General FAQ

We operate on a guiding model common in Europe. Indigo Alpine Guides is mostly just me, Jack! When needed we hire other folks we trust to work alongside us. IAG provides the business and legal structure needed to guide in the United States and internatioanlly, but really, when you hire us, your hiring the personalized attention, skill, and experience of Jack.

We never intend to get big -- we got into guiding to get to adventure in the mountains with amazing people from all walks of life... getting big means that I stop doing that and start working in the office :(

Of course! Solo travelers are welcomed on any of our scheduled group trips. Joining a trip as a solo traveler can be a great way to meet other like-minded individuals and to create lasting friendships.

Tipping is customary. We recommend to tip like you're at a restraunt -- 10% for so so, 15% for good and 20% for an excellent experience This is apercentage of the total cost of the trip. Cash or Venmo given to the guide is the preferred method. For trips with multiple guides, the gratuity will typically be split down the middle or, in rare cases in proportion to workload.

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All of our guides are trained in wilderness medicine at the professional level. Each guide carries a large comprehensive first aid kit appropriate to the trip. Cell phones are carried at all times, and on all remote backcountry trips, a Garmin Inreach GPS device will be brought and used in the event of an emergency. There is no “typical” emergency and actual procedures depend on location, type of injury, and resources available.

Upon confirmation of your trip, Indigo Alpine Guides enters into financial obligation and cannot refund payment or release you from your contractual obligation except for the condition stated above in “Cancellations.” To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance is strongly recommended in the event you cannot participate or if your trip is interrupted “for any reason.” We recommend IMG Signature Travel Insurance via Global Rescue for trip cancellation and medical insurance while travelling within the US.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our policy or obtaining insurance.

All participants are strongly encouraged to have personal internationally accepted medical insurance for all activities pertaining to your trip, including emergency rescue and evacuation. With your insurance, please ensure you will be covered for “roped travel” if booking a technical trip.

The Contiguous 48 - Not Required, strongly encouraged

International - Required.

All minors (under 18 years of age) participating in courses and trips must have a waiver signed by a legal parent or guardian. Minors who wish to participate in multi-day backcountry courses/trips may only do so while accompanied by a guardian.

It is uncommon that our trips do not reach the minimum number of participants, but it does happen on occasion. Even more uncommon is IAG not being able to find a practical alternative option. We will notify you if the minimum has not yet been met and we can discuss alternative options. However, last-minute sign-ups are common to many of our departures and we will not fully cancel a trip more than 30 days prior to the trip start. Ultimately, if IAG cancels the trip due to low participation, a full refund is always an option. If you prefer, we will also work with you to find an alternative solution that you are happy with. In the past, guests have opted to join a different trip in the same time frame, transferred their trip cost to a future trip, or even split the cost of a small group surcharge to make the original trip happen.

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