Important News on E111
The Department of Health took out large advertisements in national newspapers on 15 October 2004 about the change to the EU's reciprocal health agreement forms - the E111. The news is that old forms (those issued before 19 August 2004) will no longer be valid after 31 December 2004. Therefore everyone should apply for a new E111 before they go to Alpe d'Huez. The new E111 application form (CM1) and the form itself can be downloaded from the Department of Heath web site page Applying for an E111 form. You can only validate a new E111 form by going to a Post Office where you will also find the "Health Advice for Travellers" leaflet which contains the CM1 and E111 forms.
In theory your Travel Insurance may be invalid without a valid E111, though that may not hold up in a Court of Law, since Mark Warner do not mention the new E111 in their "Before you go" tips.
Travel Arrangements
You should shortly be receiving your flight tickets, either by hand or posted by Special Delivery. Mark Warner usually offer discounted airport parking through BCP, though I haven't received any leaflets with that info. Watch this space for a promotional code which may give a discount, as long as you pre-book.
Latest Snow Report
courtesey of snow-forecast.com
Details
Details are available in an Adobe Acrobat document (202KB). If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to view it.
To get Adobe Reader: 
(free download)
Once again we are arranging a holiday in conjunction with the RBSG Ski Club (South), formerly the NatWest Ski Club, and taking advantage of the substantial group discount which has been negotiated with Mark Warner.
Members of the RBSG Ski Club (South) should send their booking forms directly to Stuart Mazdon, but Huggins Tours associates should return theirs to Paul. A booking form is included in the Adobe Acrobat file, but a Microsoft Word version can be viewed here (if you have Word).
The Resort
Alpe d’Huez is the capital of Les Grandes-Rousses, the fifth largest ski area in France. It's not a purpose-built resort, however the additions to the original village means it has all the convenience of one.
Alpe d’Huez can justifiably be described as a genuine all-round ski resort, with plenty of action both on and off-piste. 230 kilometres of piste, (including 16 kilometre run), 10,000 hectares of skiing, 86 lifts, 2,200 metres vertical drop, 700 snowcannons covering nearly 40km of piste and a snowpark set amongst Alpine fir trees, means there’s something for everyone. If you don’t feel you’ve had enough skiing during the day, head to the Signal Slalom stadium for night-time action and get the most out of your Visalp pass!
The pistes are designed for skiers of all abilities. The ratings (out of 5 stars) in the Good Ski and Snowboard Guide 2004 speak for themselves:
| Snow | **** | Beginners | ***** |
| Extent | **** | Intermediates | **** |
| Convenience | **** | Experts | **** |
| Queues | **** | Mountain restaurants | **** |
| rated **** or ***** for Boarders in other guides | |||
Alpe d’Huez is probably the sunniest resort in the Alps, due to the large number of south-facing pistes. This can be a problem late in the season, but January is the ideal time to visit the resort while the temperature is still low enough to keep the snow in good condition. The slopes also have a huge array of snow cannons which mitigate against the risks of low snowfall or too much sun.
The resort itself is large and good for those who enjoy a bit of après-ski. Whilst not particularly architecturally appealing, the town is more pleasant than many French purpose-built resorts.
Most of the runs in the bowl just above Alpe d'Huez are green runs. The 16 km run is the black Sarenne piste which has a total drop of 2000m - steep at the top, shallow at the bottom - "a demanding and highly satisfying run (with stunning views)"
Ski Facts and Costs
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Lift Pass A 6 day lift pass includes 1 day in Les Deux Alpes, Serre Chevalier, Puy-St-Vincent and the Italian Milky Way, as well as use of the public swimming pool and ice rink. Passport photo required for all lift passes. 6 day local pass (2004 prices)
Ski Pack (2004 Prices) Adult Skis 6 Days
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Adult Boots
Kids skis, boots & helmet
Group Lessons Adult 5 mornings £80 - max 10 per group For children aged 4-15, 6 mornings £75 5 full days £100 - max 12 per group. (Not exclusive to Mark Warner guests) Transfer time from Geneva Airport: 2 hours 50 mins Prices may increase or decrease in the resort and/or fluctuate depending on the exchange rate. |
The Hotel
The Chalethotel Le Mariandre is situated in the heart of the old quarter of Alpe d’Huez. This cosy family hotel is just 25 metres from the Telecentre ski lift, which connects into the main skiing area and the many easy beginner pistes, and just 25 metres from the ski bus stop. Snow conditions permitting you can ski back almost to the door for most of the season. Within short walking distance are both an indoor and open air swimming pool, ice rink, sports centre offering tennis, squash, aerobics, gym and the numerous shops, bars and restaurants.
Le Mariandre is built in an attractive chalet style and the use of pine-panelling in many areas gives a snug and homely ambience. On entering the hotel, the carved pine staircase takes you up to the first floor with bright, south-facing lounge and private bar with balcony and spectacular views of the nearby mountain ranges. The crèche is on the second floor. Move downstairs to the the ground floor with a small public bar and private restaurant which offers tables of mixed sizes for dining.
