| Final Payment |
When do I make my final payment? |
If you have only paid the 50% deposit for the holiday, you need to settle the remainder at least 6 weeks before your arrival date. |
| Questions |
What if I have any questions during our stay? |
A comprehensive list of questions and answers follows. If yours is not here, please ask our management company, VIP, or the Tourist Office. If they cannot resolve them, please phone us on 07879 273837. |
| Arrival |
What time can I arrive? |
We ask that you arrive between 16.00 and 17.30 to ensure that the apartment can be checked prior to your arrival and so that you can pick up the key and linen/towels, if needed. If arriving outside these times, please let our management company know so they make alternative arrangements with you. See also supermarkets re food and toiletries. |
| Arrival |
What happens on arrival? |
You collect key and linen from the management company's office. You pay them for any linen/towels. If you have paid in CHF, they will ask you to leave a returnable deposit, usually CHF 200 by credit card. You are given a 3 part form, top copy yellow that needs to be returned within 24 hours if any items are missing from the apartment on your arrival. |
| Bedlinen |
What size are the beds if I take my own sheets? |
All are standard singles but the two in the main bedroom are pushed together and would take linen for a 6ft wide double. COntinental Quilts and pillows are provided. (The double has 2 single quilts.) There is a washer dryer in the laundry room downstairs for you to wash your clothes, towels and bedding if needed during your stay. |
| Bedlinen |
How much does it cost to hire bedlinen and towels? |
It costs approx CHF20 per person. You collect them when you collect the key and return them to the office after your stay. If it is open, there is a large laundry bag in Reception. If it is closed, just deposit them in a bag through the grating in the ground just outside the office. |
| Bicycle Hire |
How much does it cost and where do we hire from? |
Approx CHF40 for one day and approx CHF150 for 6 days. Bikes can be hired from Fragniere Sports during the main Summer season and VIP in Spring and Autum. |
| Car |
Children in cars. |
All children under the age of 12 must sit in the backseat of the car and have appropriate seating for their age. |
| Car |
Do I have to have snow chains? |
Yes, between November and April you may need them. In some months it is a legal requirement to carry snow chains and also a warning triangle at all times. For road conditions telephone 0900 571234 or 163, also www.tcs.ch |
| Car |
What are the speed limits in Switzerland? |
As at April 2004 - Unless otherwise marked, on main roads the maximum is 100kph, Motorways 120kph and city limits 50kph.
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| Car |
What is the alcohol limit? |
At April 2004, 0.8mg per ml but do check with the swiss embassy, www.swiss.embassy.org.uk. |
| Car |
Where can I park if none at appt? |
The apartment has its own designated space Y120 in front of Balcons du Soleil 2 & 3. There are also some unallocated spaces behind Balcons du Soleil 1that are free of charge. Additional spaces in other car parks are available from VIP at additional cost of CHF70 per week and are situated either under Hotel Chalet Royal, under VIP, or at end of high street. DO NOT JUST PARK ANYWHERE - THERE ARE TRAFFIC WARDENS |
| Cleaning |
What happens about cleaning? |
You can do this yourself - see pink instructions in apartment or VIP will do it for a charge of CHF180 - see blue instruction sheet. |
| DVD Player |
How do I operate the DVD Player? |
Ensure TV and DVD Player are turned on. Then, just insert a DVD into the player and it will play automatically. |
| Departure |
What happens at departure? |
On arrival you are given a departure form which you need to complete and return to advise of your departure time at least 2 days before you leave. This allows them to inspect the apartment and return your deposit, if paid in CHF. You also need to return your used linen/towels to the office. |
| Doctor |
Where is the doctor and what time are they open? |
The Doctor and Pharmacy are in the High Street by La Taniere restaurant. It is open in the Winter from 8.30am to 11.30am and 4pm to 6pm. In the summer it is open from 9.30am to 12 noon. |
| Electricity |
What is the voltage and do I need an adaptor? |
The voltage is 230v. UK appliances are designed to work on this. We have supplied an iron and a hairdryer but if you are taking other appliances, you will need to take an adaptor that has the european 2 pin plug on it. |
| Gondolas |
How long do they take? |
Veysonnaz to top station - 15 minutes. Mayens de l'Ours to top station - 10 minutes. |
| Hairdryer |
Hairdryer |
There is a hairdryer in the bedroom for your use. |
| Heating |
How is the apartment heated? |
The apartment has underfloor heating which keeps it wonderfully warm in winter. It is not controlled by a thermostat so, if it is too hot or cold for you liking, please ask our management company VIP o come and alter the temperature for you. |
| Laundry |
How can I wash something? |
Washing machines are on ground floor. Cost CHF 1.60 in coin slot. Need to buy own powder. There is an iron and ironing board in the apartment for your use. |
| Management Company |
What are the opening times for the management company? |
