Terms
General Terms and Conditions
The most important things first
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance for all tours booked with Südtirolalpin!
Unfortunately, tours often have to be cancelled at short notice for a variety of reasons (illness, injury, personal or business reasons). To protect ourselves against these total losses, cancellation fees are unavoidable for us as a small business. The conditions described below therefore apply without exception.
If the tour is cancelled by us (Südtirolalpin), you will not be charged any cancellation fees. You can find the details below under point 8.
1. Rates
Minimum rate
The statutory minimum rate for South Tyrolean mountain guides is set every April at the general meeting for the following year. It currently (as of 2026) stands at 440,- € per day (plus taxes). For tours booked early, we reserve the right to adjust the price to these set rates. This is always done in agreement with you; in the event of a price adjustment, you have the right to cancel free of charge.
Special rates
The daily rate is adjusted depending on the difficulty, risk potential or special features of the route (see tour description or individual quote). For long journeys (e.g. Western Alps, travel time > 5 hrs), an additional daily rate is charged.
2. Additional Costs & Expenses
Participant costs
Costs for your own travel, accommodation and meals are not included in the price.
Mountain guide expenses
The mountain guide's expenses (in particular accommodation, half board and lift, taxi or other transport costs) are not included in the fee and must be covered by the participants.
Additional costs paid in advance
If we organise or pay in advance for third-party services on your behalf (hotels, huts, transfers), the following applies in the event of cancellation: these amounts will not be refunded or credited. Any outstanding external cancellation fees will be invoiced in addition.
3. Booking & deposit
Conclusion of contract
A contract is concluded upon our written booking confirmation.
Deposit
A deposit is required for every tour. It is due within 10 days of our booking confirmation, but no later than before the start of the tour. With our booking confirmation, the date is binding for both parties; from this point on, the cancellation terms under point 4 apply – even if the deposit has not yet been received. If the deposit is not received despite a reminder, we may release the date. If you cancel, you are not entitled to a refund of the deposit.
Payment
Due date: The remaining balance (total price minus deposit) must be paid in full within the deadlines stated in the booking confirmation or invoice.
Time of payment: As a rule, the remaining balance is due immediately after the service has been provided (in cash or by bank transfer). For trips, courses or special multi-day tours, we reserve the right to request the remaining payment before the tour starts. Please refer to your personal invoice for the exact due date
Payment methods:
-
Cash payment to the mountain guide directly after the tour.
-
Bank transfer to the account stated on the invoice.
4. Cancellations by the customer
Cancellations must be made in writing (by email). As dates usually cannot be refilled at short notice, the following rates apply (based on the total price):
Category A: Day tours
(Tour duration: 1 day)
- More than 21 days before the planned tour, 100% of the deposit is due.
- 21 to 8 days before the scheduled date, 50% of the total price is due.
- 7 to 3 days before the scheduled date, 75% of the total price is due.
- 2 days or less before the scheduled date, 100% of the total price is due.
Category B: Multi-day tours and courses
(Tour duration: 2-3 days)
- More than 60 days before the planned tour, 100% of the deposit is due.
- 60 to 31 days before the scheduled date, 50% of the total price is due.
- 30 to 3 days before the scheduled date, 75% of the total price is due.
- 2 days or less before the scheduled date, 100% of the total price is due.
Category C: Trips, tour weeks and courses
(Tour duration: 4 days or more)
- More than 120 days before the planned trip, 100% of the deposit is due.
- 120 to 31 days before the planned trip, 75% of the total price is due.
- 30 days or less before the planned trip, 100% of the total price is due.
In the event of a no-show without cancellation, 100% of the total price is due.
The decisive date is the day on which we receive your written cancellation. Calendar days are counted up to the start of the tour; the tour day itself counts as 0 days.
Early termination
If you start a tour and end it early (for whatever reason), 100% of the price is due. There is no refund for unused days.
5. Third-party cancellation fees
All cancellation costs charged by third parties (huts, hotels, flights, etc.) are always passed on to you in addition and in full (100 %), regardless of the current cancellation tier of our guide fee.
6. Weather, conditions & safety
The decision on whether a tour goes ahead rests solely with the mountain guide. Bad weather or a lack of views are no reason for a free cancellation by the client.
Alternative offers
If a tour cannot take place due to weather or danger, we offer an alternative programme or an equivalent alternative tour. If you decline this reasonable alternative, the deposit is forfeited. No further guiding-fee cancellation charges then apply, but external third-party costs must be paid in full.
7. Programme changes & requirements
Changes to the programme
For safety reasons (weather, lack of ability), the mountain guide may adjust or cancel the programme. There is no entitlement to a reduction of the rate.
Requirements
The stated requirements (fitness, technique) form part of the contract. Anyone who does not meet them may be excluded. Please let us know in advance about any health restrictions (allergies, heart conditions, diabetes, etc.).
8. Cancellation by Südtirolalpin
A. Internal cancellation (e.g. guide illness, minimum number of participants not reached)
All amounts already paid to us will be refunded in full.
B. Cancellation due to force majeure (weather/safety)
If a tour has to be cancelled, we will try to offer an alternative. If no alternative is possible or it is declined, your payment will be held as a credit for a replacement date. There is no cash refund. Non-recoverable third-party costs are borne by the customer.
9. Liability & rental equipment
Liability
Mountaineering involves residual risks (rockfall, avalanches, etc.) that even a professional cannot entirely rule out. By booking, you accept this risk. Südtirolalpin's liability is limited to intent and gross negligence.
Rental equipment
We maintain our equipment carefully. We accept no liability for accidents caused by defects that cannot be detected. In the event of loss or damage (beyond normal wear and tear), the current value must be reimbursed.
10. Vouchers & Images
Vouchers
Valid for 2 years. If a tour booked with a voucher is cancelled, the normal cancellation terms apply; the voucher value is reduced by the cancellation fee.
Photos
Photos from the tour may be used (exclusively by Südtirolalpin) on the website or social media. If you do not want this, please let us know in writing before the tour starts.
FAMILY
ALPIN
Our offer for family-friendly tours and experiences:
Children up to the age of 14 go free with their parents
On tours marked accordingly, children up to the age of 14 go free with their parents (one free child per adult, minimum age 8). Rental equipment for children is free of charge on these tours. This must be requested directly when booking.
11. Place of jurisdiction & data protection
Italian law applies. The place of jurisdiction is Bolzano/South Tyrol. Your data will only be used to process your booking in accordance with the GDPR. Online dispute resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
