Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Local Snow. By accessing or using our website at localsnow.org (the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Local Snow ("we," "us," or "our"). Please read them carefully.

2. Description of Service

Local Snow operates a worldwide marketplace platform that connects ski and snowboard instructors with clients seeking lessons. Our Platform enables:

• Instructors to create professional profiles and list their services
• Clients to discover, compare, and request lessons from instructors
• Direct communication between clients and instructors
• Booking request management and payment processing
• Review and rating systems

Important: Local Snow is a marketplace platform only. We are not a party to the actual service agreement between instructors and clients. We do not employ instructors, and we are not responsible for the actual lessons provided.

3. Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under applicable laws
• Provide accurate and complete information during registration

By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

4. User Accounts

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account. You may register using your email address or through Google OAuth. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach

4.2 Account Types

• Client Accounts: Free accounts for individuals seeking ski/snowboard lessons
• Independent Instructor Accounts: Free accounts for self-employed instructors
• School Instructor Accounts: Free accounts for instructors affiliated with ski schools
• School Administrator Accounts: Accounts for managing ski school operations and instructor teams

4.3 Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that:

• Violate these Terms or our policies
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Provide false or misleading information
• Abuse or harass other users
• Remain inactive for extended periods

5. Instructor Responsibilities

5.1 Profile Information

Instructors must:

• Provide accurate and truthful information about qualifications and experience
• Upload valid certification documents when claiming professional credentials
• Keep profile information current and up-to-date
• Accurately represent spoken languages, sports specializations, and resort affiliations
• Set fair and transparent pricing for lessons

5.2 Professional Standards

Instructors agree to:

• Hold valid certifications and licenses required by local authorities
• Maintain appropriate liability insurance
• Comply with resort rules and regulations
• Provide safe, professional, and high-quality instruction
• Respond to booking requests in a timely manner
• Honor confirmed bookings or provide adequate notice of cancellation
• Not discriminate against clients based on protected characteristics

5.3 Verification

Instructors may apply for verification by submitting proof of qualifications. Verified status indicates that we have reviewed documentation but does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of quality. Verification may be revoked if information is found to be inaccurate.

6. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

• Provide accurate information in booking requests
• Communicate honestly about skill levels and special requirements
• Arrive punctually for scheduled lessons
• Follow safety instructions provided by instructors
• Pay agreed-upon fees in full and on time
• Cancel bookings with adequate notice when necessary
• Leave honest and fair reviews based on actual experiences
• Not share instructor contact information for commercial purposes

7. Booking Process and Payment Terms

7.1 Booking Requests

Clients submit booking requests through the Platform. Booking requests are not confirmed until the instructor accepts and the client completes payment. Neither party is obligated until both parties have confirmed.

7.2 Pricing Structure

• Listing Fees: Creating an instructor profile is free
• Client Booking Fees: Clients are not charged any booking fees by Local Snow
• Lead Fees: When instructors receive a booking request, they pay a €5 lead fee to access client contact information
• Client Deposit: First-time clients pay a refundable €15 deposit to prevent spam; returned after first successful lesson

7.3 Payment Processing

• All payments are processed securely through Stripe
• Lesson fees are paid directly between clients and instructors outside our Platform
• Lead fees are non-refundable once client contact information is accessed
• Client deposits are refunded after confirmation of lesson completion
• Instructors are responsible for their own tax obligations

7.4 Refund Policy

• Lead Fees: Non-refundable after contact information is accessed
• Client Deposits: Automatically refunded after confirmed lesson completion
• Lesson Fees: Refund disputes are handled directly between clients and instructors; we do not process lesson payments

7.5 Booking Limits

To prevent spam and ensure quality:

• Free clients limited to 2 booking requests per 30-day period
• Paying clients (deposit paid) have unlimited booking requests
• Limits may be adjusted at our discretion to prevent abuse

8. Reviews and Ratings

Our review system allows clients to rate and review instructors. By using this feature:

• Reviews must be based on actual lesson experiences
• Reviews must be honest, fair, and not defamatory
• We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate our policies
• Instructors may not offer incentives for positive reviews
• Users may not post fake or fraudulent reviews

We do not verify the accuracy of reviews but will investigate reports of policy violations.

9. Prohibited Conduct

Users may not:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Impersonate others or create fake accounts
• Use the Platform for illegal activities
• Harass, abuse, or threaten other users
• Attempt to circumvent platform fees or payment systems
• Scrape or collect data from the Platform using automated means
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or hack the Platform
• Upload malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Infringe intellectual property rights of others
• Send spam or unsolicited commercial messages
• Use the Platform to directly compete with our business

10. Intellectual Property

10.1 Platform Content

The Platform, including its design, code, logos, and content (excluding user-generated content), is owned by Local Snow and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

10.2 User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of content you post (profile information, photos, reviews, messages). However, by posting content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content to operate and promote the Platform.

10.3 Trademarks

"Local Snow" and associated logos are trademarks of Local Snow. You may not use our trademarks without prior written permission.

11. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

11.1 Platform "As Is"

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

11.2 No Endorsement

We do not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of instructors' services. We are not responsible for verifying instructor credentials beyond reviewing submitted documentation for verification badges.

11.3 Third-Party Services

The actual ski and snowboard lessons are provided by independent instructors, not by Local Snow. We are not liable for injuries, accidents, property damage, or other issues arising from lessons.

11.4 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LOCAL SNOW SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) €100 OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

11.5 Exceptions

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties or liability for certain damages. In such jurisdictions, the above limitations may not apply to you.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Local Snow, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Any content you post on the Platform
• Any lessons or services provided by instructors

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with us, please contact us first at [email protected] to attempt to resolve it informally.

13.2 User Disputes

Disputes between users (e.g., between clients and instructors) must be resolved directly between the parties. We may assist with communication but are not responsible for resolving user disputes.

13.3 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Spain, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

13.4 Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Platform that cannot be resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of Spain, except where prohibited by law.

14. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by:

• Posting a notice on the Platform
• Sending an email to registered users
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Platform and may close your account.

15. Termination

Either party may terminate this agreement at any time. You may close your account by contacting us. We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, with or without notice, for any violation of these Terms.

Upon termination:

• Your right to access the Platform ceases immediately
• We may delete your account and data (subject to retention requirements)
• Outstanding payment obligations remain in effect
• Provisions regarding liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution survive

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Local Snow regarding the Platform.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemics, or internet service failures.

17. Contact Information

For questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Legal Inquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://localsnow.org