Your journey

Plan and pack for a safe journey

• Leave your travel details with your next of kin or an emergency contact.
• Pack according to the climate and follow the luggage policy of your transport provider.
• Carry a supply of medication in your hand luggage.
• Check if there are restrictions on medication you intend to carry.
• If travelling with children, carry baby formula, nappies etc. and items such as books or a game to keep children occupied.
• Keep a copy of your ID pages of your passport somewhere safe throughout your holiday.
• Allow sufficient time to get to the airport/port/station.

Be aware and safe

• Never leave children unsupervised.
• Take extra care in bright sunlight as it may not be obvious whether the windows or patio door are open or closed.
• Surfaces such as tiles or marble floors can be very slippery.
• If you’re self-catering, check how the cooking appliances work and ensure they are switched off when you leave your apartment or go to bed.
• If smoking is permitted, ensure that all smoking materials are safely extinguished and never smoke in bed.
• If your property has an open fire, use with care and use the fireguard. Do not dry clothes by placing them near an open fire.
• Keep your key by your bed when sleeping or leave the key in the inside of the door whilst locked. 
• If you smell gas, report it. Black sooty marks or stains, lazy orange flames and excessive condensation in the room could indicate a faulty gas appliance.

If fire occurs

• Evacuate the room/area immediately – don’t stop to collect personal belongings. Use the nearest escape route.
• Close any doors behind you.
• Raise the alarm.
• Go to the assembly point.
• If you can’t leave your room, close all doors, put wet towels or clothes round the door seals, telephone reception and shout for help from the window.

Balconies, corridors and walkways

• Beware of snow and ice on balconies and walkways, making surfaces slippery.
• Take care when walking along corridors and walkways.
• Never leave children unsupervised on balconies.
• Don’t climb or stand on balcony furniture. Keep all furniture away from the balcony wall/railings.
• Never lean over, sit or climb on the balconies or walkway wall/railings.
• Don’t leave skis or other equipment on the balcony.
• Don't try to pass items to someone on another balcony or climb from one balcony to another.
• Before closing the door whilst on the balcony, check that there is a handle on the outside.

Accidents and illness

• If you or one of your party fall ill or have an accident during your holiday, seek medical advice and report it to the reception, your travel provider, representative or their local agent.

Swimming pools and saunas

Swimming pools

• Read the pool rules before you swim and remember, most holiday accommodations do not employ lifeguards.
• Always obey the facility rules and signage.
• Check the pool layout to know where the deep and shallow ends are, especially before jumping or diving in. Never dive into water less than 1.5m deep.
• Shower before entering the pool.
• Don’t jump or dive from any raised features or from poolside furniture.
• Don’t swim if suffering from an upset stomach. Leave 48 hours before entering the pool following a stomach-related illness.
• Don’t swim immediately after a meal and never swim when you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Check the hours of pool operation and never use the pool when it is closed.
• In the event of an emergency, know how and where to get help.
• Children in and around the pool area should be supervised by an adult at all times and never left unattended even if a lifeguard is present.
• Don’t change nappies at the poolside.
• Young children and babies should wear appropriate swimwear e.g. rubber-lined swimming trunks.
• In the event of a faecal accident in or around the pool, report it immediately.

Sauna and spa pool facilities

• Follow all instructions for using the sauna and spa pool facilities.
• Do not use the sauna or spa pool if you are pregnant or suffer from high blood pressure or heart conditions.
• Drink plenty of water and rest after a sauna to avoid dehydration.

Out and about

Be aware of snow and large icicles falling from gables and the top of buildings.

• Take care when walking on icy and slippery roads and paths.
• Do not walk across frozen lakes, ponds or streams.

Care in the sun

• The sun is much stronger at altitude. Ensure you apply a high factor sunscreen to your face, neck and ears regularly even on a cloudy day and reapply frequently.
• Take extra care with children in the sun.
• Always wear sunglasses or goggles to protect against snow blindness.

Care in the cold

• A base layer is advisable on the piste and out in resort. Hat, gloves and appropriate clothing is essential.
• Skiwear may be fitted with avalanche finders; check your ski gear for RECCO reflectors inside and out.
• Take note of cable car, lifts and funicular closing times, and avoid being stranded far from your accommodation.

High altitude acclimatisation

• Some ski resorts are situated at such a high elevation that the humidity and limited oxygen available can cause a variety of symptoms and illnesses such as shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, dehydration, constipation, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, headache.
• If travelling to high altitude resorts you should allow sufficient time to acclimatise. Generally, the symptoms of altitude will disappear as the body adjusts.
• For the first couple of days, eat lightly and drink plenty of liquids (two or three times more water than usual), avoid alcohol and caffeine, get plenty of sleep, limit salt and increase carbohydrate consumption.
• The use of hot tubs and saunas will accelerate the dehydration process.
• If you feel unwell, seek medical assistance.

The International Ski Federation’s FIS Rules of Conduct

1. Respect for others: A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he or she does not endanger or prejudice others.
2. Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding: Every skier or snowboarder must move in control. He must adapt the speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.
3. Choice of route: A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such a way not to endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.
4. Overtaking: A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.
5. Entering, starting and moving upwards: A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.
6. Stopping: Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move and clear the slope as soon as possible.
7. Climbing and descending on foot: A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the slope.
8. Respect for signs and markings: Skiers and snowboarders must respect all signs and markings.
9. Assistance: At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty-bound to assist.
10. Identification: Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

Excursions

• Always book excursions through a reputable supplier; ask your representative or travel provider for more details.

Pedestrians and driving

• Be aware that in some countries traffic isn’t required to stop at pedestrian crossings.
• Carry a touch when walking on unpaved or unlit roads during the hours of darkness.
• Ask the car hire company about the traffic laws and any specific local rules e.g. carrying a breathalyser in France, and a spare pair of glasses in Spain before driving.
• Check that your car hire insurance is adequate for the driver and all passengers.
• Always wear a seat belt.
• Always carry emergency/breakdown telephone numbers.
• Never drink and drive.
• It is strongly advised that you don’t hire mopeds or motorbikes.
• It is strongly advised that you don’t independently hire quad bikes.

Using a taxi or minicab

• Never accept a lift from an unlicensed taxi, a stranger or someone you don’t completely trust.
• Try to share a taxi with a friend.
• Always sit in the back of the taxi, and if you chat to the driver don’t give them any personal details. 

How to have a safe and healthy holiday in the snow z-card

The above information is also available as a handy credit card-sized z-card to take on holiday with you. Ask your ABTA Member travel company to order you one through our Marketing toolkit. It can also be downloaded as a PDF below.