Wengen and Murren.    Price from £3,030 per person sharing a Classic North Twin Room on HB basis.  Price includes PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service. 

Or, stay at Hotel Schweizerhof, with its fairytale turrets.  Price from £3,393 per person sharing a North Comfort Twin for 7 nights from 12th February on HB basis.  Price includes PB private flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service. 

ZERMATT:

This village nestled beneath the majestic Matterhorn needs no introduction.  One of Powder Byrne's favourite resorts with clients skiing at February half term, but we still have some availability.  For the ulimate in luxury, stay at Mont Cervin Palace where families will truly be treated like royalty.  Price from £4,591 per adult (£16,612 for a family of 4) sharing Alpine Classic Room for 7 nights from 12th February on HB basis.  Price includes return flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

Or stay at Hotel Schweizerhof where your family will be sure of a wonderful welcome.  Price from £3,198 per person sharing a Twin Room for 7 nights from 12th February on HB basis.  Price includes return flights from Heathrow, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

LAAX:

A great resort for families with older children who will enjoy the relaxed and contemporary style of this resort, favoured by snowboarders and freestylers.  Stay in a serviced apartment in rocksresort, right next to the Laax base-station.  Price from £2,338 per person based on 4 sharing an apartment (£9,352 per family of 4), on room only basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne service in resort.

AUSTRIA

ST CHRISTOPH:

This charming hamlet, with little traffic to worry about, is ideal for families with young children.  Now linked to Zurs, the choice of skiing has been extended considerably and is proving a hot choice this year.  Stay at family friendly Hotel Maiensee.  Price from £3,654 per person (£10,014 for a family of 4) sharing a Junior Suite for 7 nights from 11th February on HB basis.  Price includes PB private flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.

ITALY

SAN CASSIANO:

The resort of choice for our food loving clients, with more Michelin starred restaurants and gourmet mountain huts to be found than anywhere else in the mountains.  Stay at the Ciasa Salares Hotel with its Michelin Starred La Siriola restaurant, but kids are warmly welcomed in this 4 star hotel.  Price from £3,340 per person sharing a Standard Double Room for 7 nights from 11th February on HB basis.  Price includes BA flights from Heathrow to Venice, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne service in resort. 

Or stay at stylish Fanes Dolomiti with its phenomenal spa, overlooking the stunning Dolomite Mountains.  Price from £3,515 per person sharing a Ladina Double Room for 7 nights from 11th February on HB basis.  Price includes BA flights from Heathrow to Innsbruck, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne service in resort.

Powder Byrne Media Contact:  Jenny Trevor                                  

Tel: 020 8246 5300

Email:  jenny@powderbyrne.com 

Website:  www.powderbyrne.com 

Notes to Editors

Powder Byrne was founded in 1985 by Rory Byrne, whose aim has always been to deliver tailor-made holidays with a focus on quality combined with flexibility and great personal service. 

In 1988 Powder Byrne became the first operator to specialise in corporate ski weekends, offering companies complete flexibility of travel dates and event arrangements. In 1989 Rory Byrne won The Independent's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 1994 the decision was made to specialise exclusively in high service hotel-based holidays specialising in family skiing, and Powder Byrne now offers a range of exclusive ski destinations in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. In 1994 a Summer Resorts programme was added. Their award-winning exclusive winter and summer kids' programmes offer inspirational childcare and sports tuition for kids from crèche age right up to teenagers.  In 2009 Air & Space was created providing adventure experiences for families wanting more discovery from their travels, but with the same levels of luxury and seamless service that Powder Byrne are now renowned for.  Whilst seen to be the family travel specialists, they continue to specialise in arranging private ski weekends for adults as well as bespoke events for corporate groups.