Pamporovo Resort Winter 2011/2012

I. SCOPE

1.1. These General Terms and Conditions refer to the services of selling tickets and passes for rope-ways transporting passengers provided by Pamporovo AD in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort, settlement of disputes arising from these services, and set out the rules on using by the tourists the services and the facilities in the ski area /ski runs, rope-ways, ski tracks, etc./, as well as the rules on safe conduct  of the tourists, and the rules on control of the observance of the order established in the ski area.

1.2. The ski area of Pamporovo resort includes: ski runs with different level of difficulty and designation, set up around Snezhanka peak, with total length about 37 km; tracks for servicing the ski runs and rope-ways for transportation of tourists i.e. 6 chair-lifts, 4 tow-lifts and 3 baby tow-lifts, the relevant buildings to the rope-ways and other service premises – offices and ticket for selling tickets and passes for the rope-ways, the ski routes and tracks, which connect the ski runs and the areas of tourist traffic.

1.3. These General Terms and Conditions do not refer to the provision of services and the use of the ski-runs and the service facilities located outside the ski area of Pamporovo resort under clause 1.2 ., as well as to the use of places not designated as ski runs in the ski areas, as well as the services offered in the commercial areas and the accommodation places and/ or the catering establishments within the ski area.

1.4. These General Terms and Conditions do not cover the services Ski School and Ski Equipment Rent offered by Pamporovo AD, which are subject to the individual General terms and conditions of Pamporovo AD concerning the provision of the services Ski School and Ski Equipment Rent.

II. GENERAL

2.1. Ski runs in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort are accessible, safeguarded, clearly designated and differentiated according to their level of difficulty. The ski runs are maintained by qualified servicing staff with the required equipment for their maintenance and comply with the safety standards, the particular weather conditions and the nature of the terrain.

2.2. The passenger rope-ways (chair lifts and tow-lifts) in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort  have been built and operate in compliance with the applicable regulations in Republic of Bulgaria and according to Certificate No. PD116/ 04.09.2008, they are served by qualified staff and meet the safety requirements and are subject to the control of the relevant statutory authorities.

2.3. Working hours of the ski runs in the ski area of  Pamporovo Resort correspond to the working hours of the rope-ways servicing the ski runs however taking into consideration the particular weather conditions and the avalanche hazard.

2.4. The staff servicing the ski-area of  Pamporovo Resort at their own discretion depending on the particular  snow/ weather conditions and/ or the number of tourists that use services in the ski area,  when maintenance of the rope-ways is required and/ or processing the ski runs or for safety reasons, may close the ski runs and the rope-ways within ski area. The staff servicing the ski area is entitled to close ski runs and passenger rope-ways within the ski area also in connection with carrying out  sport competitions, trainings and other events.

2.5. The staff servicing the ski-area of Pamporovo Resort has the right but not the obligation when necessary and for safety reasons to carry out the activities of processing the ski runs during the working hours of the ski runs and the passenger rope-ways.

2.6. All restrictions and instructions connected with the use of the ski runs and the passenger rope-ways in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort shall be announced publicly – on information boards located in the starting stations of the rope-ways and/ or at the approaches to the ski-runs.  Potentially hazardous places of the ski runs (narrow section in woodland, sections where there is danger of going out of the ski runs, sections where it is forbidden to cross the ski runs, etc) shall be designated with the relevant  indicative signs placed on visible locations on the ski run prior to reaching the dangerous section. The information boards shall contain a legend of the signs used on the ski runs, as well as information about the near medical centres and mountain rescue service, emergency telephones.

2.7. Tourists using the ski area of  Pamporovo Resort must be aware of these General Terms and Conditions and the rules on their use and must abide unconditionally by their provisions. They must adhere to the instructions and restrictions announced publicly on the information boards located in the ski area, as well as to the instructions given by the staff servicing the ski area concerning the correct use of  the ski runs and the rope-ways for the purpose of limiting the risk of accidents and avoiding interruption of the operation of the facilities in the ski area.

