Guiding Notes/Rates
Guiding is about more than simply reaching a summit or completing a route. It’s a partnership built on trust, good communication and sound judgement. Years of experience in challenging mountain environments have taught me that there’s always something to learn, and that recognizing our limitations is as important as developing our skills. My aim is to provide safe, enjoyable and rewarding days in the mountains, while sharing the knowledge and experience that help clients become more confident and capable mountaineers and skiers.
As a guide, my goals are threefold:
1. To show my clients a good time 2. To bring them home safely, and 3. To instill in my clients more confidence and a higher level of technical proficiency in the mountains.
As we gain trust in each other’s abilities, dispositions, and skill sets, we can move the goalposts farther, and higher, and tackle bigger and more challenging projects. But it is a process. One has to enjoy the process, as we generally don’t jump into the deep end right away. There is much truth to the common adage that joy is in found in the journey, and less so in the completion of a specific, planned objective. Some of my best days in the mountains are ones that haven’t gone exactly according to plan. In the mountains you will have good days (almost always), and not so good days (especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate), and sometimes, when the stars align, you will have some of the best days of your life! Make sure you are in position and ready to take advantage of these moments. This includes: staying fit, tracking the weather, understanding the nuances of the snowpack, having the right mindset, being adequately prepared (gear/clothing/basic skills), and having some guided days already under your belt.
Let’s start the process together.
. . .
Rate Schedule
Winter/Spring 2026-27
Standard Day Rates*
Client(s) : Guide Ratio
1:1..................€700/pp
2:1.................€375/pp
3:1..................€275/pp
4:1..................€250/pp
International Travel & Overnight Rates*
Client(s) : Guide Ratio
1:1................€750/pp
2:1................€400pp
3:1................€350/pp
4:1................€300/pp
The Fine Print
Booking & Cancellation Policy
Single-day bookings: Full payment is required to confirm your booking and reserve your guiding date.
Bookings of 2 days or more: A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking and reserve your guiding dates. The deposit forms part of the total trip price and covers initial planning and administration.
The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. Bookings made within 30 days require full payment upfront.
All payments are subject to the cancellation terms below.
Cancellation by the Client
Cancellations must be made by email. The following charges apply:
1–2 Days Guiding
30+ days before departure: Full refund minus a 5% administration fee (maximum €100).
15–29 days: 50% cancellation charge.
14 days or fewer: Up to 100% cancellation charge.
3+ Days Guiding
45+ days before departure: Full refund minus a 5% administration fee (maximum €100).
30–44 days: 20% cancellation charge.
15–29 days: 50% cancellation charge.
14 days or fewer: Up to 100% cancellation charge.
All percentages apply to the total booking price. Charges reflect administration, committed expenses and lost guiding dates, and will not exceed reasonable losses after accounting for costs saved or replacement bookings.
No future-trip credits are offered. No-shows and voluntary early departures are subject to the same cancellation terms.
Weather, Mountain Conditions & Safety
Mountain activities depend on weather, snow conditions and objective hazards. For safety reasons, I may change the planned route, objective or itinerary.
Where a suitable alternative guiding program can be provided within the booked dates, no refund will normally be offered solely because the original objective has changed. If no suitable alternative is possible, a refund will be provided for guiding services not delivered.
All safety decisions rest with the guide. Specific routes, summits and snow conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellation by the Guide
If I cannot provide the booked guiding services due to illness, injury or unforeseen circumstances, I will try to arrange a suitably qualified replacement guide.
If no suitable replacement or alternative is available, payments for cancelled services will be refunded.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, mountain rescue and repatriation is strongly recommended. Clients should ensure their policy covers their planned activities and destinations.
Scoping the line, west shoulder of l’Aiguille d'Chardonnet, Argentiere Valley, France (photo: Ross Hewitt)