GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. General Provisions and Scope of Application

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, these Terms and Conditions (hereinafter referred to as the “Terms and Conditions”) in their current version shall apply exclusively to all legal transactions, contractual relationships and legal relations entered into or established between the ski and snowboard school in the Province of Salzburg (hereinafter referred to as the “Ski & Snowboard School”) and its contractual partner (hereinafter referred to as the “Customer”).

Any terms and conditions of the Customer that conflict with these Terms and Conditions shall have no effect on the legal relationship with the Ski & Snowboard School.

The purpose of the Ski & Snowboard School is the operation of snow sports schools within the meaning of the Salzburg Ski School and Snowboard School Act.

In this context, these Terms and Conditions shall apply to all services provided or arranged by the Ski & Snowboard School for the Customer and/or for persons in respect of whom the Customer has entered into a legal relationship with the Ski & Snowboard School (such persons being hereinafter jointly referred to, where applicable, as “Customer” or “Course Participant”).

Services relating to skiing and snow sports include, in particular:

• the provision of instruction (private lessons or group lessons) in the skills and knowledge required for snow sports activities (without any guarantee of a specific training outcome), as well as in the skills and knowledge required for guiding and accompanying snow sports activities, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking and similar activities;
• the provision or arrangement, at the Customer’s request, of ski or snowboard equipment (snow sports equipment) within the framework of, or for the purpose of enabling, instruction (ski or snowboard rental, or rental of all or part of ski or snowboard equipment; hereinafter referred to as “Rental Services”), whereby the Ski & Snowboard School shall be entitled to engage subcontractors (ski or snowboard rental providers) for the provision or arrangement of such equipment;
• related services, including childcare services and associated services (e.g. meals for children)

 

 

2. Offers of the Ski & Snowboard School, Bookings, Offers Made by the Customer, Conclusion of Contract, Price Information and Prices

2.1     All offers made by the Ski & Snowboard School are subject to change and non-binding.

2.2     Bookings for private lessons, group lessons and rental services may be made by the Customer in person on site, via the internet or by telephone.

Bookings or declarations made by the Customer to, or received from, an instructor of the Ski & Snowboard School shall not create any obligation on the part of the Ski & Snowboard School to enter into a contract.

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be obliged to inform the Customer that an offer has not been accepted or that an online booking has been rejected.

If the Customer’s offer is not confirmed within the period specified after receipt of the offer, the Customer’s offer shall in any event be deemed not to have been accepted.

The scope of the contractual services shall be determined exclusively by the written booking confirmation or by the payment receipt or course ticket issued by the Ski & Snowboard School.

Any oral or telephone agreements shall only be valid if expressly confirmed in writing by the Ski & Snowboard School.

2.3     A contract between the Ski & Snowboard School and the Customer may be concluded either electronically (through submission of an offer by the Customer via an online form and subsequent acceptance by the Ski & Snowboard School by means of a written booking confirmation) or on the business premises of the Ski & Snowboard School (by issuing a payment receipt to the Customer).

The contractual relationship between the Ski & Snowboard School and the Customer shall only come into existence upon transmission of the booking confirmation or issuance of the payment receipt.

The booking confirmation and/or payment receipt shall serve as proof of entitlement to use the booked service and must be presented by the Customer to the relevant instructor at the beginning of the course.

The Ski & Snowboard School provides services relating to leisure activities for which a specific date or period is contractually agreed.

Accordingly, no statutory right of withdrawal shall apply to contracts concluded by telephone, internet or e-mail.

2.4     All prices stated in price lists of the Ski & Snowboard School, on the internet, in brochures, advertisements, other information media or online price enquiries are provided without guarantee and shall not be binding upon the Ski & Snowboard School.

No liability shall be accepted for printing errors.

The Ski & Snowboard School reserves the right to make changes at any time.

2.5     All prices quoted by the Ski & Snowboard School are stated in EURO (€) and include any applicable statutory value-added tax unless otherwise agreed.

 

 

3. Payment Terms

3.1     The cost of lift passes (ski tickets) and ski equipment rentals is not included in the course fee.

Such items must be purchased separately by the Customer at the Customer’s own expense and brought along.

