Cancel an online ski pass: withdrawal right and the exception for a booked ski day

Under section 11 FAGG, a consumer may in principle withdraw from a distance contract within 14 days without giving reasons. For a service contract, the period starts on the day the contract is concluded. The trader must receive a clear withdrawal statement within the period; simply not appearing on the ski day is not enough.

That general rule does not settle the ski-pass question. It must first be checked whether a statutory exception applies and whether the booking is actually a service with a fixed time for performance.

Section 18(1)(10) FAGG excludes services connected with leisure activities from the withdrawal right where a specific time or period for performance is contractually provided. A ski pass booked for 10 January or for a clearly defined time slot may fall within this exception.

This is not a blanket statement about every ski pass. The actual booking, validity wording and contractual classification are decisive. A checkout notice that no statutory withdrawal right exists for the fixed date is particularly relevant, but it does not replace a review of the contract terms.

For a voucher, season pass or ski pass with a freely selectable use date, the fixed-date leisure exception is not automatically satisfied. That does not automatically mean that withdrawal is available. The contract type, validity period, start of performance and pre-contract information must be assessed.

If the trader starts performing during an ongoing withdrawal period at the consumer's express request, a valid withdrawal may involve a proportionate payment for services already provided under section 16 FAGG. The statutory conditions and proper information are required.

If section 18 FAGG excludes statutory withdrawal, it remains relevant whether the tariff allows voluntary cancellation, rebooking or a credit. These terms may distinguish between fare type, booking channel and the time of cancellation.

Send the cancellation request through the stated channel as soon as possible and keep proof of receipt. Say clearly whether you rely on a statutory withdrawal right or request a contractual cancellation, goodwill solution or rebooking.

If an area closes because of a storm or an essential part of the offer becomes unavailable, the issue is not the consumer's personal withdrawal before the ski day. Service description, actual usability, duration of the restriction and any substitute service become relevant.

That review is separate from the online cancellation discussed here. The dedicated article Ski pass refund after lift standstill, storm and closure addresses lift standstill, storm and piste closure.

Keep the booking confirmation, payment record, selected date or period, tariff and cancellation terms, and all checkout emails or messages. If you tried to cancel, also keep the time, channel and automatic receipt.

Check whether the pass is personalised, activated or partly used. A season pass affected by a rules-based suspension raises different questions from a one-day booking; the related article Season pass withdrawn: ski-pass suspension after a rule breach addresses that situation.