Ski trip safety

A copy of our Safety Management System is available online and contains all the information about our accommodation standards and sample risk assessments. This should provide all the information you or your LA requires, but if you have further paperwork in this area, please forward it to us, and we will be happy to complete it on your behalf. Alternatively you may choose to complete it on a preview trip.

Yes, we comply with the current DfE guidance relating to the health and safety of pupils on educational visits. PGL is a founding member of the School Travel Forum which promotes good practice and safety in school travel. We are fully assured members of the STF.

The type of accommodation we use on our programme varies greatly, from 3 or 4 star hotels to the more basic youth hotels, chalets and hostels. All of it, however, has been selected by a senior representative of PGL or an agent acting on our behalf, and we have in place a stringent and externally verified accommodation auditing procedure, full details of which are available in the Safety Management System document.

At Head Office our Ski Operations Manager takes responsibility for staff recruitment and training. Many of our Reps work for us year on year, but around 30-40% of the staff will be new each year and are offered contracts subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance and satisfactory completion of a training course.

Yes, absolutely. At each of our destinations we employ the services of Ski Instructors who are qualified to the high standards set by local governing bodies.

Ski instructors are allocated in the ratio of 1:12 paying pupils. However, some groups choose to take an extra instructor, depending on the split of skiing ability in their group. Please contact our office for details of the cost of an additional instructor.

To ensure maximum benefit for boarding PGL recommends a group size of no more than 8. Please note that additional supplements will apply for snowboarding – please contact our office for details.

All our ski courses include the hire of skis, poles, helmets and boots and PGL is pleased to include the hire of carving skis. Snowboarders have soft boots and boards. All our suppliers are contracted to provide equipment that meets CEN standards or the local relevant standard. Checks are carried out annually by PGL to inspect our suppliers’ equipment.

Local instructors leading activities will hold first aid qualifications and there will be procedures in place to deal with any accident or emergency. The PGL Rep with your group will assist and liaise with all local doctors, hospitals and first aid staff on your behalf. Our staff are aware of procedures to be followed in dealing with an accident or emergency. They will also liaise closely with you to ensure that we comply with your wishes. Records are kept of any accidents or incidents.

You, as Party Leader, are in loco parentis, so are ultimately responsible for their behaviour and welfare. Clear handover and handback procedures should be followed between yourselves and instructors. Our “Code of Conduct” can be found in Appendix 1 of our Safety Management System booklet, and for the sake of the safety and enjoyment of all taking part, should be adhered to at all times.

On arrival your PGL Rep will deliver a fire safety briefing and show you and your party emergency exits and meeting points as well as run through the evacuation procedures. A full fire drill including all children, teachers and party leader may be available on request.

Following Government legislation, all British coaches transporting young people under 16 years of age must be fitted with seatbelts. All UK coaches hired by PGL conform to this requirement. Many European coaches are also fitted with lapbelts, though they are not yet subject to the same rules as the UK. However, the coach transporting you from Britain will fulfil most of the transportation required by your group whilst abroad. Wherever fitted, seatbelts must be worn and it is the Party Leader’s responsibility to ensure children comply with this rule. This also applies across Europe.

In order to comply with EU regulations concerning drivers’ hours etc, there will be two drivers accompanying each coach group.

Extensive winter sports insurance cover is included in the PGL Ski package. It covers each child and adult for the whole period of the trip including travel to and from resort. It also covers all the activities organised by PGL, 24 hour medical assistance and Organiser Liability cover up to £5 million. Full details of our insurance will be supplied at the time of booking.

Yes – we encourage teachers to take advantage of our preview trips and see the accommodation at first hand, or simply find out how a ski trip typically runs, particularly those who are new to PGL. We also host SCO courses designed for Party Leaders.

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A major initiative to help you meet your obligations

PGL Travel Ltd is an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum.

The School Travel Forum is a group of leading school tour operators who promote good practice and safety in school travel. All Assured Members of the STF adhere to a rigorous Code of Practice and Safety Management Standards which meet the requirements of DfE guidelines and are externally verified each year by suitably qualified independent Health and Safety professionals. During the course of developing the STF Code of Practice, and in addition to liaising with the DfE, advice has been sought from all leading educational Unions and Associations. The STF initiative has the support of the SHA, NAHT, ATL, PAT and is welcomed by the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel. The principles on which it is based have the support of the NUT, and the NASUWT advises members wishing to organise school trips to use companies that have this type of scheme.

Details of the School Travel Forum Code of Practice are available from www.schooltravelforum.com