AlpineRob Booking Terms and Conditions

GENERAL

AlpineRob Guiding Service is operated by Rob Wills, IFMGA / UIAGM International Mountain & Ski Guide. He is a fully qualified British Mountain Guide and holds the IFMGA carnet, which is the only UK qualification valid abroad for climbing and skiing off-piste on glacial terrain.

All bookings and payments must be made electronically, to ensure timely communication and transfer.

BOOKING PROCEDURE

1.       Contact AlpineRob using the booking enquiry form or email, stating your preferred activity, number in group and possible dates. You must give a telephone number.

2.       Rob will telephone you to discuss your plans in detail and then propose a suitable itinerary based on your skills, experience and ambitions. This itinerary will be confirmed by email, along with the total price and deposit required.

3.       When the itinerary is agreed, either complete the online booking form or email the completed MS Word Booking form to rob@AlpineRob.com. Your non – refundable deposit should be paid to Rob Wills by bank transfer. Rob will supply the necessary details with your itinerary.

4.       Confirmation of the booking will be made once the booking form and deposit have been received.

5.       The balance of the guiding fee is to be paid 6 weeks prior to the start date. If the balance is not paid in full by this time then the booking will be treated as cancelled by you.

6.       If a booking is made within 8 weeks of the start date then the full guiding fee is required to secure your booking.

PAYMENT

1.       Payment must be made by internet bank transfer. Rob will supply the necessary details with your itinerary.

2.       If you are booking more than 8 weeks prior to the start date, a deposit of 40% of the total cost must be paid at the time of booking. The balance of the guiding fee is to be paid 6 weeks prior to the start date. If the balance is not paid in full by this time then the booking will be treated as cancelled by you.

3.       If your booking is made within 8 weeks of the start date, then the full guiding fee is required to secure your booking.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

1.       AlpineRob must be notified of any cancellations by the client as soon as possible. Any telephone notification must be confirmed by email as soon as possible following the initial cancellation.

2.       Holiday insurance providing cancellation and curtailment cover is highly recommended.

3.        Cancellation charges will be as follows:
            More than 6 weeks prior to the start date: 40% of Guiding fee.
            2 – 6 weeks prior to start date: 80% of Guiding fee.
            Less than 2 weeks prior to start date: No refund given.

4.       Every attempt is made to make sure a booking runs as planned. However, unforeseen circumstances may result in the booking being cancelled by AlpineRob.

5.        Cancellation of the booking by AlpineRob will result in a full refund of any booking fee paid at that time.

6.       Rob WIlls will endeavour to offer alternative dates if he has to cancel a booking.

TERMS

1.       Guided activities require a certain amount of previous experience and fitness. Rob Wills will ask you to assess the fitness and experience of all members of your group and he will plan your itinerary accordingly.

2.       Every effort will be made to ensure planned itineraries are fulfilled. Weather, mountain conditions and other circumstances may cause them to be changed at short notice.

3.       Climbing, mountaineering and skiing are dangerous activities with risk of personal injury or death. You must accept these risks. Rob Wills will always ensure a high professional standard of safety and instruction but cannot accept responsibility for personal illness, injury or death during mountain based activities.

4.       If a client turns up without the declared amount of previous experience and becomes a hindrance or danger to themselves or other members of the group then Rob may, at his discretion, ask the individual to leave the group. No refund will be given in this instance.

5.       INSURANCE AGAIN. Your insurance policies must cover cancellation and curtailment. On alpine mountaineering courses you must have cover for the use of mountain guides, roped climbing and travel in glaciated areas. (See below)

Guiding Services in the Alps
Prices for all Guiding services in the Alps cover the following: <

·         the guide’s fee

·         the guide’s uplift costs

·         the guide’s overnight hut costs and lunches

·         the guide’s technical equipment

·         safety equipment provided by the guide

·         Local transport for up to 3 people, unless we are using public transport. For longer distances, transport costs will be discussed.

The following are not covered by the guiding fee:

·         your equipment

·         travel to and from the start of the trip

·         your insurance

·         your accommodation and food

·         your overnight hut fees and uplift costs

·         any overnight valley costs

Scotland – Winter climbing
All prices for Scotland based guiding cover the following:

·         the guide’s fee

·         the guide’s technical equipment

·         safety equipment provided by the guide

·         the guide’s food and accommodation

·         Local transport for up to 3 people. If long distances need to be driven we will discuss fuel costs.

The following are not covered by the guiding fee:

·         your equipment

·         your accommodation and food

·         travel to and from your Scotland accommodation

·         your insurance

It is vitally important that you have adequate insurance cover for your trip to the Alps.
You need appropriate cover for your chosen activity, in the company of a Mountain Guide. “Alpine mountaineering”, “on glaciated terrain”, “with the use of ropes” are terms used in insurance policies. Please make sure you buy the appropriate cover. Cancellation cover is also necessary in case you need to cancel your trip for any reason. That way you will be able to recover any money spent to date, eg, the guiding fee.

·         Cancellation or curtailment

·         Search and rescue

·         Helicopter rescue

·         Repatriation

·         Altitude above 2000m and up to and including required altitude for your climb/training

·         Grade of climb/training

You may wish to consider:

BMC (for members only) - the Alpine and Ski Policy is suitable for the Alps and Scottish Winter Climbing

Snowcard covers Alpine Climbing

Austrian Alpine Club  membership includes rescue insurance for all typical members' activities. You will still need a standard insurance policy to cover cancellation etc

END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS