March 2016

In February 2016, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)* released key protection and advice surrounding ski safety. With this in mind, Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) has created a guide comparing ski safety regulations at some of the world's most popular ski resorts to help safety-conscious skiers plan ahead. The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/skisafety. 

The research compares ski safety regulations at 14 ski resorts, including Breckenridge in Colorado, 3 Vallees in France and Verbier in Switzerland and compares any ski insurance offered and any call out costs for skiing accidents.

Ski insurance policies vary between each resort, with 12 of the 14 resorts included in the research offering specific ski insurance options for visitors. French resorts including Chamonix, La Plagne and Les Deux Alps provide the Carte Neige Insurance from £29 to £44, which covers medical and rescue fees for on and off-piste skiing and immediate replacement of lost lift passes. Alternatively, Verbier in Switzerland offer Snow Assist insurance for £3 per day or £66 per season which covers refunds for rescue costs, ski rentals, lift passes and skiing lessons.

The research also revealed that three of the resorts, La Plagne, St Moritz in Switzerland and Valle d'Aosta in Italy, charge a call out rescue fee. The fee varies from £140 at Valle d'Aosta to £569 at La Plagne. Additionally, in Vail, one of Colorado's ski resorts, fees apply when a traveller has to be taken to hospital by ambulance, whereas rescues are free across the Mont Blanc Massif in France unless an airlift has to be called out to the scene of the incident.

When it comes to new tech, two of the researched resorts offer apps for skiers. The Italian resort Cortina d'Ampezzo boasts the 'SkiCortina' app including the resorts' essential telephone numbers and ski slope details as well as displaying any risk of avalanches. Similarly, 3 Vallees resort offers the '3 Vallees' app that helps travellers locate their fellow skiers within the ski area thanks to free GPS.

In terms of additional safety services offered, at Vail ski resort Mountain Safety personnel are dressed in yellow jackets throughout the day and can be found in high traffic ski areas.

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH),
Visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

Notes To Editors
*According to ABTA Ski Safety Information 2016, available from:
http://abta.com/about-us/press/abta-urges-skiers-and-snowboarders-to-stay-safe-on-the-slopes-this-half-ter

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award winning airport parking operator and retailer, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a sixth year running at British Travel Awards 2015. This year APH also celebrated its 35th year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

Whether you're taking golf-clubs, a snowboard, a bike or a baby seat on holiday, finding out which regulations you have to adhere to can be a headache. To help cut through all the mouse-clicking, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has created an online baggage allowance finder which is easy-to-use and regularly updated with the latest information. The tool can be accessed at:  http://www.aph.com/community/baggage-allowances/.  

Media Enquiries
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk