When lawyers wrote this section, normally called the “fine print”, no one could understand it! We have tried to state the matters in plain language (and larger print).

These Terms and Conditions explain our relationships and responsibilities to each other. These only become important should things go wrong. Since we make strenuous efforts to avoid this situation, we seriously hope that no one ever needs this information, but we urge you to read it so as to avoid any misunderstandings.

The Agreement between us consists of three parts:

1. your signed Confirmation;
2. the Administration Arrangements in the previous section; and
3. the Terms and Conditions in this section.

Please remember that you are entering into an Agreement with our Company that assumes that you fully understand and accept all these matters.

At the date of preparation, all information given in our Confirmations, or in other communications with you, was correct to the best of our knowledge.

This Agreement with you supersedes any earlier communications; they are not part of our Agreement with you. This Agreement is our only agreement with you and cannot be changed except in writing by an authorized Company officer.

Who We Are
The company which is arranging your travel is Ski Marketing Corporation, 2636 Yorktown #321, Houston, Texas 77056, USA. We are incorporated in the State of Texas and use the registered trade names “SkiEurope”, “AustriaSki”, and “AustroTours”. Our telephone number is 713-960-0900. Our fax number is 713-960-8966. Our E-mail address is travel@ski-europe.com.

What You Can Expect from Us
Travel is a distinctly personal experience giving rise to high anticipations. As our guest, we work to help you to achieve your expectations. We are dedicated to uncompromising standards of quality, value and service. We are committed to actively resolving any problems should they emerge.

Our Guarantee To You
We want you to travel with confidence and to be pleased with your travel experience. We guarantee to provide all your travel arrangements as agreed, and if, for any reason, this becomes impossible, we will make our best effort to ensure that you are not just satisfied, but pleased with your travel experience.

Our Role and Responsibility
Our company arranges your travel program. We do not supply the travel service components in the program; these are provided by various companies such as airlines, bus companies, and hotels, which have been identified to you on your travel documents. We act as agents for these suppliers.

We use suppliers which we believe to be reliable. However, each supplier is an independent company with its own management. We do not control the operations of the suppliers and are not responsible for their actions. If you have a mishap, loss or inconvenience with a supplier, you must make a claim with that supplier directly.

Acceptance
We can only provide travel arrangements to those who agree to these Terms and Conditions. When you accept an Agreement, pay money, and accept your tickets and vouchers, you are acknowledging that you have received, read, understand and consented to all these Administration Arrangements and Terms and Conditions.

Group Members
When you accept an Agreement for your group members, you are promising that the Administration Arrangements and the Terms and Conditions will be communicated to, and accepted by every travel participant, and that you are authorized to sign on their behalf. Every member of your group must abide by these Administration Arrangements and Terms and Conditions as if he had signed an Agreement personally.

Travel Risks
Travel involves risks. You voluntarily accept these risks personally. You agree that we are not responsible for any injuries or damages which may occur during your travel, except if we are shown to have committed gross negligence.

Winter Sport Risks
Winter sports are hazardous activities and involve a risk of injury. You voluntarily accept these risks personally. You agree that we are not responsible for any injuries or damages relating to your participation in winter sports activities.

Psychological Satisfaction
We will make our best efforts to ensure that your travel expectations are achieved. However, you agree that we cannot be responsible for any lack of psychological satisfaction in your travel experience.

Our company does not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

Please advise us in writing of any restriction, or circumstance requiring special attention, so that we can try to make the appropriate arrangements for you.

In the interests of the comfort and satisfaction of all members of a travel group, we may decline to accept, or to retain, any person at any time before, and during the travel.

We intend to provide your travel arrangements exactly as we proposed and you accepted. However, by the nature of the travel experience, unexpected inconveniences sometimes arise.

Factors Forcing Changes
In this tumultuous world, external factors beyond our reasonable control may intervene in your travel arrangements. Such factors may include, among other things: disasters, weather conditions, flight or road conditions, changes in law or regulations, currency valuations and restrictions, political events, and so on.

If things of this nature occur, we may have to change travel reservations, prices, and schedules, or even cancel or terminate the travel. We will take such action when we feel that circumstances warrant it, or that it would be in your best interests. Such situations can cause delays resulting in additional expenses, or other consequences. You will understand that we cannot be responsible for these situations and we regret that we are not able to make any refunds for these reasons.

