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Frequently Asked Questions
Cross Country Skiing
About Cross-country Skiing
Hotels in Europe
Travel Arrangements
Prices & Special Offers
| About Cross-country Skiing |
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We use special long, narrow skis for cross-country skiing, boots similar to
running shoes which connect to the skies and long poles. In areas where it is
much colder, such as Norway, we also use wax on the base of the skis, to help
them move more freely on the snow. All the equipment is included within the cost
of your holiday.
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Yes, there is a reduction for bringing your own skis, shoes and poles. This
discount isn't available on-line. To book call our Reservations Team on 0845 470 7558.
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Good general fitness is essential for the enjoyment of your holiday and doing
regular stretching exercises for two months beforehand will make a huge difference.
We will send you some sample exercises in your information pack.
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Your Leader will be an experienced cross-country skier, who
will give informal instruction throughout the holiday, rather
than formal lessons at a ski school. As a beginner you will
be introduced to the basic techniques of cross-country skiing
and shown how to glide gently over the snow, before building
up your balance and starting to explore further afield. For
intermediate and more experienced skiers, your Leader will
plan routes and give tips on how to improve your technique.
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Yes, on one day each week, usually the Wednesday, no skiing is organised allowing
you to explore the local area or join in an excursion. You may have the opportunity
to visit beautiful cities such as Salzburg and Verona or try out other winter
sports such as downhill skiing and snow-shoeing.
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If you're unsure whether you would enjoy a whole week of cross-country skiing,
try our Beginners cross-country and winter walking holidays. We divide the week
between these two activities and include half day and full day walks to explore
the local area on foot. If you want to spend the full week on skis, opt for a
Beginners cross-country skiing holiday. This also starts with
the basics and helps you build up your confidence to attempt longer and more challenging
routes by the end of the week.
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All of our resorts are chosen specifically for people trying out cross-country
skiing for the first time, with gentle slopes, well maintained ski trails and
good snow records. They also have a wide range of alternative activities to choose
from if you feel you want to take a break from skiing.
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You don't really need any specialised clothing for cross-country skiing. We
recommend a good waterproof jacket, a couple of fleecy jumpers and plenty of woolly
hats, gloves and scarves. In warmer weather you will feel more comfortable in walking trousers and a light waterproof. You'll also need shoes with a good tread to get around
the resort and some thick socks.
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We use a variety of different means of transport including ski lifts, trains,
taxis, buses and cable cars to travel through the surrounding area. These costs
are payable locally and are not included within the cost of the holiday.
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Loipe are parallel tracks cut into the snow specially prepared for cross-country
skiing. They are often colour coded according to difficulty.
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In terms of fitness, cross-country skiing is broadly equivalent to a full day's
walking in the Lake District.
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These are two very different sports, however if you have experience of skiing
downhill, you are likely to have good balance which will help you to pick up cross-country skiing more quickly. Apart
from different equipment and techniques, cross-country skiing allows you to escape
the busy downhill slopes to enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains in winter.
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Snow-shoeing requires no previous experience and is a wonderful means of walking
across deep snow with minimal effort. As your weight is spread over a larger area,
you don't plunge into the deep snow, instead allowing you to walk with ease on
the surface. It can take a little while to get used to size 20 feet, but in no
time they feel as normal as your walking boots.
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| Hotels |
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We use a wide variety of hotels ranging from small, rural inns to large hotels
with a range of facilities. Our choice of accommodation depends on what is the
most suitable option in the resorts that we visit. Our preference, however, is
for friendly family-run hotels where we know that our guests will be made particularly
welcome.
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Yes - all the rooms at our European hotels have en-suite bathroom facilities.
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Most hotels offer a table d'hôte menu with choices for each course. Where
a set meal is served the menu is seen at breakfast giving you the opportunity
to say in advance if this includes something that you don't like. The dishes may
be local or international in character, depending on the type of guests that form
the bulk of the hotel's business. Continental breakfasts can be quite simple but
in some hotels a more substantial buffet which includes a range of cereals, pastries,
fruit and cold savoury items are offered.