2.8. Tourists (and if they are under age or minor – their parents or companions) bear sole responsibility and at their risk use the passenger rope-ways and do skiing/ snowboarding along the ski runs in the ski area of Pamporovo resort. Prior to starting the use of the services provided in the ski area, every tourist must consider their mental and physical condition at that time, the particular snow/ weather conditions, whether they are in condition and  have the required level of skills for the performance of the relevant activities – doing snowboarding/ skiing along the ski runs in the ski area and/ or using the relevant rope-ways (chair lifts and tow lifts).

2.9. Tourists (and if they are minor or under age – their parents or companions) bear personal responsibility about the condition of their equipment and the correct adjustment of their ski/ snowboard bindings and must maintain their equipment in good order.

2.10. PAMPOROVO AD is not responsible and will not pay any compensations for suffered traumas and/ or death as a result of accidents with tourists in the ski-area, which result from their behaviour and failure to comply with their condition and their abilities, with the particular snow/ weather conditions, with the instructions and the restrictions announced publicly on the information boards in the ski area, as well as with the instructions given by the staff servicing the ski area.

2.11. Pamporovo AD is not responsible and is not liable to make on its own account  and to provide to tourist using services in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort insurance covering the main risks – death and permanent disability, medical expenses and repatriation of the insured in the event of accident. Tourist may at their own discretion conclude individual insurance with such insurance coverage.

ІІІ.  MAIN RULES ON USING THE SKI AREA

3.1.  Working hours of all ski runs and their servicing rope-ways, as well as the ticket offices for selling tickets and lift passes in the ski area of  Pamorovo Resort are from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., without day off.

3.2.  Working hours of Snezhanka ski run – Studenets No. 2 (black) intended for night-time skiing and their related rope-ways – chair lift No. 2 – Studenets – Snezhanka and the tow-lift Stenata are from 5.30 p.m to 10.30 p.m, without day off.

3.3. Snowboarding and skiing along the ski runs out of the working hours is forbidden.

3.4. As regards night-time skiing, snowboarding/ skiing along unilluminated section of the ski run intended for night-time skiing is forbidden.

3.5. Using the rope-ways and/ or skiing/ snowboarding by individuals who are visibly under the influence of alcohol and/ or other drugs is forbidden.

3.5. Using the rope-ways and/ or skiing/ snowboarding by individuals who are visibly under the influence of alcohol and/ or other drugs is forbidden.

3.6. Mountain biking along the ski runs in the ski area of Pamporovo resort is forbidden.

3.7. Driving motor sledges and ATVs along the ski runs in the ski area both at daytime and at night-time is forbidden.  An exception is made when urgent medical care is to be provided by the mountain rescue service, or police intervention or intervention by the maintenance personnel due to technical problem with the facilities is required. Motor sledges and ATVs may be driven only outside the ski area of  Pamporovo resort along specially designated tracks.

ІV. RULES ON SAFE CONDUCT OF THE TOURISTS IN THE SKI AREA OF  PAMPOROVO RESORT

4.1.  Every skier/ snowboarder shall use only the designated and open ski runs and shall comply with all markings and signs.

4.2.  Skiing out of the designated ski  runs and out of the working hours, as well as failure to observe the notices for closed ski runs and/ or sections thereof, is at the risk of the skier/ snowboarder.

4.3.  All tourists shall behave on the ski runs and while using the rope-ways so that to avoid endangering or posing difficulties to themselves and the other tourists.

4.4.  All skiers and/ or snowboarders at any time shall be able to control the skis/ the snowboard, to move along the ski runs by conforming their speed and the way they move to their abilities, the conditions of the terrain, the snow cover, the weather conditions and the traffic intensity.  In areas characterized with heavy traffic and reduced visibility, clients shall move slower.

4.5. All skiers and/ or snowboarders that move from the front, have the right of way compared to those behind them. Skiers/ snowboarders from behind shall not endanger in any way those from the front and shall keep appropriate distance.

