Practical information

How our trips work – clear, honest information

This page is here to answer the most common questions about how we work: difficulty levels, group sizes, what’s included in the price, how bookings and payments are handled, and what happens if the weather or conditions change. We want you to know exactly what to expect before you commit.

Difficulty levels & who our trips are for

Each trip has a technical and a fitness level. You’ll find this clearly described under “Requirements” on each activity page.

Technical level

Refers to your skills on skis, rock or mixed terrain: how you move on steep ground, how solid you are on exposed sections, and how familiar you are with crampons, ice axe or multipitch climbing. The description always mentions the expected grade or type of terrain.

Fitness & experience

Describes typical elevation gain, hours on the move and required previous experience (for example: “used to 1000–1200 m per day on skis” or “comfortable on long days with a backpack and some exposure”).

Unsure if a trip matches your level? Send us a short message with what you already do (typical tours, grades, recent trips) and your goals. We’re happy to give honest feedback and suggest a progression, instead of simply “selling a program”.

Difficulty scale 1–10 – what a number really means

We use a simple 1–10 scale across all activities. It is not a strict technical grade, but a way to describe the overall commitment of a day: technical difficulty, fitness, exposure and environment. The values are approximate, but they should help you understand what a day will feel like on the mountain.

Range 1–2 – Intro & very easy

Idea: first mountain experiences and very relaxed days.

  • 1 – Very easy.  Short, non-exposed days on marked paths or very easy via ferratas. Roughly 300–500 m climb, 2–4 hours moving, very short technical sections. Examples: first via ferrata, family-friendly snowshoeing, beginner rock crag.
  • 2 – Easy.  Still simple, but feels like a “real” mountain day. Roughly 500–800 m climb, 3–5 hours, occasional short exposed passages but always well protected. Examples: classic blue/red ski tours in good conditions, easy via ferratas, non-glaciated peaks.

Range 3–4 – Easy / progression

Idea: for people who already spend some time in the mountains.

  • 3 – Easy–moderate.  Longer days or slightly steeper terrain, but still technically straightforward. Roughly 800–1000 m climb, 4–6 hours, some exposure, basic movement with crampons or skis in variable snow. Examples: standard ski touring days, PD-style mountaineering with short steeper sections.
  • 4 – Moderate.  Solid day for regular hillwalkers or ski tourers. Roughly 1000–1200 m climb, 5–7 hours, more continuous exposure or steeper slopes, basic rope work or avalanche awareness required. Examples: classic Dolomites traverses, S2–S3 ski tours with short 35° sections, longer via ferratas.

Range 5–6 – Moderate / classic alpine days

Idea: full alpine days for guests who are already well used to the mountains.

  • 5 – Moderate–challenging.  A clear step up: sustained slopes, longer ridges or mixed ground. Roughly 1000–1400 m climb, 6–8 hours, consistent exposure, solid crampon or ski technique on 35–38° slopes. Examples: multi-day ski traverses on glaciated terrain, AD ridges, multipitch up to moderate grades.
  • 6 – Challenging.  “Full value” alpine day. You need to be efficient and relaxed in exposed terrain. Roughly 1200–1500 m climb, 7–9 hours, sections up to around 40° on skis or mixed, more complex route-finding and objective hazards. Examples: classic north-facing ski lines in good conditions, long D- rock routes, mixed AD+/D- itineraries.

Range 7–8 – Difficult / advanced

Idea: for experienced guests who want serious lines.

  • 7 – Difficult.  Technically or physically demanding, with sustained sections where mistakes have consequences. Roughly 1300–1700 m climb or big traverses, 8–10+ hours, 40–45° slopes, long exposed ridges, efficient rope work required. Examples: steep ski lines that require strong technique and stable conditions, D/D+ mixed routes, long committing ridges.
  • 8 – Very difficult / advanced.  High commitment: remoteness, technical difficulty or both. Often early start and late finish, complex glacier or mixed terrain, objective hazards must be managed very carefully. Examples: serious steep skiing, long mixed routes in variable conditions, big alpine link-ups.

Range 9–10 – Expert / project level

Idea: personal project territory, only for very experienced guests.

  • 9 – Expert.  Technically very demanding and/or extremely committing. Steep, exposed terrain (45°+ on skis or serious mixed), long sections where retreat is complex. Examples: classic hard steep-skiing lines in full winter, big D+/TD- alpine faces, very long committing ridges.
  • 10 – Extreme / project level.  Reserved for exceptional objectives: serious technical difficulty, objective risk and commitment. Only for highly experienced, well-prepared guests and usually after one or more preparation days together. Examples: top-end steep skiing or mixed/alpine routes where conditions, timing and team alignment all have to come together.