Where the Ski & Snowboard School offers rental of snow sports equipment, an additional charge may apply.

3.2     The Ski & Snowboard School’s entitlement to payment arises upon conclusion of the contract.

Payment of the contractual fee shall become due at that time.

3.3      In all cases, course fees and charges for additional services (e.g. rental services) must be paid in full before the commencement of the course and must have been received by the Ski & Snowboard School.

Failing such payment, the Customer shall not be entitled to make use of the services of the Ski & Snowboard School.

In all cases, the course ticket (voucher) shall only be issued after full payment has been received by the Ski & Snowboard School.

Participation in lessons shall not be possible without a valid course ticket.

3.4     Upon confirmation of the booking, the full course fee shall become due, regardless of whether the Customer actually travels to the destination or not.

3.5     A flat-rate charge of EUR 3.00 per Customer shall be applied to cover banking charges incurred by the Ski & Snowboard School.

This fee applies to all Customers paying by card or online bank transfer.

The EUR 3.00 fee shall be added to the course fee and shown separately in the offer.

3.6     The Customer shall be deemed in default of payment without the need for any further notice from the Ski School.

In the event of default, the Ski & Snowboard School shall be entitled to charge statutory default interest as well as all additional costs and expenses incurred, including debt collection and legal fees.

In the case of outstanding debts, the Ski School may apply payments made by the Customer to any outstanding claims at its discretion, irrespective of any designation made by the Customer.

In the event of non-payment of any claim, all other claims against the Customer shall immediately become due and payable.

 

4. Online Offers and Online Bookings

All services of the Ski & Snowboard School that are requested or booked via the internet or other online services shall likewise be subject to these Terms and Conditions.

4.1 Content of the Online Offer

The Ski & Snowboard School (hereinafter referred to in this section as the “Author”) assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the timeliness, accuracy, completeness or quality of the information provided.

Claims for liability against the Author relating to material or non-material damage caused by the use or non-use of the information provided, or by the use of incorrect or incomplete information, are excluded unless the Author can be proven to have acted with gross negligence or intent.

All offers are non-binding and subject to change.

The Author expressly reserves the right to amend, supplement, delete or temporarily or permanently discontinue publication of parts of the website or the entire online offering without prior notice.

 

 

5. Cancellation Policy

5.1     No right of cancellation shall apply to any type of ski course.

Any payments or deposits already made by the Customer shall not be refunded.

5.2     In all other cases, the Customer shall not be entitled to withdraw from the contract without the express written consent of the Ski School and shall remain liable for payment of the full contractual fee.

No refund shall be granted in the event of:

• non-attendance,
• late arrival for the agreed course,
• withdrawal during an ongoing service.

This shall also apply to Flex Bookings.

Customers are therefore strongly advised to take out travel cancellation insurance.

5.3     The Ski & Snowboard School shall be entitled to withdraw from the contract at any time if the Customer participates in courses under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication and safe participation can no longer be ensured.

The same shall apply where the Customer persistently refuses to comply with instructions given by the Ski School, instructors or supervisors.

In the event of such termination of the contract, the Customer shall have no claims whatsoever against the Ski & Snowboard School.

In particular, the Customer shall remain obliged to pay the full contractual fee.

 

6. Impossibility of Performance

6.1     If the provision of services is impossible for safety reasons (e.g. weather conditions, avalanche danger or similar circumstances), the Ski & Snowboard School shall not be obliged to provide the agreed services.

The determination as to whether performance has become impossible shall be made solely at the reasonable discretion of the Ski & Snowboard School.

Partial impossibility of performance—for example, where ski instruction cannot take place on three out of five course days—shall not affect the provision of those parts of the service that remain possible.

In the event of partial or total impossibility of performance, the Ski & Snowboard School shall either:

• propose an alternative date; or
• refund the proportional part of the fee within fourteen (14) days.

The Customer shall have no further claims.

6.2     Force majeure and other unforeseeable and unavoidable events shall release the Ski & Snowboard School from its obligations insofar as performance is affected thereby.

