Alpine Splendor
Alpine Splendor
Poschiavo near Pontresina
Near Poschiavo
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The Weisshorn
Tea-time in the Alps
Tea-time in the Alps
High above Zermatt
High above Zermatt
Mountain Inn
Mountain Inn
Monte Rosa from Monte Moro
Monte Rosa from Monte Moro Pass
In the heart of the Dolomites
In the heart of the Dolomites
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Alpine Hamlet
Lake of Sils in Autumn
Lake of Sils in Autumn
Matterhorn -- Zermatt
Matterhorn — Zermatt
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Monte Moro Pass
Alpine Trails
-- SINCE 1973 --

- Destination Profiles -

About  ·   2009  ·   2010  ·   Before You Decide  ·   Contact Us


About Alpine Trails

Welcome to our website!

We'd like to tell you a little about ourselves. Organized in 1973, we've managed to stay successfully small and highly personalized. Since that time, Alpine Trails has specialized in hiking and trekking in the Swiss and Italian Alps. Our repeat ratio averages 80-90%.

The number of repeaters — some with more than twenty trips — tells us that we have found a comfortable niche — active outdoor people who also appreciate a high level of creature comforts and "hands on" care while in the mountains. We limit our hiking trips to 12 guests. Our carefully chosen hiking destinations — virtually unknown to Americans — are beloved of experienced European vacationers. We have never aimed at bigness but rather at offering highly personalized trips to a small, appreciative audience.

Probably the most important reason for our unprecedented customer loyalty is Fred Jacobson. Fred personally leads all our trips and has had a fifty year love affair with the Alps, going back to his school days. He was the first American to climb all 4,000-meter peaks of the Swiss Valais and the first American to be awarded a gold medal for lifetime achievement by the Swiss guides. He has hiked more than 30,000 miles throughout Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and France, knowing many of the areas better than most of the locals. He has skied in the Engadine Cross-Country Ski Marathon and has crossed the Alps on skis. Author of numerous articles on the Alps, his book The Meek Mountaineers, won critical acclaim for its refreshing modesty. The Alps have been a way of life for Fred, and his guests benefit from his in-depth knowledge of local customs, food and wine and the people themselves, as well as his familiarity with the mountains and valleys.

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Hiking Program 2010

Soglio (S)   Apr 10 – Apr 22   $3,600

—  More 2010 Hikes to be announced. Check back soon!  —
 

Hiking Program 2009

Sils Maria (S)   Jun 19 – Jul 4   $4,900
Antagnod (I) + Cogne (I)   July 4 – July 19   $3,400
Chamonix (F)   Aug 16 – Aug. 27   $4,000
Matschertal (I) + Vent (A)   Aug 29 – Sep 13   $3,400
Sulden (I) + Karthaus (I)   Sep 12 – Sep 27   $3,500
Zermatt (S)   Sep 29 – Oct 11   $3,200
(A) = Austria   (F) = France   (I) = Italy   (S) = Switzerland


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Swiss Alps Hiking and More


Alpine Trails has something truly special to offer you. On our website, you won't find the fanciest web capabilities, the most overstated language, or a link to our latest web marketing efforts. At Alpine Trails, we don't believe in a lot of hype – instead – we believe that our trips speak for themselves. Our 80 – 90% repeat ratio supports our claim.

If you're interested in highly active, Swiss Alps hiking trips with fine food, you've come to the right place. The French Village of Chamonix provides comparable charms. Alpine Trails has the Swiss, Italian, Austrian, and French Alps hiking experience that you're looking for.

We encourage you to look at each of our hiking programs for the upcoming year. Beginning this year in Soglio, Switzerland and ending with a Zermatt hiking trip, you can decide which trip is right for you by clicking the various links. There, you will find details about each destination, and while we don't use itineraries, we believe the descriptions located there will provide you with an accurate expectation. If you're interested in Switzerland hiking trips, take a look at Soglio, Sils Maria, and Zermatt. Antagnod, Cogne, Matschertal, Sulden, and Karthaus are all Italy hiking trips, and Chamonix and Vent are French and Austrian trips, correspondingly.

As you have read, our guest return rate averages between 80% and 90% for our 35 years in operation. Founded in 1973 and devoted exclusively to hiking in the Alps, at Alpine Trails we believe that small is beautiful, that it allows us to dote on the landscapes and on our guests, and we will be happy to convince you of the same thing.

If you're looking for hiking trips in Austria or you're simply an active person looking to try something new, look to Alpine Trails to book your trip. We encourage you to continue browsing the website for additional information, and as always, feel free to contact us. E-mail Sheila Duigan at alpine.travel@verizon.net.

We look forward to having you.

 

Before You Decide

1. We were the first to offer hiking trips to the Alps and now have 35 years of highly specialized experience. Unlike many larger competitors, the world is not our oyster. What we do, we do consistently and expertly.

2. Many of our trips are to destinations virtually unknown to American hikers, although beloved of experienced European vacationers. Some travel companies employ local guides whose English is far from idiomatic. Being conversant in German, Italian and French, Fred is able to bridge the "culture gap" with an American perspective.

3. Daily itineraries cannot be given ahead of time. Aside from group feedback, weather and trail conditions affect each day's selection. However, we do have profiles on each of our trip destinations, including some of the favorite hikes, which Sheila Duigan will send you upon request, or select a destination from our Hiking Program 2009.

4. We are highly reliable, having cancelled only one trip in our 35 years of operation. Nor do we penalize hikers with two-tier pricing if trips are not fully booked.

5. Our literature is understated. We believe in consistent quality – more product and less hype! Our guests are always surprised by the high level of our accommodations. We spend very little on brochures, catalogs, web sites, postage and advertising – marketing in general – which explains the competitive pricing and high relative value of our trips.

6. Our repeat ratio – a sure sign of customer satisfaction – varies between 80 and 90 percent on virtually all of our trips. Many of our guests have been on 5, 10 and more trips. Because of the breadth of our Alpine offerings, it often happens that few of the guests have hiked with each other. So, newcomers needn't fear being excluded.


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Contact and Information

Given our priority of quality over quantity, openings are limited — so book early!

For more information or to sign on for one of our trips, please contact our trip coordinator Sheila Duigan. She will gladly answer your questions and forward you our literature and destination profiles. Upon request, we can provide references from customers who will share their insights and experiences. Sheila will be happy to pass along your questions to Fred when he is away. When in the States, Fred enjoys speaking with guests — old and new.

If you are intrigued by our "small is beautiful" philosophy and would like to learn more about our trips, please contact:

Sheila Duigan
Alpine Travel, Inc.
P.O. Box 159
White Plains, NY 10605
tel 800-291-8126
fax 914-747-2266
email alpine.travel@verizon.net



About  ·   2009  ·   Before You Decide  ·   Contact Us

Alpine Trails


Sheila Duigan  ·   Alpine Travel, Inc.  ·   tel 800-291-8126

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Antagnod ·  Chamonix ·  Cogne ·  Karthaus ·  Matschertal ·  Sils Maria ·  Soglio ·  Sulden ·  Vent ·  Zermatt
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