FAQs

What’s the most family-friendly ski resort for my family?

All of our ski resorts are chosen for their family-friendly hotels, ski areas, facilities and transfer times. Our full in-resort services run in the resorts of Arosa, Flims, Lenzerheide and Zurs throughout the keys weeks of the ski season with children’s programmes running for all ages from 4 months onwards, for an extra seamless family ski holiday.

When is the best time of year to book a ski holiday

We receive interest from skiers to secure their arrangements throughout the year and in some cases clients books their holiday plans more than 12 months in advance to ensure they get the particular accommodation they want. In our view, it’s never too early to start the conversation, allowing our Travel Consultants to recommend the widest choice of suitable options.

Booking last-minute restricts you to only those options that are left, as well as invariably higher prices for flights, so if you want to secure the best value we recommend booking your skiing before the end of the summer holidays as a rule of thumb. Of course, skiers not restricted to school holiday periods can leave it a little later if they want to see how the snow is looking, and we’ll be more than happy to provide sound advice on the best resorts and conditions for weekends and short breaks nearer the start of the season.

When is the right time to book your first family ski holiday?

It’s never too early with Powder Byrne. With our years of family travel experience, we have developed our children’s programmes for children from as young as 4 months in our award-winning pb crèche. The first experience is crucial though, and for those who are ready at 3 years to take their first tentative steps on the slopes, our carefully designed Yeti Primer programme gives them the ideal start. Over three decades it has been tried, tested and developed by our most demanding clients (the toddlers, of course!).

What if I’m a non-skier?

We have fantastic options for non-skiers such as hiking, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, spa treatments and wine tasting to name but a few. Our competent in-resort teams can organise lunch spots where you can meet up with our ski guiding groups. Our client concierge team will be able to assist with all arrangements prior to and during your holiday.

When is the best time to go skiing?

The ski season operates from November to April in Europe (if the resort has a glacier this tends to be longer. The best time to visit depends on what you are looking for in a skiing experience and your availability. For the best snow conditions, visit in January or February as the resorts usually have a good covering of snow. For warmer temperatures and catching some rays, Easter is a great time to ski, and with our resorts being chosen for their high-altitudes, snow conditions will still be good. That being said, there is something magical about experiencing the mountains over the festive period, with snow-dusted chalets, crackling fires and sensational mountainside food. For those with the flexibility to travel outside of the school holidays, you can expect shorter-lift queues and emptier slopes. There really is no bad time to ski, talk to our travel consultants for some advice on how we can book your best ski holiday.

I am flying on scheduled flights with Swiss. When does online check-in open for my flight?

Online check-in opens on swiss.com 23 hours prior to departure.

What is the hold luggage allowance with Swiss?

If you are flying Economy class the allowance is 1 hold bag up to 23kg per person, including infants. If you are flying Business class the allowance is 2 hold bags up to 32kg per person, for infants in business only 1 hold bag up to 23kg.

I am flying on scheduled flights with British Airways. When does online check-in open for my flight?

Online check-in opens on ba.com 24 hour prior to departure.

What is the hold luggage allowance with British Airways?

If you are flying Economy class the allowance is 1 hold bag up to 23kg per person, including infants. If you are flying Business class the allowance is 2 hold bags up to 32kg per person, for infants in business only 1 hold bag up to 23kg.

 What should I do if I lose my bag?

If you lose your luggage, please make sure that this is reported to the lost luggage handler in the airport, before leaving baggage reclaim. Once this has been done, you should be issued with a report or case number. Once you have this please pass this on to a Powder Byrne member of staff, along with a description of your luggage. Powder Byrne will then organise the returning of your bags directly with the airport handlers.

What should I do when I land at the airport, will anyone be there to meet me?

If you have booked a road transfer through Powder Byrne, you will be greeted at the airport by either your taxi driver or one of our Powder Byrne resort staff members wearing our famous red ski jacket. If you have booked a train or are making your own arrangements and require any extra information on your arrival, please contact our Client Concierge team before travel. In both cases you will be greeted on arrival into your chosen resort by a member of the Powder Byrne team.

What should I do if I can’t find my driver?

If you have booked your road transfer through Powder Byrne you should be greeted by your taxi driver with a name board or a Powder Byrne staff member wearing a red ski jacket. If you cannot locate either of these, please call your Resort Manager on the number provided in your itinerary.

 Will child seats be provided for my transfer?

Yes for all transfers Powder Byrne will provide the appropriate child seats for your transfer type.

Will there be enough space for my luggage?

Powder Byrne will ensure that a large enough vehicle is booked for your transfer including luggage. If you intend to bring large items of luggage such as skis or will have more than 1 hold bag per person, please let our Client Concierge team know pre- travel so that we can organise a larger vehicle.

What does the board basis “Half Board” mean?

Half Board means that guests are entitled to have breakfast and an evening meal within their hotel each day (the evening meal can be exchanged for lunch in certain hotels). The Half Board evening meal tends to be chosen from a set menu.

How do we get to and from the slopes if our hotel or apartment is not ski-in / ski-out?

In our staffed resorts, Powder Byrne offers an on-call shuttle service between the hotels and base lift stations. The only resort where shuttles are not possible is in Zermatt as the village is “car free”, so here local electric taxis are available to book.

Who can join Powder Byrne Ski Guiding?

Any Powder Byrne Adult Guest can join the complimentary Powder Byrne ski guiding service, as long as they are a Powder Byrne Level 3 skier, or above.  Level 3 = Competent blue run skier. Any 14-17 year olds, who are not joining our teen ski programmes, can join guiding as long as they ski with a parent or responsible adult ( a consent form needs to be signed by their parent or guardian)

Do I need to make lunch reservations prior to travel?

As a part of our ski guiding service our ski managers will make lunch reservations for the group; this will be at the most appropriate restaurant according to the ski ability of the group. For the days where there is no ski guiding service, then it is advisable to make a family lunch reservation to avoid disappointment.

Are helmets provided by Powder Byrne for my children?

All children booked into a Powder Byrne ski programme will receive a helmet, which will be in your room on arrival. Please note, children in the Yeti and Yeti Primer programmes will be required to wear the red Powder Byrne helmet for safety and identification purposes.

Do I need to supervise my children at lunchtime?

All children booked into a Powder Byrne children’s programme will be supervised during lunch times. (The cost of lunch is included as part of the Yeti programme. For all other programmes lunch will be paid for locally).  All dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise any requirements prior to travel.  

What are the timings for the Powder Byrne children’s programmes?

Sign in is approximately 8.30am and sign out is at 4.00pm. (Exact sign in and out timings and location will be confirmed to you by our Powder Byrne resort team)

Will my children be taught by a qualified ski instructor?

All Powder Byrne children’s programmes will be taught by a qualified English speaking ski instructor. Our Yeti children will be in a group with a maximum of 8 children and will have a ski instructor and a Powder Byrne Yeti assistant on hand to help.

Do the Powder Byrne children’s programmes operate everyday?

The Powder Byrne children’s programmes operate 5 days a week and there will be a mid-week family day when there will be no children’s ski programmes operating. The only exception to this is the pb Crèche and Yeti Primer as the pb Crèche is open 6 days a week. On the family day, Yeti Primer children will be able to utilise the pb Crèche facilities but they will not have a ski lesson in the morning. Please note, Powder Byrne Crèche is available for children booked into pb Crèche and Yeti Primer.