Before you leave

Here are some tips before you set off on your ski holiday, so you can have a stress free journey to our beautiful mountains.

Driving

- Have you got the right snow chains for your car and do you know how to put them on?
- Have you checked your route, do you have a map?
- Have you got a snow scraper or defrost spray for you windscreen?
- Have you got the telephone number for the agency so that you can warn them if you are late and need the keys to be left ?

Route

To avoid traffic jams during French school holidays you can check the following:
Bison futé (French Government organisation which helps motorists plan their journeys, avoid blackspots and get there safely)
http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr

Telephone: 0826 022 022

You can also contact the regional information centres for the Alps and Auvergne: +33 (0)4 72 81 57 3

Health

Check you have taken the necessary precautions:

Insurance:
- Insurance that gives you personal liability cover (against any physical damage caused to a third party or damage to equipment while on the ski slopes)
- Special additional insurance «  ski, snowboard, winter sports activities, repatriation » covering all medical costs ( blood wagon and helicopter evacuation are very expensive especially for someone who is not insured).

A suitable ski resort
Choose a lower altitude resort if you suffer from a heart condition or respiratory problems.  Consult your doctor if you are taking any medical treatment as certain medicines can cause sun related skin conditions due to UV rays.

Possible harmful side effects due to a stay at altitude (over 2500 m) for the following:
- Unstable heart disease 
- Chronic respiratory insufficiency
- Certain blood diseases
- Serious psychiatric conditions

Possible harmful side effects due to a stay at altitude (over 2500 m) for the following:
- Pregnant women in the first and last three months
- Stabilised heart disease
- Chronic bronchitis 
- Children under 18 months
- All illnesses requiring  regular surveillance (eg diabetes)
- Asthma caused by cold or effort.

Physical and mental preparation

Adaptation to altitude is quite easy for those who take part in sport regularly.
If you don't take regular exercise it is recommended to do some preparation at least 3 weeks before your holiday.  Vary your activities if possible during your preparation training: roller blading, cycling, walking, running, swimming or cardiovascular exercise.  This will help you to be in the best condition possible when you get to the ski slopes.
40% of accidents occur during the first 3 days of the holiday due to insufficient physical preparation.  Stretching exercises are recommended before and after skiing.