What people usually ask me.
If you don't find your answer here, write to me: I usually reply the same day.
If you've never tried before.
No problem: half the people I take out start from scratch. Every trip still has a technical level and a fitness level, you'll find them under "What you need" on each activity page.
Not sure a trip is right for you? Drop me a couple of lines about what you usually do (typical tours, grades, recent trips) and what you'd like to do. I'll tell you how I see it and, if needed, suggest a way to get there step by step.
It's how fluent you are on skis, on rock or on mixed ground: how you move on steep terrain, how relaxed you are on exposed passages, how comfortable you are with crampons, ice axe or multipitch routes. In the trip description you'll always find the grade or the type of terrain awaiting you.
It depends on the trip. For the basic days it's enough to be on your feet for a few hours and to feel like walking. The more demanding courses take a bit of training: I'll tell you beforehand.
The rope-team gear (ropes and shared equipment) I bring myself. Your personal technical equipment (harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet) can be rented in the valley for little: it's not included in the price. What you need are comfortable boots and layered clothing. I'll send you the precise list after booking.
Mandatory equipment (for example avalanche kit, helmet, harness, crampons) is always clearly indicated and everyone must have it with them.
If you're not sure whether your equipment is suitable (ski width, boots, crampons, rope), send me a photo or a list and I'll let you know.
For more technical trips I sometimes suggest a warm-up or preparation day before we commit to a bigger objective.
What a number really means.
I use a simple scale from 1 to 10 across all trips. It's not a precise technical grade, but a way to say how much a day demands of you as a whole: technical difficulty, effort, exposure and environment. The values are approximate.
- Range 1 to 2: getting started and very easy
- The idea: first times in the mountains and very relaxed days. 1, very easy. Short, non-exposed days on marked paths or very easy via ferratas. Roughly 300-500 m of climb, 2-4 hours walking, very short technical sections. For example: your first via ferrata, family-friendly snowshoeing, a beginner's crag. 2, easy. Still simple, but with the flavour of a real mountain day. Roughly 500-800 m of climb, 3-5 hours, the odd short exposed passage but always well protected. For example: classic blue/red ski tours in good conditions, easy via ferratas, non-glaciated peaks.
- Range 3 to 4: easy and progression
- The idea: for those who already spend a bit of time in the mountains. 3, easy to moderate. Longer days or slightly steeper terrain, but still technically straightforward. Roughly 800-1000 m of climb, 4-6 hours, a little exposure, basic movement with crampons or skis on variable snow. For example: classic ski touring days, PD-style mountaineering with short steeper sections. 4, moderate. A good day for those who walk or ski regularly. Roughly 1000-1200 m of climb, 5-7 hours, more continuous exposure or steeper slopes, a minimum of rope work or avalanche awareness. For example: classic Dolomites traverses, S2/S3 ski tours with short 35° sections, long via ferratas.
- Range 5 to 6: moderate and classic alpine days
- The idea: complete alpine days for those who already know the mountains well. 5, moderate to challenging. A clear step up: sustained slopes, long ridges or mixed ground. Roughly 1000-1400 m of climb, 6-8 hours, constant exposure, good crampon or ski technique on slopes of 35-38°. For example: multi-day ski traverses on glaciers, AD ridges, multipitch routes of moderate difficulty. 6, challenging. A "full" alpine day. You need to be efficient and relaxed on exposed terrain. Roughly 1200-1500 m of climb, 7-9 hours, sections up to about 40° on skis or mixed, more complex route-finding and objective hazards. For example: classic north-facing ski lines in good conditions, long D- rock routes, mixed AD+/D- itineraries.
- Range 7 to 8: difficult and advanced
- The idea: for those who already have experience and want serious lines. 7, difficult. Demanding technically or physically, with sustained sections where mistakes have consequences. Roughly 1300-1700 m of climb or big traverses, 8-10 hours and more, slopes of 40-45°, long exposed ridges, quick rope work. For example: steep skiing lines that require good technique and stable conditions, mixed D/D+ routes, long, demanding ridges. 8, very difficult / advanced. High commitment: remoteness, technical difficulty or both. Often an early start and a late return, complex glacier or mixed terrain, objective hazards to manage with great care. For example: serious steep skiing, long mixed routes in variable conditions, big alpine link-ups.