4.6.  Upon overtaking on the ski run, the overtaking skier/ snowboarder shall ensure sufficient space for each intentional or unintentional movement of the skier/ snowboarder being overtaken.

4.7.  When entering a designated ski run (initially or after stop), as well as if it is necessary to move up the ski run, every skier/ snowboarder shall look round and after making assessment of the circumstance they shall join the traffic without endangering themselves or the other tourists.

4.8. Stopping at narrow sections of the ski runs or at places with reduced visibility is admissible only as a last resort  and the skier/ snowboarder that stops there shall move to a safe place as soon as possible. Provided that a skier/ a snowboarder falls at such place, they shall move to a safe place as soon as possible.

4.9.  Climbing up and down the designated ski runs in the ski area by tourists without skis or snowboard shall be made only aside the ski run.

4.10. In the event of accident, skiers or snowboarders nearby shall safeguard the injured and shall inform immediately the ski patrol and the mountain rescue service, as well as they shall give their names and addresses.

V.  CONDITIONS ON ISSUING, SELLING, VALIDITY AND USE OF TICKETS AND LIFT PASSES FOR THE ROPE-WAYS IN THE SKI AREA OF PAMPOROVO RESORT

5.1. Any kinds of tickets and lift passes for the rope-ways in the ski area in Pamporovo resort shall be issued and sold only by Pamporovo AD at the ticket offices of the company located at the initial stations of the ski-lifts and at the Information Centre of Perelik Hotel.

5.2. Tickets and half-day, one-day and two-day lift passes for adults and for children, as well as lift passes for night-time skiing issued  under the general terms and conditions shall be issued and sold  by automatic machines property of Pamporovo AD, located at the initial stations of the lifts Bus Station, Studenets and Malina and at the Information Centre of Perelik Hotel.

5.3. Prices of different kinds of tickets and lift passes are given in Bulgarian leva and are announced on the Price List of Tickets and Lift Passes for using the rope-ways in the ski area of Pamporovo resort issued by Pamporovo AD. Price List shall be placed at a visible place in every ticket office and is available on the official web site of Pamporovo AD – www.pamporovoresort.com

5.4. Working hours of the ticket offices for tickets and lift passes is from 08:30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m., without day off. Only the ticket office at the initial station of Studenets ski-lift is open until 9.00 p.m. Tickets and lift passes from automatic machines are issued all the day round and the payment  there is made by debit or credit cards.

5.5. Pamporovo AD issues and sells the following kinds of tickets and lift passes for using the rope-ways in the ski area of Pamporovo resort.

5.5.1. Tickets

a) Single tickets – two-way tickets valid for a particular rope-way only

b) Combined tickers – two-way tickets valid for 2 or more rope-ways

c) Tow lift ticket – valid for all portable ski lifts property of Pamporovo PLC

5.5.2. Lift passes

a) Half-day lift pass for all operating rope-ways (chair lifts and tow lifts) in the ski area for 4 hours: in the morning from 8.30 to 12.30  or in the afternoon from  12:30 to 16:30.

b) Night-time skiing pass – for using the chair lift 2 0 Studenets – Snezhanka and tow lift Stenata from 5.30 p.m until 10.30 p.m.;

c) One-day lift pass for using the ski area for 8 hours – from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.

d) Two-day, three-day, four-day, five-day, six-day, nine-day and thirteen-day lift passes for access to all operating rope-ways (chair-lifts and tow-lifts) in the ski area from 8.30 a.m on the date the pass is purchased until 4.30 p.m. on the expiration date.

d) seasonal lift pass for access to all operating rope-ways (chair lifts and tow lifts) in the ski area from 8.30 a.m. on the date the pass is purchased until 4.30 p.m. on the date of closing the ski season at  Pamporovo resort.

e) seasonal lift pass for ski teachers for access to all operating rope-ways (chair lifts and tow lifts) in the ski area from 8.30 a.m. on the date the pass is purchased until 4.30 p.m. on the date of closing the ski season at Pamporovo

f) Seasonal card for business activity, giving permission for use of the grounds and runways for conducting skiing or snowboarding lessons, as well as use of all lifting facilities – ski and tow lifts. Ski teaching activity in the ski area of Pamporovo resort is regarded as a business activity; therefore the term “ski instructor” in these general regulations is treated equally in meaning as the term “trader”.

