Resources
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
Pikes Peak Alpine School Payment and Cancellation Policy
PAYMENT & DEPOSIT:
- A 50% deposit is required to secure your trip date and guide. The remaining balance is due 14 days prior to the start of the trip. Upon registration request, we will contact you to confirm the details of your request.
- We require full payment at the time of booking for AIARE Courses, AMGA SPI training and assessments, public courses, 1/2 day trips, and all trips booked within 14 days of activity.
- We accept major credit cards, cash, and checks made payable to Pikes Peak Alpine School.
CANCELLATIONS:
- At minimum, a 10% administrative fee will be collected on all cancelled private trips and spaces reserved in public courses.
- Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the trip/course date are eligible for a reschedule or a refund less a 10% administrative fee.
- For cancellations made within 30-15 days of the trip/course date, the deposit or half of the course fee is non-refundable.
- For cancellations made within 14 days of the trip/course, the trip/course fee is non-refundable.
- “No shows” are non-refundable and no reschedule option is available.
- North Cascades National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Red Rock (Nevada) trips are only refundable up to 45 days from the start date, less a 10% administrative fee.
- Alaska (Denali National Park and Preserve) trips are only refundable up to 120 days from the start date, less a 10% administrative fee. 60 days prior to start date, 40% refund only.
- Barr Camp, van shuttle, and cog train fees are non-refundable.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS: Weather is an inherent part of the mountain environment and we may experience conditions that you do not consider ideal. As professional mountain guides and risk managers, weather is one of many objective hazards that we account for in our trip planning. If your guide determines that the weather is permissible and you instead wish to terminate the trip, the trip will be cancelled and no refund will be issued. Prior to the trip, if weather conditions are deemed to be too adverse by your guide, you may reschedule the trip without penalty or choose a full refund. We reserve the right to change start times and itineraries to give us the best possible chances for success based on weather and other conditions.
COVID CANCELLATIONS: Covid-19 is covered in the same way as other medical conditions.
TRIP/TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance to protect your climbing trip investment in the event of unusual circumstances such as injury or illness that prevent the start or completion of your climb/course. Trip insurance is available from many insurance providers, credit card companies, as well as specialized travel insurance companies such as IMG Travel Insurance.
WAIT LIST: If a course is full on the date you have requested, we will gladly add your name to our wait list.
GROUPS: Groups are welcome to register for any course we offer. We also custom design programs to meet your group’s needs; special group rates may apply.
FORMS: All participants are required to sign a RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE. All forms must be signed by the participant or by a parent or legal guardian.
What age groups and abilities do you cater to?
All ages 6 and up and all skill levels are welcome! Please call our office to discuss how we can best accommodate any special needs or concerns.
Is guide gratuity included in the price?
Guide gratuity is not included in the trip price. Tipping is a well-established practice in the professional guiding industry and is appreciated when your guide delivers a great experience.
What do I need to bring to climb or ski with you?
Everyone who climbs and skis with us will receive a seasonally appropriate gear checklist to ensure you are fully prepared for your specific trip. For programs catering to beginning or progressing climbers and skiers, personal climbing gear is included. We do have a small rental fleet of equipment (helmets, harnesses, backpacks, mountaineering boots, crampons, etc.) for most of the adventures we offer. It is the client’s responsibility to provide all soft goods (i.e. clothing) on the gear list.
What is trip/travel insurance and where can I get it?
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance to protect your trip/course investment in the event of unusual circumstances (such as injury or illness) that prevent the start or completion of your trip/course. Trip insurance is available from many insurance providers, credit card companies, and specialized travel insurance companies such as IMG Travel Insurance.
Do you offer adaptive climbing?
Absolutely! Climbing is all about adapting to our physical and objective circumstances. We welcome working with your adaptive requirements.
When are courses and private trips conducted during the year?
We guide 365 days a year! We guide rock, ice, and snow, so adventure is always in season!
What is the difference between a course and a trip?
Our public courses have more of an educational (specific skills development) focus. Dates for these courses are posted prior to the start of each season and are offered at an approachable price point. Any of our courses may be scheduled as a private trip for individuals or small groups.
A “trip” refers to a private experience that is curated to meet your specific scheduling requirements and objectives.
Ive never climbed a 14er. Can I climb Pikes Peak?
Yes! Physically fit people who regularly engage in aerobic activity are well suited to take on their first 14er! Our professional guides will teach the techniques needed to safely and successfully climb high peaks in Colorado and beyond. We will assist with training and gear recommendations when you book your private trek with us.
