Terms and Conditions

Pink Alpine AG is a travel provider for gay, bisexual, and heterosexual people based in Bern, Switzerland. Our tours and trips are opportunities for everyone to connect. All our published prices are per person in Swiss francs.

Booking and payment

Bookings are made via the booking form on the respective offers at www.pinkalpine.lgbt. To ensure optimal preparation of the tours and trips, we appreciate bookings made up to 30 days in advance. If spaces are still available, we are happy to accept last‑minute bookings up to the day before the start of the tour – this can also be done by phone or email. Places are allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. You will receive written confirmation of your booking by email or letter. From this point on, the booking is binding and legally valid, and you accept the “General Terms and Conditions.” Payment of the total amount is due no later than 30 days before the start of the tour. For bookings made less than 30 days in advance, the total amount is due immediately. Deposits are required for certain offers.

Minimum number of participants

Our goal is to operate as many tours and trips as possible. Most offers have a minimum number of participants. If this minimum is not reached, the trip may still be offered with a small group surcharge. If you decline this surcharge, we will refund all payments already made. For destinations outside of Switzerland, confirmation of the trip’s operation will be given no later than 30 days before departure. For trips within Switzerland, the trip may be canceled up to 14 days before departure. We reserve the right to cancel a tour or trip early if we see that the minimum number of participants will not be reached. In the event of cancellation by Pink Alpine AG, all payments already made by registered participants will be refunded. Further claims for compensation and damages are excluded in all cases.

Requirements for participation

A willingness to embrace new experiences and gain valuable group experiences significantly contributes to a positive experience. Please inform us of any health conditions or risks that may affect the smooth execution of an activity when you register. We can then advise you and, if necessary, suggest a suitable alternative. Most activities, especially hiking, skiing, and biking tours, require specific technical skills, fitness, and equipment. These requirements are listed in the activity description. By booking, you confirm that you meet the requirements for participation in the respective activity. Should a participant not meet the requirements, and should this result in additional costs, the participant is obligated to cover these costs. They may also be excluded from the tour for safety reasons. In this case, there is no entitlement to a refund.

Program changes

Weather conditions are a crucial factor for outdoor activities. Trips and tours generally take place in all weather conditions, but routes and durations may be subject to change for safety reasons. Pink Alpine reserves the right to adjust the program and/or change the location due to unfavorable conditions or group composition. We strive to offer suitable alternatives and inform you of any changes to another area well in advance. However, short‑notice program adjustments may be necessary, particularly for safety reasons. By registering, you agree to the possibility of being rebooked to other areas or to program changes. Participants are responsible for any additional costs (e.g., cable car rides, taxis, accommodation supplements, etc.); any underpayments will be refunded.

In exceptional circumstances (e.g., very high avalanche danger, group guide unavailability, severe weather, flooding), Pink Alpine may cancel a tour or trip at short notice. Registered participants will be refunded all payments already made, less any deposits paid to hotels, agencies, and guides that Pink Alpine cannot recover. Further claims are excluded.

Professionally guided trips and tours

Each trip or tour is led by a qualified guide. Their instructions and decisions must be followed in the interest of the group and, in particular, for safety. Anyone who repeatedly disobeys the guide’s decisions or instructions may be excluded from the remainder of the trip or tour. In this case, there is no right to a refund, nor are any further claims for compensation possible.

Obligations of the participants

All participants receive detailed information to prepare for the trip. This includes important equipment requirements. Being outdoors means being prepared for all situations. The requirements for participants are stated in the offer description on www.pinkalpine.ch. A distinction is made between endurance and technical requirements. Participants commit to mutual respect and helpfulness within the group, as well as environmentally conscious and consensus‑oriented behavior. In the event of an incident, do not disclose any information about the tour, the incident, or the individuals involved to the public without first consulting Pink Alpine management.

Participants are responsible for informing themselves about passport, visa and health regulations, as well as any changes to these regulations, before the start of their trip and for complying with them.

Insurance

Personal insurance coverage is the responsibility of each participant.

Cancellation / Termination

For individual trips, the terms and deadlines specified in the offer apply. If these are not stated separately, the following terms and conditions apply.

If you are unable to participate in a tour or offer you have already booked, please inform us immediately. If you provide us with a replacement who participates under the same conditions, you will incur no or minimal rebooking fees. In all other cases, cancellation fees apply as follows:

• Cancellation up to the point of confirmation of the final booking: free of charge.
• Cancellation after confirmation of the final booking and up to at least 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price.
• Cancellation 29 days or less before departure: 100% of the total price.

If you cancel your trip or tour on your own initiative, or fail to appear, no refund will be issued. Pink Alpine recommends taking out travel insurance in advance, which will cover costs in the event of an early return or cancellation.

Liability

Our guides offer you the greatest possible safety, but due to the inherent dangers of the outdoors and the mountains, this can never be absolute. By participating, you acknowledge these risks. Participation is entirely at your own risk. Pink Alpine accepts no liability or responsibility for damages.

Protection of personal data / Data protection

Your personal information will only be used internally by Pink Alpine and in connection with your booked tour or trip.

Pink Alpine places great importance on protecting privacy and the security of stored data. Pink Alpine takes all usual and reasonable measures to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

In principle, the Federal Act on Data Protection (DSG) applies to the processing of personal data. Under certain circumstances, for example, if you access our services from a member state of the European Union, the European General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) may also apply.

Swiss travel industry guarantee fund

Pink Alpine, as a travel provider, participates in the Swiss travel industry’s guarantee fund and guarantees the security of the contributions paid in connection with booking a package tour, as well as your return journey. The guarantee fund is financed through membership fees, annual contributions from participants, and investment returns. The system costs for the statutory travel guarantee are shared by the consumer. Participating tour operators and travel agents charge a contribution on the price of your booked package tour. This amount may be shown explicitly and separately, included in the booking fee, or implicitly factored into the total price of your trip. You can find detailed information here.

Ombudsman

Before resorting to legal action, you should contact the independent Ombudsman of the Swiss travel industry. The Ombudsman strives to find a fair and balanced solution to any problem. Ombudsman of the Swiss travel industry: Etzelstrasse 42, P.O. Box, 8038 Zurich, www.ombudsman-touristik.ch

Applicable law and jurisdiction

Swiss law applies in all cases. The place of jurisdiction is Bern (BE).

Bern, July 2024