5.6. The price of each purchased ticket/ lift pass includes insurance for  accidents during transportation of passengers by rope-ways and mountain insurance, which covers the costs for first aid provision and transportation of the insured person to the nearest medical centre,

5.7. Lift passes with validity more than two days are personalized.  They are issued and sold only at the ticket offices located at the initial stations of the ski lifts servicing the ski runs in the ski area and in the Information Centre of Perelik Hotel and contain the name, the family name and the photo of the user.

5.8. The seasonal card for business activity is issued and sold only at the cash register of starting station Studenets and at the Informational center of hotel Perelik and only to persons who are included in the list of licensed ski teachers of the “Bulgarian Ski School Association” or Direction “Bulgarian professional ski instructors”, part of Bulgarian Ski Federation, subject to specific terms and conditions set by ” Pamporovo “AD. The card is personal, and contains the sign “business card”, the name of the ski school, card holder’s fisrt and family name, and also a photograph of the card holder. With the card for business activity, the facilities and the ski runs can be used only by the ski teacher on whose name the card is issued. In case of violation and misuse of the card in unauthorized ways, the card shall be confiscated and deactivated, without the right for reactivation, according to the regulations for issuance and use of the card for business activity in art. 5.8.1

5.8.1 Regulations for use of the seasonal card for business activity including ski instructors (traders) within the ski area of Pamporovo resort:
a) Buying a seasonal card for business activity entitles the trader to use the sports facilities of Pamporovo AD, both for personal use and for the conduct of ski lessons for tourists throughout the entire ski area of Pamporovo resort.

b) Any seasonal card for business activity is issued by name and can only be used by the person on whose name it was issued.

c) If the trader to whom the seasonal card for business activity has been issued to, is unable to use the card in question with reason , the card can be canceled and reissued again at the discretion of Pamporovo AD, on the name of a new card user after a written application has been filed by the trader. Such a change is permitted only at the discretion of the company, at most once per card, and is only possible after signing an additional protocol for change, approved by the Executive Director of Pamporovo AD.

d) In case of request for change of the name of the business card holder by the trader, Pamporovo AD reserves the right to request additional documentation with which to justify the need for change. Pamporovo AD has the right to refuse the reissuance.

e) The trader shall not cede, resell, give as a present or take any action that would lead to the use of the issued seasonal card for business activity by third parties.
f) The trader is obligated to provide for check the seasonal card for business activity at any time, when requested for verification within the ski area of Pamporovo resort by the Ski Patrol, and other inspection authorities of Pamporovo AD.

g) If the issued card for business activity is used by anyone other than the person to whom the card is issued to, the card in question will be confiscated immediately and disabled by the staff of Pamporovo AD.

h) In case of suspected abuse of the issued card for business activity, Pamporovo AD has the right to temporarily disable the card, until clarification of all the circumstances surrounding the situation.
i) Pamporovo AD has the right to use video material to record the passing through the tourniquet and ski runs, with a view to establishing, where appropriate, the identity of the card holder that has passed through the checkpoint system.

j) In case of breach of the terms of these regulations for use of the seasonal card for business activity by the trader, the validity of that card will be automatically canceled, for which a certifying protocol will be issued.

k) The value of disabled or confiscated seasonal card for business activity is not refundable.

l) Any issued seasonal card for business activity is property of Pamporovo AD and is subject to a specific expiry period.
m) The cards for business activity are issued only after signing a “contract of sale and use of seasonal card for business activity” between the trader (ski teacher) and Pamporovo AD.

5.9. Purchased lift passes are not subject to return except the seasonal lift passes, which shall be returned upon expiration of their validity. Provided that a lift pass subject to return is purchased, a deposit shall be paid in the amount set out in the Price List, which is to be recovered to the user at the time the pass is returned to the ticket offices located at the initial lift stations in the ski area and at the Information Centre of Perelik Hotel. Pamporovo AD will not recover deposits if lift passes subject to return are lost, stolen or destructed.

5.10. Children under the age of 7 will use rope-ways servicing the ski area of Pamporovo resort free of charge. Children under the age of 7 may use the rope-ways only if accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their safety.

5.11. Lift passes for children above 7 but under  12 years old are issued with the term of validity specified in clause 5.5.2, letter “a” to letter “e” inclusive and are sold at ticket offices and/ or by automatic machines at the price set out in the Price List. For the issue of children’s lift pass, for a child over 10 years of age, a certifying document –school ID, passport or other document confirming the age is required.

5.12. Lift passes for children over 12 years old are issued with the term of validity specified in clause 5.5.2, letter  “a” – letter  “e” inclusive and are sold at ticket offices and/ or by automatic machines at the price set out in the Price List.

5.13. Every person purchasing a ticket or a lift pass shall keep that ticket/ lift pass and shall show them to the authorized persons to verify their validity.

5.13.1. Persons authorized to check the tickets/ lift passes used by the tourist at the approach to the admission system for the rope-ways are the employees of Pamporovo AD servicing the rope-ways and the employees of association directly involved with security and control, that control the access to the rope-ways; and on the territory of the ski area of Pamporovo resort the ski patrols are the authorized persons. Persons authorized to check tickets and lift passes shall show their official identity passes to prove their authority.

5.13.2. The following lift passes shall be considered invalid according to these general terms and conditions:  a child’s lift pass used by a child over 12 years old; personalized lift pass with the holder’s photo, used by a person other than the holder; a lift pass with forged validity term and/ or forged names and photo.

5.14. Every person having purchased a ticket or a lift pass shall show their ticket/ lift pass at request to the authorized persons for verification of their validity.

5.15. Selling and reselling lift passes out of the area of ticket offices and the automatic machines on the territory of Pamporovo resort is forbidden.

5.16. Individuals having purchased lift passes shall not for whatever reason give them for use to any other persons or resell them.

5.17. Provided that any violations are established of the prohibitions under the previous clauses 5.15 and 5.16 the granted/ sold/ resold lift passes shall be seized and a report of findings shall be issued.

5.18 Upon establishment of invalid lift pass/ ticket at the time of passing through the admission system, the employees of association directly involved with security and control shall seize such invalid lift pass/ ticket and the access to the rope-ways shall be refused to the offender.

VI. COMPENSATIONS AND CLAIMS

6.1. PAMPOROVO AD is not liable and will not recover the value of any purchased lift passes and will not pay any compensation provided that the purchased lift passes may not be used due to the following reasons:

6.1.1. Power failure

2.1.6. Adverse weather conditions – strong wind, heavy snowfall, lack of snow, very low or very high temperature, fog,  strong wind, torrential rain, etc.

6.1.3. Partial closing of the ski area – separate parts of the ski runs and/ or ski lifts – for preventive maintenance, for safety reasons or for carrying out competitions, trainings and/ or other events.

6.1.4. Breach of integrity/ damage of a lift pass as a result of incorrect keeping and use;

6.1.5. Loss of a lift pass

6.1.6. Seizure or blocking a lift pass upon failure to comply with any terms and conditions hereof;

6.1.7. Disease or accident suffered by the holder of the lift pass having occurred at the time of its use;

6.1.8. Termination of the use of the pass prior to its expiry by the individual having purchased it regardless of the reason about that.

6.2 Any claims and complaints referring to the services of selling tickets and lift passes for the rope-ways by Pamporovo AD in the ski area of Pamporovo resort shall not be considered unless deposited in writing to the administrative office of Pamporovo AD at Perelik Hotel or at the ticket offices latest within 24 hours after expiry of the lift pass.