Winter - 8am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5.30pm Sunday to Friday, 7am to 7pm on Saturdays. Summer - 8am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5.30pm Sunday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. |
| Postal |
Where can I buy stamps? |
In the souvenier shop - Le Kiosque, in the main street. |
| Postal |
Where is the nearest Post Box? |
They are yellow - one at the end of the lane at the bottom of the hill or opposite Le Greppon Blanc. |
| Radio/TV |
What English speaking radio stations are there? |
We have not found any yet, but there are some very good French speaking ones that play English music, eg Couleur 3, LAC, DRS 1, Rhone FM. |
| Restaurants |
Which are the best restaurants? |
All that we have tried have very good food and service - see list in apartment folder. |
| Shutters |
How do I open/close the shutters? |
Those in the bathrooms and second bedroom are quite straightforward, just use the long metal catch onto the inside of the shutter. To operate those in the lounge and main bedroom - take the pole by the side of the window; bend the bottom into a handle; turn the handle clockwise or anticlockwise to operate. |
| Skiing |
What are the best runs for children and beginners? |
Those at Thyons, Les Collons and Les Masses. To get to these, go up Veysonnaz gondola, turn left and head between the Tbar and the button lifts. Go down small blue and on round past the Thyon Apartments.(My 5 year old also did the reds of Piste de l'Ours and the Veysonnaz run). |
| Skiing |
Where do we book ski school? |
At the Swiss ski school office in the Tourist Information Office. |
| Skiing |
Where do we buy lift passes? |
Daily at the Kiosk near the Gondola station or in high season at the VIP offices on Saturdays and Sundays only. A photo is needed for 3 days or more. |
| Skiing |
Where does the skischool meet? |
At the top station of the Gondola from Veysonnaz at 9.30 am. We recommend that you catch the gondola by 9.00 am to give you plenty of time to get there. |
| Skiing |
Where is best place to get Skis & Boots? |
All sports shop charge approx the same. Fragniere are nearest to the Gondola and speak good English.
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| Skiing |
Where can I leave Skis & Boots? |
There are indoor lockers by the gondola station that you can hire for approx CHF 50 pw - takes up to 4 sets of skis & boots. There is a lockable ski room at the apartments for you to use free of charge.
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| Skiing |
Where is the nearest ski bus stop and how often do they run? |
See map on pages 30/31 - either up stairs to side of apartment and in front of Les Cretes or at end of road at bottom of hill. Bus is free but you must wave your ski pass at it to stop and then show pass as you get on. Runs every 20 minutes, 8am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm except Satudays. |
| Supermarket |
Where is the best - cheapest supermarket? |
The ones in the village do sell everything that you will need. They are open in the mornings and late afternoon. However, as you might expect, they are more expensive than those in the valley. We recommend that you buy your groceries on the way from the airport at Carrefours in Conthey, just off the motorway, one stop before the city of Sion. Carrefours is open 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 9pm on Friday and 8am to 5pm on Saturday. Closed on Sundays. If you think you may arrive after the supermarkets have closed, it is advisable to buy bread, milk, toilet rolls, soap and whatever you may need for breakfast the next day at La Cote garage/service station on the motorway approx 30km from Geneva airport. |
| Swimming pool |
What times is it open and how much is it? |
The pool is in the Wellness Centre. Opening times are 3pm to 9pm seven days a week. Closed for the months of May and October. CHF5 per person. Additional cost for Sauna, Massages etc.
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| Television |
Are there any English Channels? |
Channel 28 is CNN and channel 29 is BBC Prime TV. |
| Tourist Info |
Where is Tourist Office |
Near the Gondola Station, next to Fragniere Sports normally open 10 to 12 and 2 to 5 on Sat/Sun and 8.30 to 12 and 1.30 to 6 on Monday to Friday. |
| Travel |
How long does it take from Geneva airport to the apartment? |
Under 2 hours for normal journey. In heavy snow, you need to build in a further 2 hours. |
| Travel |
How long does it take from the apartment to Geneva airport? |
Under 2 hours for normal journey. If it snows overnight before you leave, you need to have built in a further 2 hours to ensure that you catch your check in time, 2 hours before your flight time. If it doesn't snow, you could use that extra 2 hours by stopping off somewhere en route, eg Montreux or Lausanne. |
| Video |
How do I operate the video? |
On the TV remote control, switch the AV button to F-AV (press button twice). This is the channel for the video. When finished, press TV button once to return to TV viewing. |
| Village |
How far is it to the village centre and how do I get there? |
You can either: climb the steps on the right hand side of the apartment and walk up a small hill to the main street - this takes about 3-4 minutes - or you can go along the road (down which you will have driven to get to the apartment) and up the steepish hill to the mainstreet - which takes about 10 minutes. |