Category : Latest News

The winter weather is due to return with a vengeance this weekend. If you’re flying out for the Christmas period we’ve got a “Plan B” to help you avoid early morning traffic jams or airport terminal mayhem from delayed flights.

Heavy snow disrupts UK airports

Although snow and ice can be festive and fun, it’s a royal pain in the behind when you need to get from A to B. With that in mind we recommend you jetsetters book into one of our warm and cosy airport hotels before your flight.

Great airport hotel savings

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation …If the winter weather does become an issue, you’ll stand a better chance of catching your flight if you’re booked into a hotel that’s located near to the airport terminal. For the latest prices check out our live airport hotel prices*, or follow one of the links* below:

UK Airport hotel and parking packages

If you’re driving to the airport, a combined airport hotel and parking package can cost you little more than airport parking alone!

Grab the right level of Travel Insurance

If there’s one tip we can give you for travelling this christmas, it’s ensuring that your travel insurance covers delay and cancellations due to bad weather. Always check the small print as not all policies cover all losses as a result of weather disruption.

*Prices correct as at 17 December 2010 15:53

We’re pleased to announce the winner of our Snow+Rock £100 voucher giveaway is Mrs. Trudi Walsh! Perfect timing to stock up on winter woolies as the snowy weather draws in again. I’m a little jealous, Trudi!

Try your luck next time

All Trudi had to do was like gosimply’s Facebook and enter her name and email address on our competition page. If you missed out – don’t worry we’re running more exciting competitions in 2011. Keep track of them via Facebook, Twitter or the gosimply blog!

Don't Despair! We are running more competitions in 2011

A little something to help you travel this winter

If you’re off travelling this winter, you can still grab yourselves some cheap travel insurance. We offer various deals from winter sports insurance to backpackers insurance. Each offer tailor made activities and extras, so not only are you covered for what you need, but all at a price that’ll have you yodelling our praises from the mountain tops.

Hoping you all have a safe and Merry Christmas! From the gosimply team.

Snow is falling and we’re feeling the Christmas spirit at gosimply HQ. With that in mind we’ve got a festive giveaway for you – simply enter our lucky draw for your chance to win £100 in Snow and Rock Vouchers.

Christmas Wishes with a £100 Lucky Draw - courtesy of gosimply.com

Snow and Who?

Surely you’ve heard of “Snow and Rock”? No? Well, head on over to snowandrock.com to check out some of their awesome products. If you’re off on a winter holiday or know someone that is ski mad (or just a lover of the rugged outdoors for that case), then this is definitely for you!

It’s quick, easy and best of all free

Head on over to our lucky draw, follow us on Facebook, enter your details (so we can contact you if you win), and in a little under 2 weeks, you could be receiving an early Christmas gift from us nice chaps and chapesses at gosimply.com.

There’s more…

With festive tunes playing in the office and an overwhelming desire to spread some goodwill we wanted to give you that little bit more. For those jetting off in search of some winter sun (when the airports open again!) we’re offering 10% off our airport lounges. To activate the discount click here then enter XMAS10 before searching for your dates and airport.

* 10% discount code for airport lounges only available for bookings made before 31st December 2010. Free Lucky draw closes 15th December 2010.

Oh, and if you’ve just joined us, or missed any of the series, here’s some links to our Winter Sports and Ski Insurance Tips:

• Part 1 – Top Tips for Winter Holidays and Ski Insurance
• Part 2 – Top Ski Resorts and Accommodation Options
• Part 3 – What to do before you hit the Ski Slopes
• Part 4 – Safety on the piste for skiers and snowboarders
• Part 5 – Apres Ski – 7 Things to do without your Skis!

Until next time!

Winter wonderland or driving nightmare?

Tweet before you leap

Avoid becoming a statistic. Last year saw thousands of travellers stranded in their cars for hours, and even days. Missing a work day isn’t great, but missing your flight for a well-deserved holiday just sucks. Keep up to date with these tools and you’ll soon be sunning yourself on the beach rather than shivering in the cold.

• Airport Twitter Feeds – Most UK airports have Twitter accounts that they update regularly informing of delays and closures.
• Airport Telephone Numbers – Unsure of airport closures? Give them a ring before you jump in the car.

Pimp your ride before you drive

On a normal day the airport may only be an hours drive away, but snow and ice can turn the simplest of journeys into a living nightmare. With a few of these simple precautions, you can be prepared for almost any situation.

Check your car's credentials before setting off

• Check your engine coolant. Ensure that your vehicle has the right amount of anti-freeze to deal with the dipping temperatures.
• Top up your windscreen fluid. If in doubt a little more windscreen cleaning fluid is better than too little – it’ll stop it freezing.
• Fill up your tank. A full fuel tank is a must – if you get stuck or stranded, the fuel in the tank is all that you have to keep the in-car heaters running.
• Stay snug as a bug in a rug. Pack a blanket and ensure you have warm clothing. It sounds extreme but many that got stuck last year for a day or more wish they had.
• Charge your phone and grab an in-car charger. There’s nothing worse than a low battery when you need it most.
• Pack some snacks and drinks. A stash of flapjacks and some non-alcoholic drinks will see you through until help arrives.
• Snow chains might help. Last year saw a boom in the sales of snow chains in the UK. If you own them or plan to buy some, do you know how to fit them?

It’s as simple as A to B – or is it?

Work out 2 or 3 alternative routes to your destination so that if you do hit a dead end, you already know what alternative options are open to you.

Oh deer!

Road closures and diversions are a common occurrence when the snow arrives. There’s always a good chance that the most direct route may become impassable for one reason or another. Before setting out, quickly check some of the near real-time traffic services to find out which routes are open and where traffic is flowing freely.

• Michelin Traffic News
• Traffic England Updates
• AA Traffic News

Driving on the slippery stuff

Driving in fresh snow isn’t great but it becomes a lot trickier as it compacts, turning to ice. You don’t have to be a world class rally driver, simply follow these simple tips and you’ll stand a better chance of reaching your destination trouble free.

Winter is not the time to drive like Lewis Hamilton

Don’t brake if the car starts sliding. Even if they’re anti-lock. Straighten your wheels then ease off the accelerator, this should help transfer the weight forward and help you to regain traction.

Don’t accelerate if you’re stuck in the snow. An ice patch will form under the tyres making it harder to get out. Try pulling out your floor mats and shove them under your tyres. Rock the car back and forth gently to get your wheels on the mats, then gently accelerate off. You may have other items in the boot that you may be able to use such as a camping blanket.

Don’t tailgate the car ahead in low visibility. Although following the brake lights of the car in front is an attractive idea – it’s a recipe for disaster. Turn on your low beam headlamps and fog lights. Dim interior lights including dashboard instruments if you can as this will help with exterior visibility. Probably the most important thing is if you can’t see the road, pull over. If you can’t see the road ahead or the road signs, it’s too dangerous. You may only need to wait for a short time before being able to resume your journey.

For more tips on driving in winter weather, check out the following websites:-

• AA Winter Driving Advice
• BBC: How to drive in snow and icy weather

Spend a little, save a lot

Protect yourself from financial losses or expensive bills by investing in some decent travel cover. No matter how well prepared you are, there’s no telling how bad the weather may get or how other vehicles around you will react.

Don't get caught out, get covered by the AA - not snow!

Get Breakdown Cover. Most cover and rescue services are well equipped to deal with roadside breakdowns and if things can’t be fixed, depending on the level of cover you have, they’ll even tow you to your destination or back to your home address, even if it is across the other side of the country.

• The AA
• RAC
• Green Flag

Grab your Travel Insurance. A good travel insurance policy is a must as these should cover you if you’re not able to reach the airport because of weather conditions or an accident. When taking out a travel insurance policy, read the small print or ask to make sure that these situations are covered.

Be wary of abandoning your car

If you get stuck in snow just a few miles from home or your destination, you might be tempted to continue your journey on foot. One word of warning – during last years heavy snow, thousands of stranded drivers found themselves with unexpected bills after their vehicles were towed away and put into storage.