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Most guests choose to buy ingredients for picnic lunches from local shops or
hotel. It may also be possible to eat in a mountain hut or local café -
your Leader will advise you of the daily options.
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Most of the hotels are happy catering for vegetarians, particularly those who
also eat fish. However this can vary from country to country - vegetarianism is
still not well understood in France for example. We recommend that vegetarians
spend a few minutes discussing their requirements with the hotelier or chef.
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Most European hotels don't have facilities in the bedrooms but hot drinks can
be bought from the bar.
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Single rooms are available at all our European hotels, however with single
travellers accounting for 40% of our guests they are always in high demand. We
do our best to secure the largest number of single rooms at the lowest possible
supplements but there can be occasions where demand outstrips supply so our advice
is to book early to avoid disappointment.
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| Travel Arrangements |
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Yes - all the holidays in this brochure are available without flights allowing
you maximum flexibility to drive to the resort or make use of one of the many
'low cost' flights.
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Wherever possible we offer flights from both London and Manchester.
If these aren't suitable then we can usually book connecting
flights from regional airports to either London Heathrow or
Gatwick. Alternatively you can buy our 'no flight' option
and make your own arrangements.
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Yes - simply book our 'no flight' option. Instructions on how to reach the
hotels by car will be sent to you prior to your holiday.
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The transfer is included if you buy your holiday 'with flight'.
If you buy a 'no flight' holiday then you can join the transfer
to or from the hotel on payment of a supplement. If you book
your own flights and would like to join the organised transfer
then you will need to arrive at the airport prior to the main
group flight.
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On each resort page we suggest the best way of transferring independently;
either by train, bus or taxi. More detailed information will also be sent to you
prior to your holiday.
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Usually you'll meet your HF Holidays Leader in the arrival lounge at the arrival
airport - look for their distinctive blue or yellow clipboards.
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We suggest that you contact Holiday Extras at www.holidayextras.co.uk
or Tel: 0870 844 4040 for further information on hotels or car parking.
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The airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham
and Southampton are all directly accessible by train. See www.nationalrail.co.uk
for train times in the UK. Alternatively all the airports can be reached by National
Express coaches - see www.gobycoach.com
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Most airlines require you to check-in 2 hours before your flight.
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This can vary from airline to airline, usually it is 20kg for scheduled flights
and 15kg for charter flights.
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UK citizens will need a valid passport for all our European holidays (except
Jersey and Ireland where you'll need photo ID for any flights). UK citizens don't
need visas for any of our European holidays.
Guests from other countries are advised to check with their relevant embassy,
consulate or tourist office.
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| Prices & Special Offers |
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- Holidays 'with flight' include a return air or rail travel between the UK
and the destination airport or station and a coach transfer to the hotel.
- Half board accommodation - breakfast and evening meal.
- Accommodation in twin en-suite rooms.
- The services of a HF Holidays Leader.
- Service charges and local taxes including UK airport tax.
- Equipment hire, including skis, poles and shoes.
- Ski trail pass (where applicable).
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- Local transport to and from the ski trails and admission fees.
- Transfers between the airport and hotel on holidays without a flight.
- Meals on route, except as provided by airlines.
- Porterage.
- Insurance.
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Yes - it is a condition of your holiday that you have travel insurance. Insurance
for UK residents is available through HF Holidays for:
Up to and including 7 nights: £26 per person
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Yes - there is a reduction for children. Child prices are not available for
on-line booking - To Book call our Reservations Team direct on 0845 470 7558
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Yes - we offer the following discounts for group bookings:
11-19 adults: 5% discount*
20 or more adults: 7½% discount*
*Discounts will not apply to travel agent bookings or in conjunction with any
other offers.
Group prices are not available for on-line booking - To Book call our Groups
Department direct on 0845 470 7557 (or outside the UK on +44 20 8732 1260).
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