Alps Climbing • Booking Information

Booking Information for Alps Mountaineering

Booking other trips

Trekking
Alps summer climbing
US climbing & skiing
Non-private ski tours
Private ski tours
Chamonix off-piste
Canada climbing & skiing
Expeditions

All of our Alps summer climbing trips are arranged on a custom and private basis. That is, we don't have fixed departure dates, but arrange our schedule to match yours. This means that many of the trips are at a 1:1 climber to guide ratio, unless, of course, you have friends or family with whom you would like to climb. We don't match up strangers on an Alps climbing trip.

For Trekking Programs in the Alps use this Trekking booking information page.

Step 1	The first step in booking a climbing trip in the Alps with us is to contact us and find out if we are available for the dates you would like. You can also check our availability page to get a general idea, but you'll still need to check with us personally to confirm. We'll discuss what length trip would be good for you and you can ask any questions about the trip that have not been addressed on the web site. We're happy to answer whatever questions you might have. Our summer Alps season usually extends from June 15 to September 25. The rate at which it books up varies from year to year. But almost every year, we are about 80% booked by the previous New Years, and it seems that each year we book up earlier. We give preference to returning clients, but if you are a returning client you should still contact us as early as you can. If you are looking for a short trip, this may be easier for us to accommodate, but if you would like 6 or more days, contact us early. If we are unable to accommodate you, we suggest you contact one of the guides on our Recommended Guides in the Alps page.
Step 2	Second, we need to confirm that your goals and skills are a good match for the trip. This really is seldom an issue as your trip will be a custom program and we can make adjustments as needed. If, for example, you want to climb Mont Blanc but are not sure this is a good choice for you, then we can do several warm-up climbs, and hopefully learn if it's a good idea. Also, because it is a private program we can always start out, and simply turn back if it's not working out. The joys of having your own guide!
Step 3	Last, you'll need to fill out our registration form below and return it to us, either by mail or electronically. Additional link below Also, please fill out our online emergency contact and evacuation insurance form. To reserve your spot, we'll need a deposit of 25% of the total fees for the trip. The balance due date is 60 days prior to the start of the trip. If you are booking within the balance due date, full fees are required. See our cancellation and refund policies lower on this page. Payment Options We can accept payment by check, credit card or bank transfer. If you are booking only a short time before your trip, please contact us to determine the best way to make a payment. Sometimes we are not at home to receive your payment by check. Please do not make payments until you have contacted us and confirmed that: We can accommodate you on our schedule, and We have agreed that the trip you are signing up for is a good match with your skills. This concern is especially important with the ski trips.
Step 4	We'll confirm your booking and discuss with you what additional trip information or advice you might need.

Online Registration Forms

2021 Climbing Registration Form

Fill in our online Emergency Contact Form

Please take a moment to fill in this online form. There is no hurry with this, but we'd like to have it before the start of your trip.

Emergency Contact and Evacuation Form

Payment and Cancellation Policies

Deposit & Payment Schedule

In order to secure your place in a program a deposit of 25% of the trip fees is due at the time of registration. We cannot hold your place without this deposit. Phone reservations can be held for 6 days while we await your payment.

The balance of the trip fees is due 60 days prior to the starting day of the trip. This is the balance due date. For registration after the balance due date, full payment is due at the time of registration.

If full payment is not received by the balance due date and other arrangements are not made with us, we reserve the right to consider your registration canceled.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

If you cancel your enrollment for any reason the following policy applies:

Cancellation occurring after the balance due date will result in a complete forfeiture of all payments and deposit. The only exception to this occurs when we have somebody waiting to take your place, in which case we will refund all payments and deposit.

If you cancel your enrollment before the balance due date you will receive a refund of all payments and deposit.

Trip cancellation, Interruption & Emergency Evacuation Insurance

In order to protect yourself from the loss of non-refundable fees we strongly recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance. This type of insurance will allow you to recover fees resulting from cancellation due to personal or family illness occurring before or during your program. Most types also allow you to recover non-refundable travel expenses in the event that we are forced to cancel due to inadequate registration.

Emergency evacuation insurance, often included with trip cancellation, covers the normally very high cost of evacuation from remote mountainous areas. We strongly recommend that participants on trips to South America and Asia purchase emergency evacuation insurance. Policies are available through your insurance or travel agents.