And finally…

If you do get stuck in the snow don’t do this!

This week’s entry takes a look at some of the apres-ski fun that you can find at most winter resorts… okay so some of them will involve your skis, but they don’t have to!

1) Mush, Mush, Mush!

Dog sledding is one of the most popular winter activities whilst also being a local competitive sport. Driving the dogs or ‘mushing’ is a special skill, but it’s easy to learn the basics and anyone can have a go.

Norway's popular alternative to Dog Sledding!

Many resorts have dog sleigh routes which are suitable for families, corporate groups and couples of all ages. If you don’t fancy mastering the “mush”, an alternative way to experience the alpine scenery is aboard a horse drawn sled, snuggled under a warm blanket with a cup of cocoa. Guide prices from £40 for an hour for up to 4 people.

2) Snow Mobiling for the Fast and the Furious

If you’re looking for an adrenaline fueled way of letting go in the snow, then there’s nothing more satisfying than ripping through the snow in one of these snow beasts!

High Speed thrills with a Snow Mobile ... is that Eddie the Eagle or The Stig?

3) The Thrill of the Night

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the Midday Sun, but Snow Fanatic’s and Thrill seeker’s Ski in the Midnight Moon!

Enjoy the thrill of Skiiing at Night

Most resorts offer night skiing for a small additional charge but normally only occur once a week. If you don’t fancy participating, resorts often have torch lit parades. It’s an amazing site to see a stream of skiers heading down the slopes in near darkness with tourches held high. This used to be done with flaming tourches but more often than not is now done with battery operated lanterns.

4) Sight Seeing and Skiing from Dizzy Heights

Jump on-board a scenic helicopter tour to explore the mountains and glaciers as you’ve never seen them before, or hop off and ski down from the top!

Heli-skiing, a once in a lifetime opportunity... if you have the cash!

Mountains and glaciers are stunning places but viewing them from a helicopter will take your breath away and leave you with life long memories – the only draw back? You’ll have to put at £150 aside for a basic Heli package!

5) Check out the Local Culture

Whilst your focus might be carving some shapes in the snow capped mountains, don’t forget to check out the local culture – you might be missing a trick or two!.

A bit of culture with Ice sculptures at Grotte de Glace, Les Arcs

One such example lies at the top of the Transarc gondola in Arc 2000 where you’ll find the Grotte de Glace. At the start of each season, sculptors from across Europe come here to hand-carve amazing figures out of the snow and ice. Each year, the caves have a different theme, like past years’ Terracotta Army, Chinese dragons and even Attila the Hun!

6) Shop Till You Drop

Those in need of a little après-ski retail therapy can choose from fashionable shops, boutiques, coffee shops and bars at most trendy ski resorts, also handy if you’re looking to loose your wife or partner for a few hours… just keep hold of your wallet!

A bit of retail therapy for the off-piste enthusiast

7) Relax and Soothe those Aching Muscles

Hot Springs and Spa’s are a great way to relax after skiing with some resorts offering out-door spa’s and bathhouses set against spectacular backdrops of alpine scenery. Sooth aching and tired muscles in the comfort of the soothing hot waters – soak in the epson salt baths, take in a massage from classically trained aestheticians, or get covered in a hot mud wrap, one of the most decadent treatments available.

There's nothing better than a long social soak after a hard days graft on the slopes!

Be sure to check out our earlier post, where we looked at a few of the top ski resorts and a little of what to expect from each one. Join us next week when we look back over the blog series and offer you a chance to Win £100 of Snow and Rock Vouchers.

This week’s Winter Sports blog looks at safety and what you can do to avoid accidents and any unfavourable situations whilst on the slopes. If you’re a newbie to the piste or want to brush up on your ski etiquette, don’t forget to check out last week’s post on what to do before you hit the ski slopes.

Keep cool in unfavourable situations, be safe and have fun!

From those little niggles to some of the more serious scenarios, here are some more top tips to help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.

1. Prevention is better than cure!

Ski within your means and be aware of other slope users to avoid a painful accident.

