Airports

Many airlines and shops do not accept cash. The bottom of this page contains links to some of the numerous card options. Going forward it is likely that more and more businesses will only take card, so we recommend taking the time to look through the options if your athlete currently does not use a debit card.

Hotel

The hotel is half-board and the cost to attend the trip will ensure that meals for athletes and volunteers on the slope are paid for. The group also budgets for a hot chocolate per day per athlete. The athlete is welcome to purchase additional, non-alcoholic, drinks on the slope using their own money.

All athletes, both accompanied and unaccompanied, are able to purchase drinks vouchers, for use in the hotel, which are described in detail. These must be purchased with Euros in cash. The drinks vouchers are likely to be the thing that most athletes will buy.

Unaccompanied Skiers

A volunteer on the trip may be able to look after the athlete’s money. It is not mandatory for athlete’s money to be managed by a volunteer - it is a choice for the parents/guardians of the athlete. If the athlete is likely to overspend and won’t make their money last the whole trip we recommend you consider asking for their money to be managed by a volunteer. SOWM volunteers will not manage the money of accompanied skiers.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Any money that is to be managed on the athlete’s behalf must be provided at a training session before departure.
    • Money will not be accepted on the day as a certain amount of planning is required.
  • Any money that is unspent will be returned at the following training session.
  • If an athlete overspends there is no guarantee that any additional money will be loaned to them.

How Much Money?

The question on how much money to provide is a personal one. The group generally recommends €150 in cash for spending. This amount includes an amount for food in the airport before the return flight.

Note

We can meet midway on money management for unaccompanied skiers; we can keep money aside so they have spending money in the airport before the return flight, but they have free reign to manage their money in Pila.

In Pila;

  • Alcoholic vouchers are limited to one per day and cost €10 each
  • Soft drink vouchers aren’t strictly limited and cost €20 each
  • Your athlete may wish to spend money in the cafes on the slope; the cafes on the slope accept debit cards

Debit and Travel Cards

There are numerous options for cards. To name a few:

There’s pros and cons to the various cards - some have fees, some allow ATM withdrawals and some can be used online. This list is not exhaustive and the links above should not be seen as endorsement by SOWM.

Whilst the group still requires athletes to pay in cash for drinks vouchers many shops now only accept card - and some only accept orders online - so it’s good to have a card as an option.