conditions

1. BOOKING A HOLIDAY
a) A holiday booking is made between Descent International (‘Descent’) and the signatory of your quotation who must be over 18 years of age (‘you’). All correspondence to Descent is to be addressed to: Descent International, Riverbank House, Putney Bridge Approach, London, SW6 3JD, England. The booking procedure is as laid out in the section ‘Making your Reservation' on www.descent.co.uk.
b) The contract between you and Descent is in all circumstances to be governed by these booking conditions.

2. AMENDMENTS BY YOU
a) Amendments must be confirmed in writing, signed by you or any authorised member of your group. They will come into effect on the day they are received by Descent. You agree to indemnify Descent for any reasonable expenses incurred in making an amendment whether or not Descent succeeds in confirming your request.
b) Subject to availability, any change of dates within the same winter season more than 70 days prior to departure will be accepted by Descent without charge. A change of dates to a future winter season or within 70 days of departure will be deemed a full cancellation. Please see clause 3 below.

3. AMENDMENTS BY DESCENT
a) We reserve the right to advise you of a change to your holiday both before and after you make a reservation. An amendment made prior to departure which is deemed to be significant by Descent (for example a change of dates or a change in accommodation standards) gives you the right to cancel the holiday if you choose. Should you cancel in such circumstances you will receive a full refund (excluding insurance premiums). In all significant cases we will pay you compensation as follows:

b) Where a property has been booked by the room, compensation will be paid pro rata to clause 3 (a).
c) Once your holiday has started, Descent will pay you a pro-rata refund for any part of your holiday which, due to an amendment made by Descent, cannot be taken.
d) Please note that Descent cannot pay expenses, costs or losses incurred by you as a result of any change or cancellation and shall not be liable for any refund should Descent be forced to cancel or change your holiday due to circumstances amounting to Force Majeure. Such circumstances shall include, but are not limited to, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorism, industrial disruption, natural disasters, fire, technical problems, adverse weather, governmental action and similar events beyond our control.

4. CANCELLATION BY YOU
a) Any cancellation will come into effect the day written notice is received by Descent and will be refunded as shown in the table below. Recorded delivery is strongly recommended.

b) Peak Weeks are those where a 40% deposit is required to secure the week and will normally apply to school holiday weeks, as laid out with section ‘Making your Reservation’ on www.descent.co.uk.
c) Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these charges under the terms of your insurance policy.
d) Please note that your flight refund will be dependent on your flight ticket type and that insurance premiums are non-refundable.

5. CANCELLATION BY DESCENT
a) In all cases, Descent reserves the right to cancel your holiday for the dates you have reserved. This is extremely unlikely, but should this event occur you will be fully refunded and compensated as set out in clause 3(a).
b) If you fail to pay the balance of the booking price or other costs before the due dates, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation with no refund to you.

6. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
a) As part of this contract you hereby agree to guarantee payment for any chargeable services requested by any member of your group either before, during or after your holiday.
b) It is your responsibility to ensure that each member of your group carries adequate winter sports insurance. For your safety and convenience please provide Descent with policy details before you travel.
c) Please treat the chalet and all Descent property with care and respect. Descent will be entitled to recover the cost of any damage caused by any member of your group before departure from the chalet. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers accidental damage to the chalet and its contents. Behaviour deemed unacceptable by Descent will result in the termination of your holiday and you shall have no right to a refund for your holiday or any expenses incurred as a result of the termination.
d) Please note that smoking is not allowed inside Descent properties.
e) It is your responsibility to provide written details of any allergies suffered by any member of your group.

7. DESCENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Descent accepts responsibility for ensuring that the holiday which you book with Descent is supplied as described in the 2009/10 brochure and booking information. Descent accepts liability for any loss you may suffer if your holiday is not as described and, subject to clause 11, will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your holiday.
b) Descent accepts responsibility for any loss, death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and/or omissions of Descent’s employees, agents, suppliers, subcontractors, servants and/or agents of the same whilst acting within the scope of their employment in the provision of your holiday, except where the failure to perform or the improper performance was due to:

1) Your own acts or omissions.
2) Acts or omissions of a third party not involved with the provision of your holiday.
3) Circumstances which were unforeseeable or unavoidable even when exercising all due care.
c) Descent’s liability shall in all cases be limited in accordance with international conventions concerning transportation and accommodation.
d) In the event of death, illness or personal injury whilst on holiday during any activity that does not form part of your holiday arrangements booked with Descent, Descent will, in its sole discretion, offer assistance in helping you resolve any claim you make against a third party. Descent must be informed in writing within 90 days of your misadventure. Assistance will be limited to a maximum of £5,000. Should you receive damages or other payments in respect of your misadventure, you hereby agree to indemnify Descent for all costs incurred under this clause.

8. PRICE GUARANTEE
a) Once your holiday has been booked its price will be fixed, in spite of any currency fluctuations. However, we reserve the right to amend our tariffs at any time before you make your reservation and you will be notified if any such amendment has been made.

9. HEALTH, PASSPORTS AND VISAS
a) It is your responsibility to ensure that documents are in proper order before you travel. Descent accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of your failure to take reasonable care in this respect.

10. TRANSPORT
a) If you are not asking Descent to make flight arrangements for you, it is your responsibility to make your group’s travel arrangements to an airport from where Descent can arrange a resort transfer for you. Please inform Descent of your own flight arrangements at least four weeks prior to departure, requesting any transfers.
b) Descent cannot accept responsibility for guests missing flights for any reason or mislaying or destroying travel documents, and no credit or refund will be given if you fail to take up a component of your holiday as a result.
c) Descent is not responsible for any flight delays but wherever possible will endeavour to provide any previously booked resort transfers.

11. ANY PROBLEMS
a) If you are ever unhappy with any aspect of your holiday, you must address your complaint immediately to both the chalet manager and the local service provider. In the unlikely event that your problem cannot be resolved locally, you must inform Descent in writing of your complaint within 28 days of your return so that any rights to compensation can be examined.

12. END OF WEEK PAYMENTS
a) Upon request, Descent will make purchases on your behalf both before and during your holiday. To enable us to do so, credit card details will be held as a guarantee. Please note that any such purchases must be settled in full prior to your departure from the chalet.
b) A small visitor's tax is levied by the tourist office on a daily per head rate. This will be charged at cost at the end of your stay.

13. SKIING WITH DESCENT
a) It is the responsibility of you and your group to judge the suitability of each area in which you ski. If you or any member of your group ski in a location on the recommendation of or are accompanied by any representative of Descent, Descent will not be liable for any injuries howsoever caused.
b) Unless specified by you pre–arrival, lift passes bought on your behalf will include a carré neige (where available) to ensure rapid response in the event of an accident whilst skiing. Please note that this does not replace the need for a full winter sports insurance policy.

14. FACILITIES
a) Guests staying in chalets and villas with swimming pools and hot tubs use them at their own risk and Descent can accept no responsibility for accidents/ injuries whilst using these facilities.
b) Children must be supervised whilst using chalet facilities including, but not limited to, swimming pools, jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas and gyms.

15. GENERAL
a) Headings within these booking conditions are for reference purposes only and all images/floor plans are intended to give a general impression only.
b) Please note that check in time for all chalets is 16.30 and check out is 11am.  This allows for the chalet to be fully prepared for your arrival. Earlier access will only be allowed if the chalet is not occupied the previous week.
c) These booking conditions and any matters arising from them are subject to and governed by English law.
d) Descent International Limited is registered in England No: 3428168.