The numbers are an indication, not a guarantee. If you are between two levels, it is usually safer (and more enjoyable) to start with the easier option and build up from there.

Guides, aspirant guides & group sizes

Trips are led by IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guides and, where appropriate, by aspirant mountain guides working within the limits of their qualification and national regulations.

  • Small groups.  We keep group sizes small, especially on technical terrain, to maintain safety, good pace and real coaching.
  • Ratios adapted to the objective.  Classic ski tours and easy via ferratas allow higher ratios, while steep skiing, technical ridges or mixed routes require very low ratios.
  • Learning by doing.  Even on guided days you are invited to take part in the process: understanding the plan, practising movement skills and learning how decisions are made, rather than simply “following the rope”.

Safety, risk & changing plans

Mountaineering, ski touring and climbing always involve a degree of risk. Our job is to manage that risk professionally and transparently, never to pretend that it doesn’t exist.

  • We constantly monitor weather, avalanche bulletins and conditions before and during the trip and we adapt the plan if needed.
  • We clearly explain the plans A, B and C, including turn-around times, alternative routes or different valleys.
  • If we judge that an objective is not reasonable for safety reasons, we will change it, even if that means not reaching “the main goal”.

Final safety decisions always remain with the guide. We will listen to your expectations and explain our reasoning, but conditions in the mountains sometimes require quick, conservative choices.

Bookings, payments & cancellations

How to book

You can request a trip either from the activity page (booking form) or via the contact page. We’ll reply with availability, a proposed program and the total cost.

Deposits & balance

  • To confirm a booking we usually ask for a deposit. Details and deadlines are clearly written in your confirmation email.
  • The remaining balance is due before the start of the trip (for multi-day programs often some weeks in advance).
  • Payments are usually by bank transfer; in some cases we may offer other options, which will be clearly indicated.

Cancellations by the guest

  • Deposits are generally non-refundable. They cover planning, reserved dates and preliminary work.
  • For cancellations close to the start date, part or all of the remaining balance may still be due, depending on how much notice we receive and whether the dates can be re-booked.
  • In serious situations (e.g. proven illness or injury, family emergency) we will always try to find a fair solution, such as re-scheduling or issuing a partial credit for a future trip.

Cancellations or changes by the guide

  • If we have to cancel a trip for reasons on our side (illness, emergencies) and we cannot offer an equivalent replacement, any amounts you have paid will be refunded or transferred to another agreed date.
  • If weather or conditions force us to change the objective, we will propose a safe alternative of similar character and value. Reaching the exact original summit or line is never guaranteed.

Note: detailed terms may differ slightly between private trips and group programs and will always be specified in your confirmation.

What’s included in the price – and what isn’t

Typically included

  • Professional guiding by an IFMGA mountain guide or aspirant guide
  • Planning of the program and route choice based on conditions
  • Safety equipment used by the guide (ropes, technical gear for the guide)
  • Advice on equipment, training and preparation

Typically not included

  • Transport to the meeting point and any local transfers
  • Lift passes and mountain transport (cable cars, taxis, etc.)
  • Accommodation and half-board in huts or hotels (guide’s share is usually split between participants)
  • Personal equipment rental (skis, avalanche kit, harness, helmet, etc.)
  • Personal insurance and rescue / helicopter costs

Each program has its own “Included / Not included” section on the activity page. If you are unsure about any cost, please ask before booking – we prefer to clarify everything in advance.

Equipment, rental & preparation

For every activity you’ll receive a detailed gear list. If you are missing something, we can help you organise rentals locally when possible.

  • Mandatory safety equipment (for example avalanche kit, helmet, harness, crampons) is clearly indicated and must be carried by each participant.
  • If you are unsure whether your existing equipment is suitable (ski width, boots, crampons, rope, etc.), send us a photo or a short list and we’ll give you feedback.
  • For more technical trips we may ask you to do a short warm-up or test day before committing to a bigger objective.

Insurance & responsibility

We strongly recommend that every participant has:

  • Rescue and medical insurance valid for mountaineering and off-piste skiing in the region where we operate.
  • Trip cancellation insurance to cover unforeseen events (injury, illness, travel disruptions, etc.).

As professional guides we operate under national regulations and with appropriate professional liability cover. However, participation in mountain activities always implies a personal acceptance of residual risk.

Still unsure about something?

If you have any doubts – about your level, a specific route, logistics, or how a certain program is organised – just send us a message. Transparent communication is part of our job, and sometimes a five-minute chat is enough to understand if a trip is the right match for you.

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