The bedrooms are a variety of shapes and sizes spread over the first, second and third floors. Some are quite compact, but all are furnished to a comfortable standard. All have ensuite bathrooms and wc, telephone and TV and some have balconies. Some rooms can take an extra bed and/or cot and there are 3 family suites which are ideal for families with two or more children.
Prices
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Children’s ski school
Flight supplements:
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Childcare: An all-day nursery, crèche and childminding service is open six days a week for children aged 4 months to 12 years old. The final adult prices will be dependant on the ski club subsidy that is available (for full and associate members of the RBSG Ski Club (South)), but will be less than £450 for members and non-members. |
Mark Warner
Mark Warner are holding 40 places in the Chalethotel Le Mariandre until their brochure comes out, which is usually in early July. Any bookings above that number can probably be accommodated provided we receive them by the 1 July deadline, but after that date it depends upon whether there are other bookings at the Hotel.
As those of you who have joined us on Mark Warner holidays in the last two years will know, the benefits are terrific:
- full English and/or continental breakfast
- evening meals 6 days per week
- free ski hosting for abilities from slow intermediate to advanced
- free unlimited wine with evening meals
- afternoon tea with home-made soups and cakes
- all English-speaking staff
In addition the ChaletHotel Le Mariandre features:
- skiing back to the door (snow-permitting)
- central location
- full childcare facilities
Note that Mark Warner applies no price differentials to different sized rooms, or those with balconies, baths or showers. The better rooms will be allocated to the first to apply. If you specifically require a bath or shower please specify which on the back of your booking form. Your preferences are more likely to be met the sooner you book.
More details of the resort and the hotel can be found on their web site at www.markwarner.co.uk/alpe/huez.htm
Mark Warner booking terms and conditions can be found here: www.markwarner.co.uk/terms_ski.htm
In order to ensure that you fulfil the Mark Warner booking conditions, and so that you are covered for cancellation, we need you to provide full details of your current holiday insurance cover, as set out on the booking form. A summary of the cover offered by Mark Warner is given below:
Mark Warner Insurance
Mark Warner have arranged a comprehensive Winter Sports insurance Policy through AON Travel which is underwritten by Travel and Personal Underwriters Ltd on behalf of a consortium of leading Insurance Companies including Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group Pic, Gouda International and Ace Insurance Company SANV thus providing first class security. The policy is optional but it is a condition of booking that all guests have insurance which provides at least the same level of cover as the policy recommended by MarkWarner. For increased limits, including cover for physiotherapy expenses in the United Kingdom, we recommend our Supercover policy, details of which are shown below. Cover for additional travel and accommodation expenses due to a disruption in the travel arrangements and legal expenses up to £10,000 are included in the price of all holidays booked through the brochure. For maximum cover, we recommend you purchase cover at the time of booking your holiday. Your Mark Warner invoice is proof of insurance and full details of the policy wording will be sent to you with your confirmation of booking. Premiums include insurance Premium Tax.
| Summary of Cover | Standard | Excess | Super | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Accident | Up to £10,000 | N/A | Up to £25,000 (£50,000 in flight) | N/A |
| Medical & Air Ambulance | Up to £2,000,000 | £50 | Up to £5,000,000 | £50 |
| Hospital Benefit | £15 per day up to £700 | N/A | £30 per day up to £1,000 | N/A |
| Baggage & Personal effects Single item limit Valuables limit in all Delayed Baggage | Up to £1,000 £200 £500 £50 per 12 hours up to £150 | £50 | Up to £2,000 £350 £700 £75 per 12 hours up to £255 | £50 |
| Money and Travel Documents Cash Limit Cash Limit under 18 years old | £500 £200 £50 | £50 | £750 £350 £50 | £50 |
| Personal Liability | Up to £1,000,000 | £250 | up to £2,000,000 | £250 |
| Travel Delay | £20 for 1st 12 hour delay & then £10 for each 12 hours thereafter up to £250 | N/A | £30 for 1st 12 hour delay & then £20 for each 12 hours thereafter up to £250 | N/A |
| Cancellation | Up to the contracted holiday cost | £50/£15 Loss of deposit | Up to the contracted holiday cost | £50/£15 Loss of deposit |
| Curtailment | Up to the contracted holiday cost | £50 | Up to the contracted holiday cost | £50 |
| Missed departure | Up to £500 | N/A | Up to £750 | N/A |
| Legal Advice & Expenses | £10,000 | N/A | £10,000 | N/A |
| Hijack | No cover | N/A | £100 per day up to £1000 | N/A |
| Ski Equipment Owned Single Item Limit Hired equipment limit in all Ski Hire | £500 £350 £250 £20 per day up to £300 | £50 | £750 £500 £500 £20 per day up to £400 | £50 |
| Ski Pack | Up to £75 per day up to £300 | N/A | Up to £75 per day up to £450 | N/A |
| Piste Closure | £30 per day up to £300 | N/A | £40 per day up to £400 | N/A |
| Avalanche Closure | Up to £200 | £50 | Up to £200 | £50 |