Overbooking, or If We Make Changes
We never intentionally overbook, but sometimes we find that the transportation or the accommodation which you originally requested may not be available. When this situation arises, or if we have to make changes to your travel, we will let you know as early as possible. In these circumstances, we will substitute arrangements of the same, or better, category. If we are unable to provide equivalent alternative arrangements, you may cancel your travel without penalty.

Your Rights as a Consumer
We are members of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston. We participate in the Code of Consumer Rights program, which is limited to companies with a satisfactory business record. We conduct our daily business in accordance with this code. The President of our company is responsible for our adherence to the Code. You are invited to call our President personally if you feel that we are not meeting our obligations to you.

If a Problem Arises
Every one of our staff members is committed to guest satisfaction and has the responsibility to resolve any problem. Please bring any problem to the attention of our staff member. If you are not satisfied with the response, please discuss the matter with our supervisor or manager. Please advise our President in writing within thirty days of any problem which you feel was not resolved in a satisfactory manner.

The companies which provide transportation require that we include the following statements:

“The air carriers and other transportation companies whose services are used in these tours, are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyance.”

“The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract in use by these companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or tour passage.”

“Airline fares are subject to change without notice prior to ticketing.”

“Transportation suppliers retain the right to change equipment and schedules without prior notice.”

Air transportation is in economy class on selected air carriers which are members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and on connecting carriers, as specified in your Confirmation. According to each airline’s service arrangements, inflight meals, drinks, and entertainment will be provided with, or without, extra charge.

SkiEurope will attempt to accommodate your seat preference, but does not guarantee seat assignments.

All flights booked are subject to schedule changes and/or cancellation by the airline, and are not at the control of SkiEurope.

Each traveler is allowed two pieces of checked baggage. The combined total sum of the three dimensions (length plus height plus width) of each piece must not exceed 62 inches, and the maximum weight must not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per piece.

Each traveler is also allowed one piece of unchecked carry-on-baggage which is limited to total dimensions not exceeding 45 inches and weight of 18 pounds (8 kilograms).

The air carriers have a limited liability for all baggage. This responsibility is clearly stated in the passenger contract included on all tickets.

Since air carriers modify baggage allowances periodically, we advise you to check the airline’s webpage prior to your departure.

You may check-in one complete set of skis and poles (or snowboard) and boots as a substitute for one of your two allowed pieces of checked baggage. Even if the equipment is more than one piece (for example, a ski-bag and a boot-bag), it is considered as one piece with total dimensions of 62 inches, irrespective of the actual dimensions. If the ski equipment is in excess of the free baggage allowance, it will incur the normal round-trip excess baggage allowance charge.

Since air carriers modify winter sport equipment allowances periodically, we advise you to check the airline’s webpage prior to your departure.

Transfers between the airport and hotels, and vice versa, are by chartered motor coach, or by second class rail or as otherwise specified in your Confirmation.

Accommodation based on double occupancy of a room with a double bed, or two twin beds, and private bath or shower, in the hotels/properties, unless otherwise specified in your Confirmation. A limited number of small rooms for single occupancy are available for a supplement.

Meals are specified in your Confirmation according to the meal plan you selected. Unless specifically stated, breakfast arrangements are always a continental breakfast buffet. Half-board meal plans include breakfast and fixed dinners daily while at the resort. Only breakfast is included in gateway city hotels.

Your travel includes all taxes and service charges at your destination which are assessed by the government authorities and hotels.

You are responsible for the correctness and validity of your travel documents and that you meet health requirements. We regret that you must pay any additional costs which may occur if these requirements are not met. The following information was correct at the date of preparation but may change. Prior to departure, you should check with the consular representatives of the countries to be visited.

A valid passport is required for entry to European countries and to re-enter the USA and Canada. Some countries require that the passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip.

At the date of preparation, citizens of the USA and Canada do not require entry visas for Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain and Andorra; for any other countries which are included in our itineraries, please check with the consular representatives of the countries to be visited. Visa requirements for citizens of countries other than the USA and Canada should also be obtained from the consular representatives of the countries to be visited.

At the date of preparation, specific immunization vaccinations are not required for travel to Europe or for re-entry to the USA and Canada. You should consult your personal medical adviser concerning your specific health requirements.