In the event of partial or total impossibility of performance, the Ski & Snowboard School shall either:

• issue a credit note for the proportional amount; or
• refund the proportional amount within fourteen (14) days.

The Customer shall have the right to choose between these alternatives.

No further claims shall arise.

Any right of withdrawal pursuant to Section 10(2) of the Austrian Package Travel Act shall remain unaffected.

6.3     In the event of epidemics, pandemics and related governmental measures, including the closure of the Ski & Snowboard School, the special provisions concerning COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 / Coronavirus) set out below shall apply.

 

 

7. General Conditions of Participation

7.1 Participation and Meeting Point

Participation in lessons provided by the Ski & Snowboard School shall only be permitted upon presentation of a valid course ticket.

The Customer must arrive in good time before the start of the course at:

• the assembly point designated by the Ski & Snowboard School; or
• another location within the ski school area notified by the Ski & Snowboard School.

The Ski & Snowboard School reserves the right to change meeting points at short notice.

In such cases, Customers shall be informed accordingly.

7.2 Obligations of the Customer

The Customer shall provide the Ski & Snowboard School with complete and truthful information regarding his or her skills and experience in the relevant snow sport at the commencement of the course.

The Customer shall also inform the Ski & Snowboard School of:

• his or her state of health; and
• any medical conditions that may impair participation in snow sports or may become acute during participation.

The Customer further undertakes not to participate in lessons if suffering from:

• feverish infections,
• contagious diseases,
• illnesses involving diarrhoea or vomiting.

In particular, where symptoms associated with COVID-19 occur (including fever, dry cough, fatigue, breathing difficulties, etc.), the Customer shall refrain from participating in lessons.

Where the Customer has booked a group course, the Customer may exercise any applicable cancellation right upon presentation of a medical certificate.

The Customer shall independently ensure that he or she possesses equipment appropriate to:

• current snow sport standards; and
• the prevailing external conditions.

Where the Customer uses his or her own snow sports equipment, the Customer shall ensure that such equipment, including bindings (particularly ski or snowboard bindings), is professionally inspected prior to the commencement of lessons.

The Ski & Snowboard School may prohibit participation where equipment:

• is defective; or
• presents a safety risk.

Such prohibition shall remain in effect until the defect has been remedied.

The Customer shall not be entitled to any reduction of fees in respect of lessons missed as a result.

The allocation of Customers to groups and ability levels shall be determined solely by the Ski & Snowboard School according to the Customer’s abilities.

If a reclassification to a lower level becomes necessary, the Customer shall comply with that decision.

Failure to do so shall entitle the Ski & Snowboard School to terminate the contract with immediate effect.

In such circumstances, the Customer shall not be entitled to reclaim any fees already paid.

The Customer shall strictly follow all instructions issued by the Ski & Snowboard School.

Failure to comply with instructions or warnings shall entitle the Ski & Snowboard School to terminate the contract immediately.

The same shall apply where the Customer behaves improperly, particularly towards other Customers or course participants.

In all such cases, no refund shall be granted.

Where the number of participants in a group course falls below five (5) persons, the Ski & Snowboard School reserves the right to:

• merge groups; or
• reduce lesson hours accordingly.

8. Complaints

Any complaints or grievances must be reported immediately on site to the relevant office of the Ski & Snowboard School in order to enable prompt remedial action and continued provision of services.

If the Customer fails to exercise his or her right to complain promptly, and in any event before the end of the service period, any claim for a reduction in fees shall no longer be considered.

Any other claims against the Ski & Snowboard School must be:

• submitted in writing; and
• substantiated

no later than four (4) weeks after the claim arose or after the Customer became aware of the circumstances giving rise to the claim.

 

9. Liability Notices, Recommendations and Limitations of Liability

9.1     It is expressly stated that participation in snow sports involves numerous risks and that, particularly during tours or descents in off-piste terrain, there is an increased risk of injury or even death, including as a result of avalanches, which cannot be entirely excluded.

The Customer acknowledges that rescue operations on ski slopes or in open terrain are often associated with considerable costs.