2. Skiing can be tiring so take time out

Tiredness and Fatigue are one of the main catalysts of accidents. Don’t wait until you feel tired, take regular rests and grab a bite to eat

Skiing can be a tiring business. Make sure you grab a break now and then

When you’re on the slopes it’s not always obvious when energy levels start to drop. Skiing and snowboarding is an exhausting activity, ensure that you have regular stops to top up on fluids and some sort of energy snack to see you safely through the day.

3. Respect other slope users

You may be on holiday, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your manners at home! Simple as it may sound, ski slopes can be busy places with fast and slow moving traffic. Basically, treat it like a motorway and don’t do silly things that are likely to endanger others.

Treat a Ski slope as you would a Motorway

• Ski within your ability. Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and to the general conditions on the mountain. Not doing so is one of the quickest ways to an accident and injury.
• Skiers and snowboarders in front have priority. Make sure you leave enough space.
• Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier/snowboarder. If they suddenly turn or stop, you’ll still have space to manoeuvre.
• If merging into a marked run, treat it like a road. Look up and down the mountain before entering to get an idea of what’s happening around you.
• If you need to stop, stop at piste’s edge. You’re less likely to be in the way and more likely to be avoided by other skiers and snowboarders.
• Take note of piste signs and markers. Like any road network, pistes have signs and markings that should be obeyed. They are there for your safety and the safety of other people on the slope.

4. Tips for Skiing or Snowboarding off-piste

Off-piste areas are NOT protected from alpine dangers, so extra care must be taken!

Be mindful of avalanche warnings when skiing off-piste

• Check that your insurance covers off-piste activities
• Look for signs around the ski area which will warn you when avalanche danger is present.
• Even when there is no warning of avalanches, there could be local snow slides.
• Unless you know an area well, only ski/board off-piste with a guide (in the USA, skiing/boarding “out of bounds” without a guide can lead to confiscation of your lift pass).
• If in doubt, stay away and stick to the main piste slopes.

5. What to do if there is an accident

The recognised sign for a piste accident is a pair of crossed skis or a snowboard planted in the snow at least 5 metres above the accident area. If necessary, post someone up the hill to give warning to others and prevent anyone from colliding and causing more damage.

Would you know how to administer first aid, like these guys?

A little bit of First Aid goes a long way
This is where a St John’s First Aid course would come in handy. If the accident is of a more serious nature use these rules to aid the injured:

• Circulation – check for a pulse
• Check that the person’s airway is clear and they are breathing
• Assess the general condition of the casualty
• Do not move them if the injury is obviously back, neck or head-related
• Try to stop any serious bleeding by covering the wound and applying firm pressure
• Provide warmth, but give nothing to eat or drink, especially alcohol
• Do not offer painkillers if you have them

If required, contact the rescue services A.S.A.P
In the event of a more serious accident it’s important to stay calm and contact the rescue services giving clear details of:

• Place of accident (piste name and nearest piste marker)
• Number of people injured
• Type of injury

Ultimately, the safety and well-being of the injured person is your priority, but if you’re able to collect these additional pieces of information it will help if there is police involvement:

• Names and addresses of people involved and of witnesses
• Place, time and circumstances of accident
• Terrain, snow conditions and visibility
• Markings and signs

By following these few simple rules, you’ll hopefully stay safe on the slopes, and if you do come across an accident, you should be able to offer some help.

6. Get the right level of Travel Insurance cover

Accidents do happen. Don’t get caught out with expensive medical bills, make sure your travel insurance caters for your Winter Sports activities.

Be prepared, don't get lumbered with hospital charges

We’ve said it before, but we’re going to say it again. Getting adequate winter sports travel insurance is probably the single most important thing to have in place. For little more than the cost of a nice meal, good insurance cover will not only help with inconvenient issues like stolen or broken equipment; it could also be a life-saver, ensuring that you get prompt and adequate medical treatment without delay, if needed.

Next week…

Join us for the penultimate post in this series where we’ll be looking at apres-ski activities around the resort and sharing some fun pastimes that will provide fun for kids, couples, groups and families.

See you next week!