Skiing Operators

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Skiing Skiing Operators Powder Byrne 

	Powder Byrne
250 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 6TG			MAP
tel: (020) 8246 5300

Up-market family operator for both summer and winter holidays focusing on personal service provided by resort teams. Accommodation is in hotels in Swiss, French and Austrian resorts.

Non-smoking rooms

Yes in some hotels.

Care in same hotel

The creche is based in one hotel per resort. Children's clubs operate out and about.

British-qualified staff

In pb creches NNEB/CACHE or equivalent.

Staff to child ratio

6 months to 3 years 1:3; 4-14 years 1:7.

Ages to qualify

6 months to 15 years.

Childcare

pb (6 months to 3 years) qualified nursery nurses provide a fun and stimulating environment for babies and toddlers. £225/child/week ex lunch six days a week 9am-4pm including lunch On sunny days includes care outdoors.
Care for older children is available in conjunction with ski lessons.

Exclusive ski lessons in English

Yes, generally 9am to 4pm five days a week on specific weeks of the season. Instructors, particularly for the younger age groups, specialise in childcare and tuition.
Yeti Primer (3 years) a gentle introduction to skiing, operating in the resort of Flims throughout the season, and February half term in Grindelwald and Arosa. £335/child/week inc lunch.
Yeti Club (4 to 9 years) Exclusive ski instruction for Powder Byrne non or inexperienced skiers with nursery slope instruction with qualified, local English speaking instructors plus games on and off skis. From £335/child/week inc lunch or at Zermatt £355, and Courchevel £365.
SnoZone (10 to 14 years) Exciting club for confident red run skiers aimed at improving technique. From £335/child/week ex lunch or at Zermatt £330 and at Courchevel £340.
BoardZone (10 to 14 years) programme to teaching snowboarding in Flims. £315/child/week ex lunch or £330 at Zermatt or £340 at Courchevel, excluding lunch.
Martin Bell Ski Camps (11 to 15 years) combined technique training with free skiing in Zermatt with former Olympic skier Martin Bell and his assistants. £345/child/week ex lunch.
All children in Yeti Club and SnoZone are required to wear a Powder Byrne helmet for their protection and ease of identification. Children in Yeti Club must also wear a special Yeti Club bib (provided locally) to ensure they can be easily recognised by our staff.
Groups are kept as small as possible and well below the ski schools maximums though actual sizes may vary depending on the ability and mix of children.

Babysitting

Available in resort and subject to availability (so book as far ahead as possible) with a Powder Byrne member of staff. Payable locally.

Other

A nanny will contact you in the UK before departure to check requirements and give any local information and answer questions on the pb creche and services. A questionnaire is sent at the time of booking requesting information on your child and any special needs and requests.
Early suppers are available during Yeti weeks at specified hotels Other hotels may also be able to arrange early children's meals but these are not supervised by Powder Byrne staff. On two evenings during the Yeti weeks at the Yeti hotels there are videos for the children in Yeti Club while their parents have supper. These run from the end of Yeti supper at 7pm for around two hours.
Most baby supplies such as nappies, formula milk and jars of food can be purchased locally. Clients wanting a particular brand are advised to take their own or contact the Nursery Nurse in resort prior to the trip.
You can also take your own nanny. Special accommodation can be arranged, prices on request.

Adult guide price

£1,409 for a peak week in February in Flims with full board.

Child Offers

Some hotels offer free accommodation if sharing with parents. Under 2s travel entirely free and outside school holidays the creche is free.