The Customer is therefore advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage, as the Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for mountain rescue or air rescue costs unless such rescue costs were caused intentionally or through gross negligence by the Ski & Snowboard School or a person attributable to it.

All Customers and course participants are strongly advised to obtain:

• health insurance,
• accident insurance,
• public liability insurance, and
• international travel health insurance.

9.2     The Ski & Snowboard School shall be liable under the applicable statutory provisions exclusively for damages and consequential damages arising from breaches of the principal contractual obligations and caused intentionally or through gross negligence by the Ski & Snowboard School or persons attributable to it.

This exclusion of liability shall apply to contractual and tortious claims of every kind, except in cases involving personal injury.

Appropriate liability insurance cover is maintained by the Ski & Snowboard School.

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable in any circumstances where the Customer suffers injury, damage or loss, or causes damage of any kind, as a result of:

• failing to comply with instructions issued by the Ski & Snowboard School;
• failing to comply with FIS slope rules; or
• failing to comply with applicable laws or these Terms and Conditions.

Where damage suffered by the Customer is attributable to snow sports equipment arranged or provided through a third party, the Customer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Ski & Snowboard School against any resulting claims.

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for damage caused by the Customer to himself/herself or to third parties during the provision of services where no fault on the part of the Ski & Snowboard School exists.

The same shall apply to damage caused to the Customer by third parties.

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for any damage resulting from improper or inadequate inspection, adjustment or maintenance of equipment.

Each Customer is solely responsible for the technical safety and proper condition of his or her own equipment and shall bear responsibility for any resulting damage.

Irrespective of fault, the Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for:

• loss of profit;
• pure financial loss; or
• consequential loss

insofar as such losses exceed three times the contractual fee paid for the relevant service.

Where the Customer is an entrepreneur (for example a travel agency or tour operator), claims for damages against the Ski & Snowboard School shall become time-barred six (6) months after knowledge of the damage has been obtained.

No compensation shall be granted for lesson time lost due to the closure or interruption of cable car or lift operations.

The Ski & Snowboard School does not guarantee any particular training outcome or learning success in connection with the courses offered.

 

10. Physical Safety and Compliance with FIS Rules

10.1   Customers and course participants are expressly advised that, pursuant to Section 3c of the Salzburg Sports Act 1988, children and young persons under the age of fifteen (15) are legally required to wear a ski or snowboard helmet complying with ÖNORM EN 1077:2007 when practising alpine skiing or snowboarding.

Customers are further advised that failure to wear a protective helmet may constitute contributory negligence in the event of injury.

Customers and participants are therefore strongly recommended to wear:

• a protective helmet; and
• any additional safety equipment appropriate for the booked activity.

This includes, for example, avalanche transceivers for off-piste activities.

Protective helmets and safety equipment generally reduce the risk of injury.

10.2   Customers and course participants shall familiarise themselves with the current FIS Rules for Conduct on Ski Slopes and shall comply with them at all times.

 

11. Provisions Relating to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 / Coronavirus)

11.1 Obligations and Declarations of the Customer or Course Participant

The Customer acknowledges awareness of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions arising therefrom.

The Customer undertakes to inform himself or herself of any restrictions, behavioural rules and recommendations applicable in the region where the Ski & Snowboard School operates.

This includes COVID-19 regulations applicable to:

• accommodation providers;
• cable car operators; and
• lift operators.

The Customer acknowledges responsibility for complying with preventive measures including:

• regular handwashing;
• social distancing;
• wearing face coverings where required;
• coughing and sneezing into tissues or the elbow; and
• avoiding physical greetings.

The Customer shall comply with all instructions issued by the Ski & Snowboard School or any ski rental provider intended to protect the health and safety of all parties.

The Customer further undertakes to comply with all relevant health and safety instructions issued by third parties, including accommodation providers, restaurants and lift operators.

The Customer declares that, during the fourteen (14) days preceding participation in instruction, he or she has not experienced symptoms typically associated with COVID-19 and is not aware of having had contact with an infected person.

Should symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, sore throat or fever occur before instruction commences, the Customer shall refrain from attending and contact the Austrian health hotline (1450) for further advice.