- Range 9 to 10: expert and project level
- The idea: personal-project territory, only for those with a great deal of experience. 9, expert. Very demanding technically and/or extremely committing. Steep, exposed terrain (45° and more on skis or serious mixed), long sections where turning back is complicated. For example: classic steep-skiing lines in full winter, big D+/TD- alpine faces, very long, demanding ridges. 10, extreme / project level. Reserved for exceptional objectives: serious technical difficulty, objective risk and commitment. Only for those with plenty of experience and who are well prepared, usually after one or more preparation days together. For example: top-level steep skiing or mixed and alpine routes where conditions, timing and teamwork all have to fall into place.
- Note
- The numbers are an indication, not a guarantee. If you're between two levels, it's usually better (and more enjoyable) to start with the easier one and build up from there.
If the weather doesn't hold.
Mountaineering, ski touring and climbing always involve a degree of uncertainty. My job is to make good decisions and reduce exposure where I can, certainly not to promise that risk goes to zero.
I take you out myself: I'm a UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide and I work in compliance with national regulations.
Small groups. I keep groups small, especially on technical terrain: we adapt quickly and I can keep an eye on you.
The ratio depends on the objective. On classic ski tours and easy via ferratas I can take a few more people; on steep skiing, technical ridges or mixed terrain the ratio stays very low.
You learn by doing. Even on guided days I get you involved: understanding the plan, practising the movements, training your eye for the risks, rather than just "following the rope".
I check the weather, avalanche bulletin and field observations before and during the trip, and I choose the terrain accordingly. I usually start looking 48 hours ahead.
I always explain a clear plan A/B/C: turn-around times, alternatives and what we do "if this happens".
If an objective no longer makes sense, we switch to something more suitable or move the date at no cost. I never take risks to "save" a day.
No. If the conditions aren't there we turn back and try again another time. The final decision on route and terrain rests with me: I'll explain it, but sometimes it has to be made quickly.
Yes. I carry professional liability insurance included on every trip. I still recommend that you also have:
Rescue and medical expenses insurance valid for mountaineering and off-piste skiing in the area where we go.
Cancellation insurance for the unexpected (injury, illness, travel problems and so on).
As a guide I work in compliance with national regulations and with appropriate professional cover. Going into the mountains still means accepting a share of personal risk. If you don't know where to look for your policy, I'll tell you where.
How it works.
Details can vary a little between a private trip and a group program: you'll find them in your confirmation.
You write to me, we talk it over, I send you a quote. A 30% deposit locks in the date; the balance is due on the day.
To lock in the date I usually ask for a 30% deposit. Timing and details are in the confirmation email.
The balance you pay before the trip: on the day itself for single days, a few weeks in advance for multi-day programs.
You can pay by card directly on the site or by bank transfer, whichever you prefer.
The deposit is usually non-refundable: it covers the planning, the reserved date and the work done beforehand.
If you cancel close to the date, part or all of the balance may remain due: it depends on how much notice you give me and whether I can reassign the day.
In serious cases (for example proven illness or injury, a family emergency) I always look for a fair solution: we move the date or I give you a voucher for a future trip.
If I have to cancel a trip for a reason on my side (illness, emergencies) and I can't offer you an equivalent replacement, what you've paid I'll refund or move to another date we decide together.
If the weather or conditions force us to change the objective, I'll suggest an alternative of the same character and value. Reaching exactly that summit or that line is never guaranteed.
Every program has its own "Included / Not included" section on the activity page. In general: my guiding fee, the shared technical equipment, the briefing and the insurance are included; huts, lifts, transfers and your personal equipment are not. If a cost isn't clear to you, feel free to ask before booking, I prefer to put everything in black and white.
My fee as a UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide
Planning of the program and day-by-day route choices, based on conditions
The shared technical equipment where needed (rope and basic protection, depending on the activity)
Advice on equipment, preparation and realistic objectives
Travel to the meeting point and transfers in the area
Ski passes and lifts (cable cars, taxis and the like)
Board and lodging in huts or hotels (the guide's share is usually split between participants)
Rental of personal equipment (skis, avalanche kit, harness, helmet and so on)
Your own insurance and rescue or helicopter costs
Feel free to ask me.
If you have a question, write to me. I usually reply the same day.