General terms & conditions for guided activities and courses

1. Scope of application

These terms & conditions apply to all guided activities, courses, training days and multi-day programs offered and/or guided under the brand Dolomites Mountain Guides, including but not limited to:

• • Ski touring, freeride and steep skiing.
• • Ice climbing, single-pitch and multi-pitch.
• • Ski mountaineering.
• • Snowshoeing.
• • Rock climbing and multi-pitch routes.
• • Alpine and mixed mountaineering, glacier tours.
• • Via ferratas, ridge traverses and classic alpine hikes.
• • Avalanche training, risk awareness courses and educational events.
• • Multi-day hut-to-hut programs and alpine itineraries.
• • Treks and expeditions in the Dolomites and beyond.
• • Custom guiding, private instruction and bespoke programs.
• • Any other activity or program offered under the Dolomites Mountain Guides brand.

2. Organiser & guiding team

Trips are organised under the Dolomites Mountain Guides brand and led by IFMGA/UIAGM certified mountain guides and, where appropriate, by aspirant mountain guides operating within the limits of their qualification and applicable regulations.

The exact contracting entity (individual guide, association, company) will be specified in your booking confirmation and invoice. That entity is your contractual partner for the guided service.

3. Bookings, contract and communication

1. Non-binding enquiry. Requests sent via booking/contact forms, email or phone are considered non-binding.
2. Offer and program details. We reply with availability, a proposed program, requirements and a price indication.
3. Formation of contract. The guiding contract becomes binding when you explicitly confirm the offer in writing (e.g. email) and, where required, when we receive the indicated deposit by the due date.
4. Communication. Email is the primary channel. Where agreed, messaging apps/phone may be used for logistics. You are responsible for ensuring you can receive messages and for informing us promptly of changes to your contacts.

4. Prices, what is included and what is not

The guiding fee (and any agreed package price, if explicitly offered) is specified in the activity description and booking confirmation. Each program includes an "Included / Not included" section which forms part of the contract.

• Typically included: professional guiding/instruction, planning, route choice, and shared technical equipment where required (e.g. ropes and basic protection), plus pre-trip advice.
• Typically not included: travel to meeting point, local transport, lift passes, hut/hotel accommodation (including the guide's share unless stated), meals, drinks, personal equipment rental, insurance, rescue/evacuation costs and any third-party services.

In case of discrepancy between a generic description and your specific confirmation, the confirmation prevails.

5. Payments, deposits, due dates and payment methods

Unless otherwise specified in writing, the following principles apply:

• A deposit (commonly 20–40% of the guiding fee) may be required to confirm the booking. The exact amount and due date are stated in your booking confirmation.
• The remaining balance is typically due before the start of the activity. For short-notice bookings or specific programs, full payment may be required at confirmation.
• We may offer payment by bank transfer and/or by card via Stripe. Availability of methods may depend on program and timing and will be shown in your portal or confirmation.

If payments are not received by deadlines and you do not respond to reminders, we may treat the booking as cancelled by the guest and apply the cancellation terms below. If a payment fails or is reversed/charged back, the booking may be suspended or cancelled unless resolved.

6. Cancellations and changes by the guest

If you need to cancel or change your booking, please inform us as soon as possible in writing (email). Unless otherwise specified for a particular program, the following rules apply:

• Deposit: deposits are generally non-refundable. They cover planning, reserved guiding dates and preliminary work.
• Balance: if you cancel close to the start date, and dates cannot be re-booked, part or all of the remaining fee may still be due, subject to applicable law and fairness. Any non-refundable third-party costs remain your responsibility.
• Substitutions: replacements may be possible if agreed in advance and if the replacement is suitable for the program. Administrative costs may apply.

In serious situations (e.g. proven illness/injury), we will try to find a fair solution (reschedule, credit), taking into account planning already done and third-party costs already incurred.

7. Changes and cancellations due to conditions or by the guide

Mountains are dynamic. Weather, snowpack, rockfall, glacier conditions or other factors may require changes. Therefore:

• The guide may change the itinerary (route, summit, valley, length, meeting point) for safety or quality reasons.
• Reaching a specific summit/line is never guaranteed. The objective is a safe and high-quality day consistent with conditions and group factors.
• If we must cancel entirely due to reasons on our side (e.g. guide illness/emergency) and cannot offer an equivalent replacement, guiding fees already paid for that activity will be refunded or credited to another agreed date, subject to applicable law.
• We are not responsible for external costs outside our control (travel, accommodation, lifts, rentals, other providers), even if the plan changes or is cancelled.

8. Participant responsibilities and fitness

Participants commit to:

• Provide truthful information on experience, fitness and relevant medical conditions.
• Arrive with the required equipment in good condition, as per gear list.
• Follow the instructions and decisions of the guide, especially around safety, pacing and turn-around times.
• Respect other participants, local rules, landowners and hut staff.

The guide may exclude anyone whose behaviour, equipment or fitness compromises safety for the group, without refund if the situation was caused by missing/incorrect information or non-compliance.

9. Insurance & third-party costs

Mountain activities involve residual risk. Each participant is responsible for adequate insurance, which may include:

• • Rescue and medical insurance valid for off-piste skiing and mountaineering.
• • Travel cancellation insurance for unforeseen events.
• • Personal accident and liability insurance, where appropriate.

Unless stated otherwise, guiding fees do not include insurance. Rescue/evacuation/medical and early return costs are borne by participants and/or insurers.

10. Liability and limitations

Our guides operate with care and professionalism, in line with applicable regulations. However, inherent risks cannot be fully eliminated.

• We are liable only to the extent required by applicable law and within the limits of the guiding contract.
• Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by wilful misconduct or gross negligence where such limitation is not permitted by law.
• We are not liable for circumstances outside reasonable control (natural events, authority decisions, lift/road closures, third parties).

Your mandatory statutory consumer rights remain unaffected.

11. Personal data and privacy

We process personal data in connection with bookings, payments, communication and operation of this website in accordance with our Privacy policy , which forms an integral part of these terms.

12. Photos, video and storytelling

During trips we may take photos or short video clips for memories and, with your consent, for website/social media communication.

If you prefer not to appear in public material, tell the guide clearly at the start of the program. We will respect your choice.

13. Applicable law and jurisdiction

Unless otherwise required by mandatory consumer protection rules, the guiding contract and these terms are governed by the laws of Italy. Disputes will be submitted to the competent courts at the place of establishment of the organising guide or guiding company.

If you are a consumer resident in the EU, you may also have access to consumer dispute resolution mechanisms provided by your home country.

14. Final provisions

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in force. Any amendments or special agreements must be confirmed in writing.

Last updated: [28 Feb 2026]. This text is a general template and should be reviewed with professional legal advice for your exact situation.