Calendar

Kind Regards

Ian Parkinson

2022 Joint Ski Trip Lead
County Powerboat Assessor (GLMW)
District Skills Instructor (Harrow District)
Project Lead Harrow District Activity Club

Tel: 07757 257 644 | Email: ian.parkinson@harrowscouts.org.uk
Online: Website | @HarrowScouts (Twitter) | HarrowScouts (Facebook)
We prepare young people with skills for life.

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From: Ian Parkinson <ian.parkinson@harrowscouts.org.uk>
Date: Thursday, 6 January 2022 at 15:35
To: Tyler Skerton <tyler@harrowscouts.org.uk>
Cc: The Ski Company <hello@skicompany.net>, Sanjay Chandarana <sanjay.chandarana@outlook.com>
Subject: Important Announcement – Easter Ski Trip Update – Change of Plan

Dear All,
We are delighted to announce the NEW Easter 2022 Ski Trip to Crans-Montana Switzerland, Which replaces the planned trip to Folgarida Marilleva, Italy which is now Cancelled.
The New Trip will take place between the 8th – 14th April 2022 and NOT the 1st to 9th of April (i.e. it has moved from first to second week of Easter holidays)

We will now travel by Plane from Heathrow Airport and not by Coach.

We have made these changes in order to:

* Maximise the chances of the trip going ahead.
* Meet international travel and entry requirements (particularly for young people travelling in groups).
* As part of our Covid mitigation measures resulting from our risk assessment.
* To maximise the opportunity for as many people as possible to participate and enhance the experience of attending a great International Scout Ski Experience.

The Trip still includes:

* Return travel to and from Harrow including Flights and transfers
* Hotel accommodation on a full board basis in Crans-Montana
* Ski equipment hire.
* All area Ski Pass
* Five full days of skiing including Ski lessons for all
* A Programme of in resort Après Ski events/activities
* Ski /Travel Insurance including Covid insurance

It also now includes

* Administration and organisation of Covid testing for passenger locator forms.

Number of Places available – We have secured 80 flights, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so please don’t delay ( in the event of over subscription we will allocate places in the following order – Existing Easter Ski trippers – Skiers from the previous Cancelled Christmas Trip- Reserves and standbys – Everyone else.) Same eligibility criteria applies ie you need to member of the Scout Association aged 11 or over. ( Scout, Explorer, Network, Leader)

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International Travel Vaccine and Testing Requirements:
Any international trip requires a certain level of testing and vaccination requirements. Here are the details:

COVID Vaccination Arrangements to enter Switzerland

* For Adults + 16 years + over (16+ years Switzerland regards 16 + as Adults) is that you are fully vaccinated before the trip. (that is you have had 2 x Vaccine doses, currently Switzerland does not require you to have had your booster). We do however recommend that all Adults should take up the opportunity to not only be fully vaccinated but also have their booster. We regret that any adult (16 years and over) unless medical exempt who has not had 2 vaccines – will not be able to travel.
* For Young People 15 yrs & Under– currently there are no vaccination requirements for under 16’s to enter Switzerland provided they are travelling with fully vaccinated adults. We do however recommend that all young people should take the opportunity to be vaccinated as it is presented.

COVID Testing.
Entry to Switzerland (regardless of age) is with proof of a negative lateral flow test from a registered provider taken within 48 hours of Departure. We will provide you with the details, you will be responsible for taking the test and covering the cost, budget for up to £20 per person. We regret that anyone testing positive will not be able to travel – but will be able to reclaim a refund from insurers.

We advise the following before the trip:

* To minimalise contact at least a week before the trip and be mindful of testing positive
* To take a lateral flow test (free form chemist) at 72 hours before the trip to remain confident that you are negative.

If you test positive before the trip, you will need to undertake a PCR and obtain written confirmation that you need to isolate. You will then be able to claim a refund off the insurance.
If you test positive in resort, you will be covered by insurance to isolate in resort and for the relevant adult supervision, accommodation and food etc during the isolation period.

Testing on return to UK.

Following the prime ministers announcement yesterday upon return you will need to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours and if negative you will not need to isolate, if positive you will need to isolate for 7 days.
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Cost of the Trip
We have managed to keep the cost of the trip at £950 (Skiing, accommodation etc.) however, there is a flight supplement of £70 per person, and the cost of additional testing estimated as above at £20 per person..

Next steps

* In order to confirm your place on the trip. You must complete the on line booking form and pay the flight supplement of £70 direct to the tour operator by or on 13th January 2022. We regret that if the online booking form is not completed by midnight on the 13th January your place on the Trip will be automatically cancelled and a refund issued for the money you have paid. We are unable to take late bookings, so please don’t miss the deadline.!!!

* We will issue details of the link to online booking form separately Asap via email and what’s app.

We will host a teams meeting question and answer session on Monday Evening 10th January at 1900 hrs, to answer any questions and provide any updates we will have the tour operator present. Click here to join the meeting

or

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OGYwYTU2MzctZWU0YS00YjdlLWI5NzgtM2E2NDNiNzBlMzc0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b7b1810d-3df0-465a-8448-1cd69cd5782a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%225a98b53a-796a-4cd2-908e-c904d963f577%22%7d

* If you are not already a member of our what’s app group please join via the link to keep up with the latest info. https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEDwUY9ADRVFbgdiJT6mon

I cant emphasise enough what an incredible opportunity this is, not only to travel internationally, but to Ski in the natural beauty of Switzerland, I have skied Crans- Montana myself and it is simply breath taking. A huge thank you to my Co Leaders, colleagues and the tour operator for all their efforts in making this trip finally possible – especially against a background of schools across the UK cancelling their ski trips in droves.

Kind Regards

Ian Parkinson

2022 Joint Ski Trip Lead
County Powerboat Assessor (GLMW)
District Skills Instructor (Harrow District)
Project Lead Harrow District Activity Club

Tel: 07757 257 644 | Email: ian.parkinson@harrowscouts.org.uk
Online: Website | @HarrowScouts (Twitter) | HarrowScouts (Facebook)
We prepare young people with skills for life.