Is Pikes Peak Alpine School an actual school?
Pikes Peak Alpine School is a professional guiding service that operates exclusively within the AMGA scope of practice, the highest level of guidance in the United States. All of our guides and instructors are certified within their specific disciplines. Our passion is teaching best practices to all aspiring alpinists, mountaineers, climbers, and skiers. So although we are not a “school” in the conventional sense, we are a leading educator of mountain safety and technique in Colorado and beyond.
Where should I stay while climbing with Pikes Peak Alpine School?
The Pikes Peak region is home to a wide variety of lodging options. Take a look at our Lodging Page for more information. We are happy to recommend a play to stay – just ask! We recommend staying on the western side of Colorado Springs for quick access to our local crags and Pikes Peak.
We Leave No Trace
With the rise in popularity of backpacking and climbing, the mountains around the world are being visited by ever increasing numbers of people. We are drawn to the mountains for their beauty, purity, remoteness, ruggedness, and the unique challenges they present. The mountains are our home, and it can sometimes be challenging to Leave No Trace and maintain the natural beauty of the wilderness areas we explore. At PPAS we take Leave No Trace ethics and practices very seriously. The mountains are our home and we are unwilling to sacrifice their preservation for human objectives.
We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more beautiful than working hard to get high into the mountains, come upon a pristine campsite, witness incredible views and have the feeling that no one has been there before. And there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste and/or toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles below and feel free to call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead and prepare.
Thanks for taking the time to read this information. We look forward to climbing with you.
1) PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
- Define your trip itinerary and objectives by researching relevant information including: route conditions, avalanche danger, weather forecasts, and local permits and regulations.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, emergencies and self-rescue.
- Determine the strategy for your team’s food and fuel consumption, and for waste disposal.
- Choose an appropriate route that suits your team¹s size, ability and experience. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends.
- Repackage your food into reusable containers or bags.
- Carry and know how to use a map, compass, altimeter, route markers and, possibly, a global positioning system unit.
2) TRAVEL AND CAMP ON SAFE, DURABLE SURFACES
On Trail
- Focus your activities on durable surfaces, including: established trails, deep snow, rock or inorganic soil. Avoid vegetation, thin snow cover and organic soils.
- Establish an appropriate route up the mountain, taking into consideration the team’s safety and Leave No Trace principles. Plan your route with the idea that others will follow.
- Whenever possible and safe, remove route markers during your descent.
At Camp
- In high-use areas, use established campsites. In pristine areas, minimize your impacts by breaking down constructed snow walls and wind breaks.
- Use man-made tent anchors (ice screws, axes, poles, etc.) whenever possible. Replace any rocks or other natural anchors where found.
3) DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY
- Pack It In, Pack It Out. Pack out everything you carry with you including garbage, trash, and extra fuel. Trash left at altitude or in crevasses does not biodegrade. Whenever possible, remove others’ discarded waste from the mountain.
- In high use areas, use established restroom facilities. Otherwise, pack out solid human waste via “blue bags” or other techniques. If packing out all solid human waste is not possible due to trip duration, refer to local protocols on how to dispose of human waste.
- Designate a “clean snow” area (up slope from camp) to serve as your water source. Focus your activities and waste disposal sites away from this area.
- Consolidate liquid human waste in a designated urinal down slope from camp and away from the designated water (snow) source. Consider using a “pee bottle” in camp to facilitate disposal. When traveling, step off the trail to urinate, so others won’t have to hike through yellow snow.
- Dispose of gray water (dishwater) in a designated sump hole down slope from camp. Strain the dishwater and pack out all leftover solids.
4) LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
- Leave all rocks, plants, animals and historical or cultural artifacts as you find them.
5) MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
- Always carry a lightweight camp stove. Adequate wood is generally unavailable on mountaineering expeditions, making fires infeasible and inappropriate.
6) RESPECT WILDLIFE
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed wildlife or leave food behind to be eaten.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Anticipate changing weather conditions by marking your cache.
7) BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS
- Communicate and cooperate with other teams.
- Yield to uphill climbers by stepping off the route onto a durable surface.
- Avoid unnecessarily clustering campsites whenever possible.
- Let nature’s sounds prevail. Keep loud voices and noises to a minimum.
- Take rest breaks off the route, away from other campsites, and on a durable surfaces.