The same shall apply if the Customer suspects infection with COVID-19 or another illness not yet medically clarified.

If symptoms occur during instruction, the Customer shall immediately notify the Ski & Snowboard School so that isolation measures can be implemented.

The Customer acknowledges that a COVID-19 infection affecting even a single participant may result in:

• interruption of contractual services;
• quarantine measures; or
• mandatory testing at the Customer’s own expense.

The Customer agrees that personal data may be processed for COVID-19 contact-tracing purposes.

11.2 Special Contractual Provisions

Performance Possible

Where contractual performance remains possible and the Customer nevertheless does not participate, the cancellation provisions set out in Section 5 shall apply accordingly.

This shall also apply where participation is cancelled because of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection affecting the Customer.

Performance shall be deemed possible as long as:

• ski slopes remain open; and
• cable car and lift operations have not been completely suspended.

Closure of accommodation establishments, businesses operated by third parties or local infections shall not render performance impossible.

The same applies to travel warnings or repatriation recommendations that were foreseeable by the Customer.

Performance Impossible

In the following circumstances, the Ski & Snowboard School shall be released from its obligation to perform services and the Customer shall receive a voucher redeemable at a later date unless a written request for a refund is made:

• official closure of the Ski & Snowboard School;
• official closure of all lift and cable car operations required for performance;
• officially ordered quarantine affecting the entire resort or region; or
• mandatory government-ordered departure requirements which could not reasonably have been foreseen.

The obligation to perform shall also cease where accommodation used by instructors becomes subject to official closure, quarantine or similar health measures and at least ten percent (10%) of the Ski & Snowboard School’s instructors are thereby unavailable.

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be obliged to procure replacement instructors.

11.3 Special Liability Provisions

The Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for any damage, consequential loss or disadvantage arising directly or indirectly from COVID-19 infections.

This exclusion shall also apply where infection occurs during the provision of services or despite compliance with safety measures.

Where performance is impossible for one or more of the reasons described above, the Ski & Snowboard School shall not be liable for:

• loss of holiday enjoyment;
• wasted expenditure;
• travel expenses;
• accommodation costs;
• cancellation fees;
• unused lift passes;
• COVID-19 testing costs; or
• any other direct or indirect financial disadvantage.

Where performance remains possible but the Customer cancels due to an actual or suspected COVID-19 infection, Section 5 (Cancellation Policy) shall apply.

11.4   The Ski & Snowboard School reserves the right to carry out temperature checks before the commencement of any course or course day.

Where elevated temperature, fever or other signs of infectious illness are detected, the Ski & Snowboard School may exclude the Customer from participation.

In such circumstances, the Customer shall be entitled, at his or her option, to either:

• a proportional refund; or
• a corresponding credit note.

 

12. Place of Performance, Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Contract Language and Miscellaneous Provisions

12.1   The place of performance for all obligations of both the Ski & Snowboard School and the Customer shall be the location of the Ski & Snowboard School’s principal place of business.

12.2   Where the Customer is an entrepreneur or a consumer domiciled outside the scope of the Brussels I Regulation or the Lugano Convention, the competent court at the registered office of the Ski School shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

For consumers domiciled within the European Union or within the scope of the Lugano Convention, statutory jurisdiction rules shall apply.

12.3   Austrian law shall apply exclusively, excluding Austrian private international law rules.

12.4   The contractual language shall be German.

12.5   Should any provision of these Terms and Conditions be or become invalid, the parties shall be deemed to have agreed a valid provision coming as close as possible to the economic purpose of the invalid provision.

The validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.

12.6   No oral side agreements exist.

Any amendments, supplements or ancillary agreements shall only be valid if made in writing.

This shall also apply to any waiver of the written-form requirement.

12.7   All rights and obligations arising under these Terms and Conditions shall pass to any legal successors of the Ski & Snowboard School.

 

13. Data Protection

Further information is available in the Privacy Policy of the Ski & Snowboard School, which can be accessed on the Ski & Snowboard School’s website.

 

Version dated: 01 June 2026