6.3. If complaints and claims are filed in writing within the term set out in clause 6.2, Pamporovo AD will make best efforts to satisfy the client’s claims provided that they are reasonable.

VII. RULES FOR CONTROL ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE ORDER SET OUT IN THE SKI AREA OF PAMPOROVO RESORT. SKI PATROL

7.1. The control on the observance of the general terms and conditions set  out herein and the rules for using the ski services provided and the rules on safe behavior of tourists in the ski area of Pamporovo Resort, as well as imposing the penalties provided herein is assigned to the Ski patrol. The ski patrol consists of representatives of the local police and employees of Pamporovo AD. The ski patrol has the following authorities:

7.1.1. To exercise overall control on the observance of the established order on the ski runs and the servicing facilities within the ski area on the part of the users of ski services within the ski area and the servicing staff.

7.1.2. To oversee the observance of the rules for using the ski runs and the relevant rope-ways.

7. 1.3. To oversee the use of the ski runs and the servicing rope-ways within the ski area of Pamporovo Resort by persons with inadequate behavior, who are visibly under the influence of alcohol and/ or other drugs.

7.1.4. To oversee the use of the ski runs and the servicing rope-ways within the ski area of Pamporovo resort by persons in a manner endangering their own health and safety and the health and safety of other tourists within the ski area.

7.1.5. To carry out random checks of the validity of the used lift pass.

7.1.6. To respond to any signal given by tourists or employees of association directly involved with security and control, that safeguard and control the access to the rope-ways, as well as by employees of Pamporovo AD for rendering assistance upon established violation of the general terms and conditions and for using the ski area and if necessary detention of the offenders.

7.1.7. To watch for unauthorized movement of motor sledges, ATVs and bicycles along the ski runs within the ski area.

7.1.8. To watch for unauthorized ski teaching by persons, which lift pass has no designation of a ski teacher.

7.1.9 Upon carrying out the check to ask for the identity documents of the persons being inspected.

7.2. Upon establishment of violations, the Ski patrol:

7.1.2. Shall prepare report of finding for the relevant violation, which shall be signed by the offender;

7.2.2. Shall seize immediately the invalid lift passes identified by the check, as well as the lift  passes of the offenders of these general terms and conditions and the rules set out herein, which shall be recorded in the report.

7.2.3. shall restrict the use of the ski area by tourists who fail to abide by these general terms and conditions or fail to comply with the instructions given by the personnel or by their actions endanger the public security and violate the public order/

7.3. Every user of services within the ski area of Pamporovo resort shall render assistance for the checks carried out by the Ski patrol.

VIII. FINAL PROVISIONS

8.1. Every user of services within the ski area of Pamporovo resort may inform about violation of some general rules by calling 089998612,   0882886443 or 0309 5 9085 You may reach Mountain Rescue Service by calling 0309 58336 or 0887100245.

8.2. Every user of ski services within the ski area of Pamporovo resort may email to:                     marketing@pamporovoresort.com

8.3. Every user of ski services within the ski area of Pamporovo having purchased a lift pass or a ticket by the ticket offices or the automatic machines of Pamporovo AD agrees with these General Terms and Conditions and undertakes to observe them,

8.4. These General Terms and Conditions are available at the ticket offices within  Pamporovo resort, at the Information Centre of Pamporovo AD at Perelik Hotel and on the official website of Pamporovo AD www.pamporovoresort.com.

8.5. Pamporovo AD reserves the right to amend and supplement these General Terms and Conditions and such amendments shall take effect as regards third persons on the date of their public announcement at the locations mentioned in the previous clause.

8.6. Any disputes that may occur in connection with the provided services under these general terms and conditions, as well as from their interpretation and application shall be solved by negotiations. In case of failure to come to an agreement the dispute shall be referred for solution to the competent Bulgarian court within which jurisdiction is the seat of Pamporovo AD. The provisions of the valid Bulgarian law will apply.